Acronis True Image Enterprise Server - 9.1 User's Guide

User’s Guide

Acronis True Image 9.1

Enterprise Server

Manager, “Acronis Secure Zone” and the Acronis logo are trademarks of Acronis, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and copyrights referred to are the property of th eir respectiv e o wners. Distribution of substantively modified versions of this document is prohibited without the

explicit permission of the copyright holder. Distribution of this work or derivative work in any standard (paper) book form for

commercial purposes is prohibited unless prior permission is obtained from the copyright holder.

DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED «AS IS» AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE DISCLAIMED, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH DISCLAIMERS ARE HELD TO BE LEGALLY INVALID.

END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

BY ACCEPTING, YOU (ORIGINAL PURCHASER) INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ACCEPT THE PRODUCT UNDER THESE TERMS, YOU CAN CHOOSE NOT TO ACCEPT BY SELECTING "I decline..." AND NOT INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE.

2007. All rights are reserved. The ORIGINAL PURCHASER is granted a LICENSE to use the software only, subject to the following restrictions and limitations.

1. The license is to the original purchaser only, and is not transferable without prior written permission from Acronis.

2. The original purchas er can use the software on a single computer. You cannot use the software on more than a single machine, even if you own or lease all of them, without the written consent of Acronis.

3. The original purchaser cannot engage in, nor permit third parties to engage in, any of the following:

A. Providing or permitting use of by, or transferring the software to, third parties. B. Providing use of the software in a computer service business, network, timesharing or

multiple user arrangement to users who are not individually licensed by Acronis. C. Making alterations or copies of any kind in the software (except as specifically

permitted above). D. Attempting to unassemble, decompile or reverse-engineer the software in any way. E. Granting sublicenses, leases, or other rights in the software to others. F. Making copies, or verbal or media translations, of the users guide. G. Making telecommunication data transmission of the software. Acronis has the right to terminate this license if there is a violation of its terms or default by

the original purchaser. Upon termination for any reason, all copies of the software must be immediately returned to Acronis, and the original purchaser shall be liable to Acronis for any and all damages suffered as a result of the violation or default.

ENTIRE RISK

THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS WITH YOU THE PURCHASER. Acronis DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE OR ITS FUNCTIONS WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE OR THAT ANY DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED.

NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN NO EVENT SHALL Acronis OR ITS VENDORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR THE LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF Acronis HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

SOFTWARE USAGE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Under current legislation, the «License Agreement» is considered a contract between you and Acronis Inc. The contract is a legal document and its violation may result in legal action. Illegal use and/or distribution of this software will be prosecuted.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction...........................................................................................

1.1 Acronis® True Image Enterprise Server – a complete solution for corporate users..................8

1.2 Acronis True Image Enterprise Server Architecture...............................................................9

1.3 License policy .................................................................................................................10

1.4 New in Acronis True Image 9.1 Enterprise Server ..............................................................10

1.5 System requirements and supported media....................................................................... 11

1.5.1 Minimum system requirements .................................................................................. 11

1.5.2 Supported operating systems.....................................................................................11

1.5.3 Supported file systems..............................................................................................12

1.5.4 Supported storage media ..........................................................................................13

1.6 Technical support............................................................................................................13

Chapter 2. Acronis True Image Enterprise Server installation and starting.........14

2.1 Installing Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components..............................................14

2.1.1 Installation of Acronis True Image Enterprise Server local version and Acronis True Image

Agent for Windows.............................................................................................................

2.1.2 Installation of Acronis True Image Agent for Linux.......................................................15

2.1.3 Installation of Acronis Group Server ...........................................................................15

2.1.4 Acronis Backup Server installation and setup............................................................... 15

2.1.5 Acronis Universal Restore installation..........................................................................15

2.2 Extracting Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components.............................................16

2.3 Setting up security parameters for Acronis True Image Enterprise Server.............................16

2.3.1 Usernames and passwords........................................................................................16

2.3.2 Firewall setup...........................................................................................................17

2.4 Running Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components................................................17

2.4.1 Running Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (local version) ...................................... 17

