Server Cloud Backup

Securely restore critical components of your domain controller in the event of a system crash or configuration failure using IDrive^® System State Restore. This feature enables complete recovery of essential system data, ensuring system integrity and business continuity.

With IDrive System State Restore, you can recover the following components:

• The Boot file
• The COM+ Class Registration Database
• The Registry
• Boot Configuration Data

If the system is a Domain Controller, the following are also restored:

• Active Directory (NTDS)
• System Volume (SYSVOL)
• DNS Server Configuration

Restore Prerequisites

• Run the restore on the same machine and OS version where the backup was created.
• Ensure the system state backup is stored on a directly accessible local or removable drive (mapped network drives are not supported).
• Launch the restore tool with administrator privileges.
• Complete all pending Windows updates and reboots before starting.
• Ensure sufficient free space is available on the OS drive.

Important Considerations

• Restore must be performed on the same system where the backup was created. Cross-machine restores are not supported. Ensure that the restore is not performed on a different domain name or forest.
• Once initiated, the restore process cannot be paused or canceled to prevent potential system corruption.
• The backup should not be older than half the tombstone lifetime (typically 30 days).
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• Domain Controller restores require booting into Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM).

Restore Instructions

1. Boot the system into Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM).
2. Log in using the DSRM administrator account.
3. Launch the restore tool as an administrator.
4. Browse and select the 'IDSystemStateData' backup folder.
   
5. Click 'Restore Now' and confirm the action.
6. Once completed, reboot into normal mode.

Boot Instructions - Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM)

Method 1: Using msconfig (Windows GUI)

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Go to the ‘Boot’ tab.
3. Check ‘Safe Boot’, then select ‘Active Directory Repair’.
4. Click ‘OK’, and select ‘Restart’.
   The system restarts in DSRM (Safe Mode with Active Directory repair).
   
   

Method 2: Using Advanced Boot Options

1. Restart the machine and access the ‘Advanced Boot menu’.
2. Navigate to ‘Troubleshoot’ > ‘Advanced Options’ > ‘Startup Settings’ > ‘Restart’.
3. From the menu, select ‘Directory Services Repair Mode (DSRM)’.
   
   

Login

• Log in using the DSRM administrator account:

  Username: .\Administrator

  Password: The DSRM password configured during Domain Controller promotion (or updated later using ntdsutil).

After login, navigate to the System State Restore tool and launch the application.

Disclaimer

• Restore may fail due to dissimilar hardware, boot errors, or system-specific issues.
• A successful backup does not guarantee a successful restore under all conditions.