Home Forums Discussions IT, Networking, PCs and more When is the last time you tested your backups?

And when I mean test, I mean actually restore your backup to a different server.

This is a worthwhile test because in most situations when you restore backups, it will be to a different server. Also, when is the last time you upgraded your backup software? Is it even a supported version?

And, are your backups virtual machine backups (meaning you back up from the hyper-visor) or are they bare metal backups? Note that even if you are virtualized, if your backup software runs inside the VM that is still bare metal. And bare metal sucks.

Have your IT support bring in a different server and restore your backups. See if they work. You should be able to log on to this server and see yesterday's charts in AC and the appropriate balance in QuickBooks and so on. Anything less and you do NOT have backups.

Once or twice a year I choose a client at random and restore their offsite backups to one of my servers and have them look around. I do enjoy that "5 year old in a candy store" sound they make when they realize I really can save their bacon if the solid waste makes contact with the air acceleration device.

Test. Your. Backups. Do a restore to a different server.

JamesNT

Hi James,

You mean that "wishing and hoping" is not the best strategy for backups?

Always appreciate your input.

Thanks

Gene

HMMMM, last time I tried the back up was when the server/computer burnt itself up overnight. A/C guardian support got us back up and running off of the offsite backup. THANK GOODNESS! I think a trial run is a great idea just don't seem to take the time to do what I know is right, sound like a patient now!

Every year at the start of hurricane season we create the hurricane laptop that can run the entire practice from a laptop! Then restore the latest backups when a hurricane threatens.

When I suggested at an advisor board session that I wanted to be able to restore from a back up as a security measure, I was told by Chris Conrad that this was totally unnecessary and not something I should worry about. He said it was "not any sort of industry standard".

I had the idea you couldn't really do that, because you can't use a different server without calling AC to get some kind of code for the new machine. Won't be very helpful if a storm knocks out all the phones and internet.

@JBS: You may want to start taking IT advice from someone other than Conrad.

@Tomastoria: That's why your AC server should be virtualized. Your VM can move from one server to the next with ease.

JamesNT

James --
My server is running ServerEssentials 2016.
Can I make an image of that and then run that in a VM on the same server box I am using now?

@Tom Duncan,

First: Make sure you have backups that work.

Second: Go to this website and download the free Disk2VHD tool. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/disk2vhd

Third: On your server, shut down services such as Amazing Charts, SQL Server, and QuickBooks. Any service that writes to a database.

Fourth: Connect a USB drive that has more room than you server's hard drive. At least 500GB more.

Fifth: Run the free tool you downloaded. Choose use VHDX file. Choose use Volume Shadow service. Select your USB drive as the destination and provide a file name such as MYSERVER.VHDX.

Sixth: Wait what could be a few hours for the tool to make an exact replica of your hard disk to a VHDX file on the USB drive.

Seventh: When complete, install Windows Server 2019 Standard on your server. Fully patch it and name it appropriately. Install the Hyper-V role.

Eighth: Make a folder on the C drive of your server called Virtual Machines. In that folder make a new folder called 2016Essentials. Copy the VHDX file from the USB drive to there.

Ninth: In Hyper-V, create a new virtual machine and point it to the previously created folder. Be certain to choose the option of adding a VHD file later.

Tenth: Edit the settings of the new virtual machine. Add processors, RAM, etc. as needed. Add the VHDX file you just copied as the C drive of the virtual machine.

Eleventh: Try starting the new virtual machine. If it comes up, be sure to set IP settings and so forth as any settings it had it will have been lost.

Twelfth: Check the event logs for any errors. Ensure the DFSR and AD event logs give the all clear and that Active Directory is functioning properly.

Notes: Have your installation CD or other media handy. It may be necessary to rebuild the boot partition of the VM using recovery tools if the VM does not boot.

Notes: The above steps do leave out some details. I typed this up from memory while I was waiting for something else to install. It's not like I went to my lab and performed this operation just for the sole purpose of writing these instructions.

Notes: If you've never done this before, DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. These instructions are to let you know that what you ask can be done and that I've done it before and to give you an idea of what's involved. These instructions are not the end-all-be-all definitive guide to the cosmos.

Notes: I highly recommend setting the VM up on a test server and making sure it works before wiping your production server. That way, you can always try again as many times as you want. The Disk2VHD tool makes no changes to your server. But once you wipe your server and install Windows Server 2019, you better have things working with the VM as that is your point of no return.

Notes: You may use Essentials as a Hyper-V host by installing Windows Server Essentials from media. But no other role may be on the host other than Hyper-V. You then install full Essentials as a virtual machine.

Notes: I actually recommend that you migrate away from Essentials rather than trying to maintain it.

Notes: I do not support hypervisors other than Hyper-V. If you wish to do the same thing but with VMWare or another Hypervisor, good luck.