2.4.2 Running Acronis True Image Management Console......................................................17

2.4.3 Running other Acronis components............................................................................ 17

2.5 Removing Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components.............................................18

Chapter 3. General information and proprietary Acronis technologies ................19

3.1 The difference between file archives and disk/partition images ........................................... 19

3.2 Full, incremental and differential backups.......................................................................... 19

3.3 Acronis Secure Zone........................................................................................................ 20

3.4 Acronis Startup Recovery Manager ...................................................................................21

3.4.1 How it works............................................................................................................21

3.4.2 How to use .............................................................................................................. 21

3.5 Acronis Backup Server..................................................................................................... 21

3.5.1 Backup locations, their quotas and time limits.............................................................22

3.5.2 Quotas and time limits for computers and users..........................................................22

3.5.3 Administrator profiles and User profiles.......................................................................22

3.5.4 Operations with archives........................................................................................... 23

3.6 Acronis Snap Restore.......................................................................................................23

3.6.1 Limitations in using Acronis Snap Restore................................................................... 23

3.6.2 How it works............................................................................................................23

3.6.3 How to use .............................................................................................................. 24

3.7 Acronis Universal Restore.................................................................................................24

3.7.1 Acronis Universal Restore purpose..............................................................................24

3.7.2 Acronis Universal Restore general principles................................................................ 25

3.7.3 Acronis Universal Restore and Microsoft Sysprep.........................................................25

3.7.4 Using Acronis Universal Restore in virtual environment ................................................26

3.7.5 Limitations in using Acronis Universal Restore............................................................. 26

3.7.6 Getting Acronis Universal Restore...............................................................................26

3.8 Using dynamic disks and volumes..................................................................................... 26

3.9 Backing up to tape drive.................................................................................................. 27

3.10 Viewing disk and partition information.............................................................................27

Chapter 4. Using Acronis True Image Management Console................................29

4.1 General information.........................................................................................................29

4.2 Installing/updating Acronis components on a remote machine............................................ 29

4.3 Managing a single remote computer.................................................................................30

4.3.1 Connecting to a remote computer..............................................................................30

4.3.2 Backup and recovery tasks........................................................................................ 31

4.4 Managing groups of computers ........................................................................................32

4.4.1 Group server management........................................................................................32

4.4.2 Creating new group backup tasks...............................................................................34

4.4.3 Group tasks management..........................................................................................36

4.5 Managing backup server.................................................................................................. 36

4.5.1 Default settings........................................................................................................37

4.5.2 Set up Administrator profiles......................................................................................38

4.5.3 Adding Users and Administrators to Acronis Backup Server database.............................39

4.5.4 Changing User profiles..............................................................................................40

4.5.5 Configuring Backup Locations.................................................................................... 41

4.5.6 Managing Archives.................................................................................................... 42

Chapter 5. Using Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (local version) ..............43

5.1 Main program window.....................................................................................................43

5.2 Managing a local computer.............................................................................................. 45

Chapter 6. Creating backup archives ....................................................................47

6.1 Backing up files and folders (file backup) ..........................................................................47

6.2 Backing up disks and partitions (image backup)................................................................. 51

6.3 Setting backup options.................................................................................................... 52

6.3.1 Archive protection.....................................................................................................53

6.3.2 Source files exclusion................................................................................................ 53

6.3.3 Pre/post commands..................................................................................................53

6.3.4 Database support .....................................................................................................54

6.3.5 Compression level..................................................................................................... 55

6.3.6 Backup performance.................................................................................................55

6.3.7 Fast incremental/differential backup...........................................................................56

6.3.8 Archive splitting........................................................................................................56

6.3.9 File-level security settings..........................................................................................57

6.3.10 Media components..................................................................................................57

6.3.11 Additional settings...................................................................................................58

Chapter 7. Restoring the backup data ..................................................................59

7.1 Restore under Windows or boot from CD?......................................................................... 59

7.1.1 Network settings in rescue mode ...............................................................................59

7.2 Restoring files and folders from file archives...................................................................... 60

7.3 Restoring disks/partitions or files from images................................................................... 63

