Security Updates on Windows 2000 Servers -Best Practices 2

[dprello]

Is it wise to ensure a backup is run on an AD server before applying security patches?

A couple of us were using Windows Update on the AD servers before we ran the backup on the servers. We seem to have no problem with the updates, but one technician informed us a full backup is necessary.

Any input to this thread would be appreciated.

DPRello

 

[packdragon]

What is "necessary" is usually a matter of opinion. It's usually is a good idea to have a backup before installing updates simply because "you never know". It's a precaution against any "what if" that may happen. Sometimes you have to weigh the costs... which is more costly, the time it takes to back everything up or the likelihood that a patch may cause the machine to fail and you have to rebuild the machine? You must also take into account the value of the data that might be lost. Is it "mission critical" data that would be devestating if lost? Or is it mostly stale stuff that hasn't changed in the past week, past month?

Most places have nightly backups, or at least weekly backups. I don't see the necessity of running a whole new backup just so you can install security patches. In my experience, most failures are hardware related -- things that would have happened regardless of whether or not you installed patches. Then again I don't install patches as soon as they come out either. I wait at least a month or two, just to let MS iron out any bugs that might be lurking.

- Zoe, that's ZOH-EEE, get it right please
- Just a little ol' MCP at Solien Technology
-

http://www.solien.com

 

[Seaspray0]

If you have previous backups, you might just do an incremental back or even a differential backup... as long as you know you can recover up to the point of before applying a patch is a great idea.

 

[dprello]

Thank you for your opinions, I appreciate it. In the worst case scenario, we had differential back-ups and the previous weekly up until the day prior to the updates. However, because it was our Month-End, the technician is going to be upset until the weekly full backups run on Friday.