JamesNT

James -- thanks so much.
It looks complicated, but manageable.
I rather look forward to such a project, and my major hesitation is that I am planning to retire at the end of next year.
I thought I could just run my existing copy of Server Essentials as the host -- it is supposed to have Hyper-V-- and run a VM on that.
That isn't what you detailed -- and having to buy the Server Standard and CALS seems like it might be quite an expense.

Tom Duncan

@Tom Duncan,

I would like to correct one thing I said. With Windows Server 2016 Essentials, you can use the Essentials media to install a Hyper-V host - with no other roles - then install full Essentials as a virtual machine. There is no need to purchase Windows Server Standard. That was true with previous versions of Windows Essentials, but MS updated licensing after an outcry from the community. I have updated my above reply to reflect. My apologies.

I don't usually support Windows Essentials. Since 2016, most people moved away from it after MS started deprecating some of the remote access and other features.

Keep in mind that if you decide to do this project on your own, you are taking some serious risk especially if you don't have a test server to try the VM on before wiping your production server. Make certain you have viable backups.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server-essentials/get-started/what-s-new-19

James

Thanks James.
I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do.
My Essentials program has been messed with by a couple of IT people and the features that make it the simple program that it was in previous versions have been taken away.
Now the server won't recognize certain of my clients as part of the domain, and I can only connect them as peer-to-peer.

But it works pretty well, and I'm not sure I want to completely redo the server (unless you would want to take on that project, and it didn't cost too much.

I never used the Essentials remote access -- I used port forwarding in the router for Remote Desktop -- but then I got a new router and I can't figure out how to make the Port Forwarding work -- they call it something else. So I now use Splashtop, which works OK (RD was better).

However, I'm retiring in a year, so probably I won't do anything.

@Tom Duncan,

If you are retiring that soon, I would probably stay the course if possible. Hard to justify cost in redoing a server if it's not going to be around much longer.

JamesNT

Good thing you couldn't figure out port forwarding. Straight RDP port forward is kinda dangerous - like leaving your front door with a flimsy lock sitting on a dark alley. I assume splashtop is more secure. But remember teamviewer ( similar remote view program) had a major hack a few years back - bad guys were able to login to any system using teamviewer.

I used to use Essentials remote web access until Microsoft "essentially" stopped supporting it. Certificates would expire with no way to renews them. Took some learning but better solution is below:

I now use a VPN via openvpn protocol setup from my router (pfsense opensource router - great but has learning curve) to my off-site computer. Takes a bit of doing but very fast and stable. Then you can run RDP as if you were in the office over the VPN. Or if you like open AC on your laptop as if you were on the office network.

In my mind servers over the last 5-10 years really didn't get much faster. I'm waiting for the next generation of server CPUs with massive cache combined with faster SSDs and faster memory. Should make a big difference... if not held back by application "inefficiencies". JamesNT previously hinted at an explanation of such inefficiency. So I'm asking: James is the next gen server hardware gonna be worth it for us small guys running AC server and a simple domain?

Question: Is the next gen server hardware gonna be worth it for us small guys running AC server and a simple domain?

Answer: It depends. Using five year old SSD drives and refurbished servers today you can get impressive speeds out of AC and most other applications for pennies on the dollar that many practices on this forum will find more than acceptable. The new stuff coming out does have some impressive specs, no doubt about it. Very impressive, indeed. But unless you just feel that bleeding "need for speed" and have to have the absolute best, I won't be recommending brand new servers to most of the practices on this forum for the simple fact that brand new means blowing past the $10,000 marker for most setups JUST FOR THE SERVER, not counting Windows and other equipment. Hard to recommend for a single/dual provider practice. But if you want the new stuff, I'll certainly oblige.

JamesNT

This is truly the case. We got this setup from James about 3 months ago and it is FAST!

Gene

I'm still running server from 2014 with a decent xeon processor, decent amount of ram + of course the SSD made the biggest difference.

Sounds like unlikely to see much difference with fancy new stuff for us small guys.

Thanks for the opinion!

A better way to look at the situation might be like this.

You are on your way to the beach to hang out with friends. You need to take two kegs of beer with you. Here are your choices:

* A used 2015 Ford F-150 truck with about 60,000 miles on it for $30,000. Truck is in good shape with a scratch or two here and there. Truck comes with a 1 year replacement warranty so if it breaks, the dealership just takes it back and gives you another truck used truck.

* A brand new 2022 Ford F-150 truck with all the latest features. It's engine has 200 more horsepower than the 2015 yet gets 8 more miles to the gallon thanks to the latest engine tech. Comes with heads-up display that illuminates across the windshield like in the movies, built-in GPS, 5.1 surround sound AM/FM/USB/DVD/XM radio. And pretty much anything else you can think of including the kitchen sing. $95,000.

Remember, you just taking 2 kegs of beer to a party at the beach with friends. How much truck do you need?

JamesNT

Agree with DocGene. James just installed our new server / networking system and it's very fast.

@DocGene and @Serene: Thank you both for the most kind words.

JamesNT