7.3.1 Starting the Restore Data Wizard...............................................................................63

7.3.2 Archive selection.......................................................................................................63

7.3.3 Restoration type selection .........................................................................................64

7.3.4 Selecting a disk/partition to restore............................................................................ 65

7.3.5 Selecting a target disk/partition..................................................................................65

7.3.6 Changing the restored partition type ..........................................................................66

7.3.7 Changing the restored partition file system................................................................. 67

7.3.8 Changing the restored partition size and location.........................................................67

7.3.9 Assigning a letter to the restored partition ..................................................................68

7.3.10 Restoring several disks or partitions at once..............................................................68

7.3.11 Using Acronis Universal Restore............................................................................... 68

7.3.12 Setting restore options............................................................................................ 69

7.3.13 Restoration summary and executing restoration ........................................................ 69

7.4 Setting restore options ....................................................................................................70

7.4.1 Files to exclude from restoration................................................................................70

7.4.2 Files overwriting mode.............................................................................................. 70

7.4.3 Pre/post commands..................................................................................................71

7.4.4 Restoration priority...................................................................................................71

7.4.5 File-level security settings..........................................................................................71

7.4.6 Specifying mass storage drivers................................................................................. 71

7.4.7 Additional settings ....................................................................................................72

Chapter 8. Scheduling tasks..................................................................................73

8.1 Creating scheduled tasks................................................................................................. 73

8.1.1 Setting up daily execution ......................................................................................... 74

8.1.2 Setting up weekly execution......................................................................................75

8.1.3 Setting up monthly execution.....................................................................................76

8.1.4 Setting up one-time execution...................................................................................76

8.2 Managing scheduled tasks ...............................................................................................77

Chapter 9. Managing Acronis Secure Zone ...........................................................78

9.1 Creating Acronis Secure Zone...........................................................................................78

9.2 Resizing Acronis Secure Zone...........................................................................................80

9.3 Changing the password for Acronis Secure Zone................................................................81

9.4 Deleting Acronis Secure Zone...........................................................................................81

Chapter 10. Creating bootable media ...................................................................82

10.1 Creating Acronis rescue media........................................................................................82

10.2 Creating Win PE ISO with Acronis True Image Enterprise Server ....................................... 84

Chapter 11. Other operations................................................................................85

11.1 Validating backup archives.............................................................................................85

11.2 Operation results notification..........................................................................................85

11.2.1 Email notification.................................................................................................... 85

11.2.2 WinPopup notification..............................................................................................86

11.3 Viewing logs .................................................................................................................87

11.4 Event tracing ................................................................................................................88

11.4.1 Windows event log..................................................................................................88

11.4.2 SNMP notifications.................................................................................................. 88

11.5 Managing System Restore..............................................................................................88

Chapter 12. Mounting an image as a virtual drive ................................................90

12.1 Mounting an image........................................................................................................90

12.2 Unmounting an image ...................................................................................................92

Chapter 13. Transferring the system to a new disk ..............................................93

13.1 General information....................................................................................................... 93

13.2 Security........................................................................................................................94

13.3 Executing transfers........................................................................................................94

13.3.1 Selecting Clone mode..............................................................................................94

13.3.2 Selecting source disk...............................................................................................94

13.3.3 Selecting destination disk ........................................................................................95

13.3.4 Partitioned destination disk...................................................................................... 96

13.3.5 Old and new disk partition layout .............................................................................96

13.3.6 Old disk data..........................................................................................................96

13.3.7 Destroying the old disk data.....................................................................................97

13.3.8 Selecting partition transfer method........................................................................... 98

13.3.9 Partitioning the old disk........................................................................................... 99

13.3.10 Old and new disk partition layouts..........................................................................99

13.3.11 Cloning summary................................................................................................ 100

13.4 Cloning with manual partitioning................................................................................... 100

13.4.1 Old and new disk partition layouts.......................................................................... 100

Chapter 14. Adding a new hard disk ...................................................................102

14.1 Selecting a hard disk ................................................................................................... 102

14.2 Creating new partitions................................................................................................ 102

14.3 Disk add summary....................................................................................................... 103

