EMC Networker Test Authoritative Restore

Question

Hello!

We have a test Virtual (VMWare) AD environment that we use to test schema changes and other AD modifications prior to deploying them in our production environment. We perform test restores of AD (our Domain Controllers - Win Server 2008 R2) using Windows Server backup and restore objects etc. Is it possible to test our EMC Networker backups? What I mean is can we use Networker to restore AD Data to our test environment to check its integrity? Would we need a test EMC Networker Environment to do this or can we use our existing infrastructure to do this? We would like to be able to perform a test full virtual DC recovery AND Authoritative AD Restore but obviously we wouldn't want to do this in our Production Environment.

thanks

Steve

ribosom1 · Accepted Answer

Steve, we are doing just that by creating a completely isolated environment. The server data to be restored is replicated from production side VTL to the test environment VTL on the same DataDomain box. Then we scan the tapes in the test environment using a separate Networker server and restore from there. Works fine so far, although it does take some extra time.

tech88kur · Answer

I believe your test and production networks are totally different. If they are then it must possess no impact for test restore. Because restores AD will start updating the other AD objects in the domain, so I would suggest you to perfom a restore only if the environments are separate

SteveMenzies · Answer

HI there!

Thanks for the feedback. What I want to do is test an Authoritative Restore. To do this I want to isolate the recovered server from the production environment. That way I can test the integrity of the backup. Is this possible?

thanks

Steve

tech88kur · Answer

Hi Steve,

It is possible to isolate it from production environment

On the NetWorker client domain controller, close all programs and restart Windows.

When the computer restarts, a list of startup choices appears. The startup choices and

the duration of the startup display are based on the settings in the operating systems

section and the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Store in Windows Server 2008.

3. Select the Windows Boot option for the domain controller.

4. Press F8 to display a list of special boot options.

5. Select Directory Service Restore Mode (Windows Domain Controllers only) from the list

of special boot options. When you start Windows in this mode, Active Directory is

taken offline

Note: Please do not try this in production environment. Recovered AD will start updating the AD objects

Alternate : Create a network which does not have any communication link with production environment and only then try this testing.

Hope it helps

SteveMenzies · Answer

Thanks for your help guys! This gives me options to try out.

NetWorker

EMC Networker Test Authoritative Restore

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