Exam 70-290 - Automated System Recovery

One of the exam objectives covered on exam 70-290 Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment is Perform system recovery for a server. In other words, you need to know the different options available to recover a server in the event of failure. One such option is Automated System Recovery or ASR.

First of all you need to know how to create the ASR backup set. You can create it by following the steps listed below:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and click Backup.

2. Click the Automated System Recovery button.
3. Click Next.
4. Select a destination for the backup and a filename.
5. Click Finish.
6. Insert a blank, formatted floppy disk.

   The information that is stored on the ASR floppy always includes the following:

   • Registry

   • COM+ Class Registration database
   • Boot files, including system files
   • System files that are under Windows File Protection

   Now an important point that you need to remember when taking the exam, is that the system state may include additional components, depending on how your server is configured as described below.

7. Certificate server - the system state will also include the Certificate Services database
8. Domain - the system state will include the Active Directory directory service
9. Domain Controller - the system state will include the SYSVOL directory
10. Cluster node - the system state will include the cluster service information
11. IIS - the system state will include the IIS Metadirectory of the service is installed.

    You also need to know what to do with the ASR floppy in the event of server failure. By following the steps below you can use the ASR backup and floppy disk to restore the system to the state it was when these components were created.

    1. Insert the Windows Server 2003 installation CD-ROM. If prompted, press any key to boot from the CD-ROM.

    2. When prompted, press F2 to run Automated System Recovery (ASR).
    3. Insert the ASR floppy disk.
    4. Once the computer reboots, the Automated System Recovery wizard will start.
    5. Confirm the location of the disk backup-file.
    6. Once the process is complete, verify that all data and settings have been restored.

    In order to completely understand how the process works, I would highly recommend practicing both processes - creating the ASR backup set and using it to restore a system. If you are comfortable performing these tasks and know what information is included with the System State, you should have no problem answering the exam questions.