Chapter 15. Command-line mode and scripting..................................................104

15.1 Working in the command-line mode.............................................................................. 104

15.1.1 Supported commands............................................................................................ 104

15.1.2 Common options (options common for most trueimagecmd commands).................... 106

15.1.3 Specific options (options specific for individual trueimagecmd commands)................. 107

15.1.4 trueimagecmd.exe usage examples........................................................................ 111

15.1.5 Command-line mode usage under DOS................................................................... 113

15.2 Scripting..................................................................................................................... 113

15.2.1 Script execution parameters................................................................................... 113

15.2.2 Script structure..................................................................................................... 113

15.2.3 Script usage examples........................................................................................... 114

Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1 Acronis® True Image Enterprise Server – a complete solution for corporate users

You have come to rely on your servers to run your business and retain key enterprise data. Acronis True Image Enterprise Server provides comprehensive, reliable, and cost-effective system backup and recovery for systems and entire networks. With Acronis True Image Enterprise Server you have peace of mind knowing you are protected and can recover from any situation.

Minimizes downtime

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server enables you to restore systems in minutes, not hours or days. An entire system can be restored from an image that includes everything the system needs to run: the operating system, applications, databases, and configurations. No reinstallation or reconfiguration is required. Moreover, complete system restoration can be performed to an existing system or to a new system with different hardware or to virtual machines. With the new Acronis Snap Restore feature, users can access a system during restore, further decreasing downtime. File-based backups provide you with the flexibility to only backup specific critical files.

Eases Administration

Wizards guide users through backup and recovery tasks, ensuring the product can be implemented with minimal user training. A central management console provides remote administration, ensuring that all systems in the network, regardless of your domain and workgroup structure, can be managed from one location. Complete, unattended restores from remote locations are supported with a remote bootable agent.

Automates Backup

With the scheduling capability in Acronis True Image Enterprise Server, you simply create backup tasks, tailored by group, at certain times or at certain events, automating backups.

To ensure that backups have occurred, or user intervention is required, you can request notifications via email or pop-up. You can view Acronis events in Windows Application Events Log or Acronis own log. Log messages can be automatically sent out to SNMP clients.

The product also supports the creation of custom commands before and after backups. For example, users can automatically run anti-virus products before an image is created and verify the validity of backups after they have been created.

Ensures 24 X 7 Uptime

With the Acronis Drive Snapshot, systems can be imaged while they are in use, supporting 24 by 7 availability. This technology enables the product to backup and image critical operating system files, the master boot record and any partition-based boot records without requiring a reboot. A CPU allocation feature allows you to limit the amount of CPU usage for the application to maximize the CPU’s availability for mission critical applications. Moreover, users can control hard disk drive writing speeds and control network bandwidth used during backups, allowing minimal disruption of business operations.

A several-second database suspension is provided for correct backup of mission critical applications such as Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle with support VSS. If your database or operating system does not support VSS, Acronis True Image Enterprise Server will execute your custom commands to realize database suspension.

Supports Cutting Edge Technology

Businesses today are moving to leverage the latest technologies, dual -core 64 bit processors and 64 bit operating systems. With Acronis True Image Enterprise Server, you can protect these new machines, as well as legacy ones, running one solution.

Leverages Existing Technology Investments

The product can leverage your current storage infrastructur e by supporting a wide variety of storage media, so you can avoid costly hardware purchases to implement the solution. The product supports key storage technologies such as: Direct Attached St orage (DAS), Network Attached Storage (NAS), Storage Area Networks (SAN), Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks (RAID) devices, tapes, USB and IEEE-1394 (FireWire) compliant storage devices, CDs, DVDs, removable drives (Floppy, Zip, etc.) and shared storage. Moreover, the product ensures that you maximize the space on these resources with four levels of compression.

Disk cloning and new disk deployment

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server can be used to clone an image onto multiple servers. For example, a company purchased several servers and needs similar environments on each of them. Traditionally, an IT manager should install the operating s ystem and programs on every server. With Acronis True Image Enterprise Server , the IT manager can create a disk image of the first system deployed. That image can then be duplicated onto multiple servers.

