Managing Active Directory Backup and Recovery in Server 2022

Posted on 20th June 2023

Managing Active Directory Backup and Recovery in Server 2022

In this article, we’ll take a look at Active Directory backup and recovery in Server 2022. We’ll cover what’s new in Server 2022, how to create a backup, and how to recover from a backup.

What’s New in Server 2022

Active Directory backup and recovery in Server 2022 has been significantly improved. In previous versions of Server, backing up Active Directory was a complex process that required multiple tools and a lot of manual work.

In Server 2022, the process has been simplified and made more reliable. The new Active Directory backup feature in Server 2022 uses Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to create backups of Active Directory databases. This means that Active Directory backups can now be created without interrupting service or taking the domain controller offline.

Creating an Active Directory Backup

Creating an Active Directory backup in Server 2022 is a simple process. To create a backup, open the Server Manager and navigate to the Tools menu. From the Tools menu, select Active Directory Backup.

On the Backup page, select the domain controller that you want to backup. By default, all domain controllers in the domain will be selected. If you only want to backup a specific domain controller, uncheck the box next to the domain controllers that you do not want to include in the backup.

Next, select the backup location. The backup will be created in the location that you select. By default, the backup will be created in the %SystemRoot%NTDS folder.

Finally, select the backup schedule. By default, the backup will be created daily at 2:00 AM. You can change the schedule by clicking the Change Schedule button.

When you have finished configuring the backup, click the Backup Now button to start the backup. The backup will start immediately and will take some time to complete, depending on the size of your Active Directory database.

Recovering from an Active Directory Backup

In the event that you need to recover from an Active Directory backup, the process is just as easy. To recover from a backup, open the Server Manager and navigate to the Tools menu. From the Tools menu, select Active Directory Restore.

On the Restore page, select the backup that you want to restore from. By default, the most recent backup will be selected. If you want to restore from a different backup, click the Change Backup button.

Next, select the domain controller that you want to restore to. By default, the domain controller that you are logged in to will be selected. If you want to restore to a different domain controller, click the Change Domain Controller button.

Finally, select the restore options. By default, all objects will be restored. If you only want to restore specific objects, click the Change Options button.

When you have finished configuring the restore, click the Restore Now button to start the restore. The restore will start immediately and will take some time to complete, depending on the size of your Active Directory database.

When it comes to backing up and recovering Active Directory, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, you need to have a comprehensive backup strategy in place. This should include regular backups of your Active Directory database, as well as any other critical data.

Second, you need to have a plan for how you will restore Active Directory in the event of a disaster. This plan should be tested regularly to ensure that it will work as expected.

Finally, you need to be sure to keep your backups up to date. This means that you should regularly run full backups, as well as incremental backups. By doing this, you can be sure that you will always have a recent backup to use in the event of a disaster.

By following these tips, you can be sure that you have a solid plan in place for backing up and recovering Active Directory.

Overview

Active Directory (AD) is the central repository for all aspects of a company’s network infrastructure. From user accounts and passwords to group membership and security permissions, everything is stored in AD. This makes AD an essential component of any Windows Server-based network.

As such, it is important to ensure that AD is backed up on a regular basis. In the event of a disaster, such as a server crash or data corruption, a backup can be used to restore AD and minimize downtime.

There are a few different ways to back up AD. The most common method is to use the built-in backup tools in Windows Server. However, there are also third-party tools available that can be used to create AD backups.

Backing Up AD with Windows Server Backup

Windows Server Backup is the built-in backup tool in Windows Server. It can be used to create full, incremental, or differential backups of AD.

To create a backup of AD using Windows Server Backup, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Server Backup console.

2. In the left pane, expand the Storage node and select the disk that you want to use for the backup.

3. In the right pane, click the Backup Once link.

4. On the Backup Type page, select the Full Server option and click Next.

5. On the Backup Schedule page, select the When I Click Backup option and click Next.

6. On the Select Components page, select the Active Directory Domain Services check box and click Next.

7. On the Confirmation page, review the backup settings and click Backup.

8. On the Backup Progress page, monitor the progress of the backup.

9. When the backup is complete, click Close.

Backing Up AD with a Third-Party Tool

There are a number of third-party tools available that can be used to create backups of AD. Some of these tools are free, while others must be purchased.

When choosing a third-party backup tool, it is important to select one that is compatible with the version of Windows Server that you are running. It is also important to select a tool that offers features that are suitable for your needs.

Some of the most popular third-party backup tools for Windows Server include:

• Acronis Backup & Recovery 11 Server for Windows
• EaseUS Todo Backup Server
• Iperius Backup
• NTI Backup Now
• ShadowProtect Server

Restoring AD from a Backup

If AD becomes corrupt or damaged, it can be restored from a backup. There are a few different ways to restore AD from a backup.

The most common method is to use the built-in restore tools in Windows Server. However, there are also third-party tools available that can be used to restore AD from a backup.

Restoring AD with Windows Server Backup

To restore AD from a backup using Windows Server Backup, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Server Backup console.

2. In the left pane, expand the Storage node and select the disk that contains the backup.

3. In the right pane, click the Restore link.

4. On the Restore Type page, select the Files and Folders option and click Next.

5. On the Select Items page, select the Active Directory Domain Services check box and click Next.

6. On the Select Location page, select the location to restore the backup to and click Next.

7. On the Confirmation page, review the restore settings and click Restore.

8. On the Restore Progress page, monitor the progress of the restore.

9. When the restore is complete, click Close.

Restoring AD with a Third-Party Tool

There are a number of third-party tools available that can be used to restore AD from a backup. Some of these tools are free, while others must be purchased.

When choosing a third-party restore tool, it is important to select one that is compatible with the version of Windows Server that you are running. It is also important to select a tool that offers features that are suitable for your needs.

Some of the most popular third-party restore tools for Windows Server include:

• Acronis Backup & Recovery 11 Server for Windows
• EaseUS Todo Backup Server
• Iperius Backup
• NTI Backup Now
• ShadowProtect Server