DR Plan advice - Lost Backup Server

I have the following plan for DR, but need some questions answered if possible.

1. Backup the servers to an Acronis Backup server (OS Only)
2. Run Arcserve (our current backup software) to backup the data etc on the servers and also backup the Acronis Backup Server
3. In the event of a DR we have a server offsite, running VMWare.
4. Restore the image files to the server using Arcserve
5. Create virtual machines, and use Acronis Enterprise Universal Restore to restore the "restored" image files to the new servers.
6. Restore the data using Arcserve to the virtual machines.
7. Job done.

My question is, the backups stored on the Backup Server are not .tib files. Would the above plan work, or would I have to restore the Backup Server first (which may be difficult).

I am only using the Backup Server to manage the archives so they don't get out of control. If the above won't work, what is the best way of controlling the archives?


Thanks.

 

Hello daesimps,

Thank you for your interest in Acronis Remote Server Backup Software.

Please accept our apologies for the delay with the response.

We do not recommend backing up Acronis True Image backups or Acronis Backup Server with a third-party backup software, as you might experience difficulties restoring them in the future. Moreover, there is absolutely no point in doing so. Acronis True Image 9.1 Enterprise Server is basically meant to be used in the following way:

- One creates backups either remotely or locally saving them to any supported storage device or Acronis Backup Server;

- If the system crash occurs one boots the computer that needs to be recovered from the Acronis Bootable Rescue Media either locally (e.g. using the Bootable Rescue CD) or remotely (e.g. using the network boot from the Microsoft RIS Server having the standalone version of Acronis True Image) and restore the beforehand created backup.

No other actions are required in order to restore the system to the state it had at the moment when a backup was created.

As for the backups saved to Acronis Backup Server, they are actually .tib files. The only restriction for saving backups to Acronis Backup Server is that one cannot specify the filename. That's because Acronis Backup Server is basically meant for automating the processes of saving and managing the backups. When one restore backups located in Acronis Backup Server they are listed in accordance with their creation dates. One can also provide a comprehensive comment upon the backup creation in order to tell the difference between the resulting backups in the future.

What concerns transferring the Windows system to a virtual machine and vice versa, this can be done with the help of Acronis Universal Restore.

You can find the detailed instructions on how to use Acronis True Image 9.1 Enterprise Server and Acronis Universal Restore in the Acronis True Image 9.1 Enterprise Server User's Guide.

We also recommend that you take a look at the Acronis True Image 9.1 Enterprise Server FAQ page and Acronis Public Knowledge Base.

Please visit Acronis online store to purchase the full version of the product.

Note that we have a flexible system of discounts and the amount of the discount varies depending on the number of copies you want to purchase. In case you are planning to purchase many copies (10 or more), please contact our Sales Team by filling up the Volume License Request form available at the Purchase Acronis Corporate Solutions page of Acronis web site.

If you have any further questions concerning Acronis software, please feel free to submit a request for technical support or post any of them on this forum. We will certainly try to help you in resolving any issues.

Thank you.
--
Alexey Popov

 

Thanks for your reply but I have a few observations:-

We DO need to backup the Acronis Backup Server to allow us to store the information offsite. The DR procedure has to account for our building being destroyed and hence booting of the equipment and restoring from the backup server is not possible. We would have to create a backup server elsewhere and restore the information (i.e. acronis backup files) from tape (which are stored offsite).

The files on the Backup Server are not .tib files - they have a cryptic filename which doesn't end in .tib.

Thanks