If you need to upgrade the server hard disk drive, Acronis True Image Enterprise Server simplifies the task to few mouse clicks creating the exact copy of your old disk t o a new one and adjusting partitions size to fit a new hard disk.

1.2 Acronis True Image Enterprise Server Architecture

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server includes the following components.

1. Acronis True Image Management Console – a tool for managing data backup/restore on a local network from a single location. Facilities include remote program components installation, managing computer groups (via Acronis Group Server) and backup archives (via Acronis Backup Server), scheduling individual and group backup tasks, remote data recovery, checking backup archives, setting backup/restore options on remote computers.

2. Acronis True Image Agent – an application, enabling remote managing of data backup/restore on a networked computer from Acronis True Image Management Console. Acronis True Image Enterprise Server includes Acronis True Image Agent for Windows (to be installed on Windows-based systems) and Acronis True Image Agent for Linux (to be installed on Linux platform). The Agents operate in a similar way, the only difference visible to user concerns the way of installation.

3. Acronis Backup Server – when installed on a networked computer, automatically manages backup archives, stored on this computer, in accordance with the rules, set by an administrator.

4. Acronis Group Server – when installed on a networked computer, allows managing and monitoring of group backup tasks on all networked computers in real time.

5. Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (local version) – a component for backup/restore management on a local server. Facilities include scheduling backup tasks, data recovery, exploring backup archives, cloning hard disks data and formatti ng partitions on new hard disks, command-line mode and scripts execution.

6. Acronis Universal Restore – an option to Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (a separately sold plug-in), enabling Windows to be recovered from an image created on different hardware.

7. Acronis Bootable Rescue Media Builder - creat es bootable media, its ISO image or RIS packages enabling data recovery in case of non-Windows or corrupted operating system.

1.3 License policy

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server licensing is based on the number of servers on which Acronis True Image Agent and/or Acronis True Image Enterprise Server local version are to be installed. This means you need one license for each server you are going to backup, whether you will control it on-site (with the local program version) or remotely (using Acronis True Image Agent), or use both ways of control. The number of Acronis True Image Management Console, Acronis Group Server and Acronis Backup Server installations is not counted.

Acronis Universal Restore is an option to Acronis True Image Enterprise Server and has its own serial number.

1.4 New in Acronis True Image 9.1 Enterprise Server

• Support for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions

• Direct backup to DVD and bootable DVD creation

• Support for GPT hard disks (disks with GUID partition table)

• Acronis Backup Server – This software application, when installed on a networked

computer, automatically manages backup archives, stored on this computer, in accordance with the rules, set by an administrator

• Acronis Group Server – When installed on a networked computer, allows managing and monitoring of group backup tasks on all networked computers in real time

• Acronis True Image Agent for Linux – Remote backup/restore of Linux-based systems

• Back up to/restore from FTP servers

• Acronis Snap Restore – A user can start working in seconds while the system is still

being restored

• Acronis Universal Restore (optional) – Hardware-independent live system restore

• File-level backup and recovery, including files opened in exclusive usage mode - In

addition to an entire partition/system backup

• Differential backup – Backup only the changes made since the full backup

• Fast incremental/differential backup – Users can choose to compare files with their

archived copies by date/size (fast process) or by file contents (precise, but timeconsuming process)

• Files and folders backup/restore filtering – Saves space when creating file backups by only backing up files of the types the users want to keep. Similarly, a user can tell the program not to restore certain files from the file archive

• Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) support (for Windows 2003 Server and higher) – Easily backup VSS compatible databases (Exchange, Oracle, SQL Server) without taking databases offline and ensuring data consistency

• Pre/post backup/restore commands – Users can specify their own commands which will be executed before and after the backup or restore process. For example, one might want to remove some temporary files from the disk before starting a backup or configure a third party antivirus product to be started each time before the backup starts

• User-editable default backup options – Users can configure and save backup parameters, such as backup performance (hard disk writing speed, network bandwidth during backups), validate backup archive after backup completion, file-level security settings (preserving files’ security settings in the archive, storing encrypted files in encrypted or decrypted state)

• User-editable default restore options – Users can configure and save restore parameters, such as files overwriting mode, the original or current date and time for restored files etc.

• Read-write mode of mounting images

• Bootable backup media – When backing up to removable media, users can make this

media bootable in the same manner as a rescue CD, so s eparate recover media is not required

• Bootable disks ISOs and RIS packages – In addition to burning a bootable rescue disk, users can save its ISO image for burning later, or create a RIS package for remote boot of Acronis True Image Enterprise Server

• Acronis Bootable Agent – Adding this Agent to the rescue disk or RIS package will enable the administrator to manage the remote computer, booted from this disk/RISserver, with Acronis True Image Management Console. Thus, they can restore unattended systems, including blade servers, from remote locations

• Windows Event Log and SNMP support – Store event log messages, issued by Acronis True Image Enterprise Server, to Windows Event Log or send them to SNMP clients

• Manage System Restore tool (for Windows 2003 Server and higher) – Turn on/off the Windows native System Restore tool directly from Acronis True Image Enterprise Server

• Context Help

1.5 System requirements and supported media

1.5.1 Minimum system requirements

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server requires the following hardware:

• Pentium processor or higher

• 256MB RAM

• FDD or CD-RW drive for bootable media creation

• Mouse (recommended).

1.5.2 Supported operating systems

Acronis True Image Management Console

• Windows 98/Me

• Windows NT 4.0 Workstation SP6/2000 Professional SP4/XP Professional SP2

• Windows NT 4.0 Server SP6/2000 Server/2000 Advanced Server/2003 Server

• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

• Windows Vista all Editions (except for installation of Acronis components on remote

machines running Vista)

Acronis True Image Agent for Windows

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server

Acronis Backup Server

Acronis Group Server

• Windows NT 4.0 Workstation SP6/2000 Professional SP4/XP Professional SP2

• Windows NT 4.0 Server SP6/2000 Server/2000 Advanced Server/2003 Server

• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions

• Windows Vista all Editions (except for the Acronis Snap Restore feature)

Acronis True Image Agent for Linux

• SuSE 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, RedHat 9.0, Advanced Server 2.1, Advanced Server

3.0, Advanced Server 4.0, Fedora Core 1, Fedora Core 2, Fedora Core 3, Fedora Core 4, Enterprise Server 3.0, Mandrake 8.0, 9.2, 10.0, 10.1, Slackware 10, Debian stable and unstable (sarge), ASPLinux 9.2, ASPLinux 10, ASPLinux 11, ASPLinux Server II, ASPLinux Server IV, Virtuozzo 2.6.x, Gentoo, UnitedLinux 1.0, Ubuntu 4.10, TurboLinux 8.0, TurboLinux 10.0 and some others Linux distributions are supported.

Acronis Universal Restore (optional)

• Windows 2000 Professional SP4/XP Professional SP2

• Windows 2000 Server/2000 Advanced Server/2003 Server

• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions

• Windows Vista all Editions

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server bootable standalone version enables backing up and recovery a disk/partition on a computer running any PC-based operating system.

1.5.3 Supported file systems

• FAT16/32

• NTFS

• Ext2/Ext3

• ReiserFS

• Reiser4

• Linux SWAP

• XFS

• JFS

If a file system is not supported or is corrupted, Acronis True Image Enterprise Server can copy data using a sector-by-sector approach.

For XFS and JFS file systems the partition resizing feature is not supported.

1.5.4 Supported storage media

• Hard disk drives

• Networked storage devices such as Storage Area Networks ( S ANs) and Network Attached

Storage (NAS)

• SCSI tape drives

• IDE and SCSI RAID controllers of any level

• FTP-servers*

• CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R (including double-layer DVD+R), DVD+RW, DVD-RAM**

• USB 1.0 / 2.0, FireWire (IEEE-1394) and PC card storage devices

• ZIP®, Jaz® and other removable media

* - an FTP-server must allow passive mode for file transfers. Data recovery directly from FTP-server requires the archive to consist of files no more than 2GB in size. It is recommended that you change the source computer firewall settings to open ports 20 and 21 for both TCP and UDP protocols and disable the Routing and Remote Access Windows service.

** - Burned write-once discs cannot be read in Windows NT 4 without third-party software. Burned rewritable discs cannot be read in Linux without kernel patch.

1.6 Technical support

Users of legally purchased copies of Acronis True Image Enterprise Server are entitled to free technical support from Acronis. If you experience problems installing or using Acronis products that you can’t solve yourself by using this guide, then please contact Acronis Technical Support.

More information about contacting Acronis Technical Support is available at the following

http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/support/

link:

Chapter 2. Acronis True Image Enterprise Server installation and starting

2.1 Installing Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components

To install Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components:

• run the Acronis True Image Enterprise Server setup file

• in the Install Menu, select the program to install: Acronis True Image Management

Console, Acronis True Image Agent for Windows, Acronis Backup Server, Acronis Group Server or Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (local version)

• follow the Install Wizard instructions on the screen.

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server Install Menu Window

It is recommended that you install Acronis True Image Management Console first. After that you will be able to install most of other components remotely to any networked computer.

2.1.1 Installation of Acronis True Image Enterprise Server local version

and Acronis True Image Agent for Windows

For Acronis True Image Enterprise Server and Acronis True Image Agent for Windows, Typical, Custom and Complete installation is available. Having pressed Custom, you can choose to install, besides the main component, Rescue Media Builder and Bart PE plug- in for Acronis True Image Enterprise Server, or Acronis Secure Zone manager for Acronis True Image Agent.

With Rescue Media Builder you can create bootable rescue disks or RIS packages (see details in purchased a boxed product that contains a bootable CD. Installing the Bootable Rescue Media Builder will allow you to create bootable media, its ISO image or a bootable RIS package at any time from the main program window or running Bootable Rescue Media Builder on its own.

The well-known Bart PE utility is used to boot into a Windows-like environment from CD. Applications are installed into Bart PE in the form of plug-ins. Choosing Bart PE plug-in

Chapter 10. Creating bootable media

). You might not need this tool if you

installation (disabled by default) provides the ability to include Acronis True Image Enterprise Server into a Bart PE plug-in tab. The plug-in files will be placed into the component installation folder along with other program files.

Acronis Secure Zone manager lets you create, delete and resize a special hidden partition for storing backup archives (see

When installed, Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (local version) creates a new device in the Device Manager list (Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager - > Acronis Devices -> Acronis TrueImage Backup Archive Explorer). Do not disable or uninstall this device, as it is necessary for connecting image archives as virtual disks (see

Chapter 12. Mounting an image as a virtual drive

3.3 Acronis Secure Zone

2.1.2 Installation of Acronis True Image Agent for Linux

To install Acronis True Image Agent for Linux, extract its files to a shared network drive or removable media, assign to these files attribute Executable, then perform installation procedure on a Linux-based system. How to extract, see in

Image Enterprise Server components

2.2 Extracting Acronis True

2.1.3 Installation of Acronis Group Server

The Acronis Group Server can be installed on a networked computer only locally, by running the setup program. When installing Acronis Group Server, you will have to enter credentials, i.e. the user account that will be used for obtaining status of backup/restore tasks from networked computers.

If a domain controller is present on the network, you can cr eate for Acronis Group Server a domain user account with guest rights and remote access right to every computer. If the network does not use domain, you can create accounts with guest rights on all computers accessed by Acronis Group Server.

2.1.4 Acronis Backup Server installation and setup

If the computer where Acronis Backup Server has been installed runs Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows 2003 Server, the option Control panel -> Windows Firewall - > Exceptions -> File and Printer Sharing must be enabled on this computer. Otherwise remote users will not be able to create backups on the backup server.

To be able to back up data from any networked computer where Acronis True Image Agent is installed, to the backup server, or enable users to back up data from any networked computer, where Acronis True Image Enterprise Server local version is installed, to the backup server, you must add these computers and/or users to Acronis Backup Server database. See details in

Administrators to Acronis Backup Server database

If you want the backup server to manage (consolidate and delete) backup archives automatically, you must set quotas and time limits and schedule a check of all user’s/computers archives on the backup server for meeting the limits. See details in

Default settings

to understand the purpose and operating principles of this component.

. It is highly recommended that you read section

4.5.2 Set up Administrator profiles

and

4.5.3 Adding Users and

3.5 Acronis Backup Server

4.5.1

2.1.5 Acronis Universal Restore installation

Acronis Universal Restore is an option to Acronis True Image Enterprise Server. It is purchased separately and installed from a separate setup file. Acronis Universal Restore has its own serial number which is required at installation.

Acronis Universal Restore can only be installed on a computer where at least one of the following Acronis components is installed:

Acronis True Image Agent for Windows Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (local version) Bootable Media Builder. Acronis Universal Restore can be installed on a networked computer either locally, by

running the setup program, or remotely using one of remote installation services, for example, Systems Management Server (a component of Microsoft Windows NT BackOffice program package). Remote installation of Acronis Universal Restore with Acronis True Image Management Console is not supported.

After installation, Acronis Universal Restore automatically plugs in one or more of above program components. Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (local version) name, displayed in its main window, changes to Acronis True Image Enterprise Server with Universal Restore.

2.2 Extracting Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components

During Acronis True Image Management Console installation, all Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components’ setup (.msi) files will be placed to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\RemoteInstall folder. Thus, you will be able to remotely install, modify or repair the components using Acronis True Image Management Console or msiexec.exe utility.

When installing Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components on a local computer, you can save setup files for each Acronis True Image Enterprise Server component separately on a local or network drive. This will help when modifying or recovering the existing component installation on a local computer.

To save a component’s setup file:

• run the Acronis True Image Enterprise Server setup file;

• in the Install Menu, right-click on the component name and select Extract;

• select a location for the setup file and click Save.

2.3 Setting up security parameters for Acronis True Image Enterprise

Server

2.3.1 Usernames and passwords

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server fully supports all security standards used in Windows. The remote access to networked computers is allowed according to the security policy set up

in the local network. To have remote access to Acronis True Image Agent, the user must be a member of the Administrators or Backup operators group on this computer. To install Acronis components on a remote computer you must be a member of the Administrators group on this computer.

It is highly recommended that you create administrator’s or backup operator’s accounts with the same username and password on all networked computers for remote access to the Acronis True Image Agent.

2.3.2 Firewall setup

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server uses the following ports and IP addresses for remote operation:

• server (Acronis True Image Agent) UDP port: 9876

• server (Acronis True Image Agent) TCP port: 9876, if busy choose a port at random

• client (Acronis True Image Management Console) UDP port: 9877, if busy choose a port

at random

• IPv4 multicast address: 239.255.219.45

• IPv6 multicast address: FF05::fAA5:741E.

You might have to set the appropriate firewall access options. Options for the Windows Firewall, included in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows 2003 Server, are set automatically during Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components installation. However, make sure that the option File and Printer Sharing in the Control panel -> Windows Firewall -> Exceptions is enabled on the remote computer, before the remote operation starts.

2.4 Running Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components

2.4.1 Running Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (local version)

You can run Acronis True Image Enterprise Server in Windows by selecting Start ->

Programs -> Acronis -> Acronis True Image Enterprise Server -> Acronis True

Image Enterprise Server or clicking on the appropriate shortcut on the desktop.

If your operating system does not load for some reason, you can run Acronis Startup Recovery Manager. However, this must be activated prior to use; see

Recovery Manager

server bootup, when you see a corresponding message that tells you to press that key. Acronis True Image Enterprise Server will be run in the standalone mode, allowing you to recover the damaged partitions.

If your disk data is totally corrupted and you cannot boot (or if you have not activated Acronis Startup Recovery Manager), load the standalone Acronis True Image Enterprise Server version from the bootable media (supplied with the retail box or created by you using Rescue Media Builder) or RIS-server. Then you will be able to restore the disk from its previously created image.

to learn more about this procedure. To run the program, press F11 during

3.4 Acronis Startup

2.4.2 Running Acronis True Image Management Console

To run Acronis True Image Management Console, select Start -> Programs -> Acronis -

> Acronis True Image Management Console -> Acronis True Image Management

Console.

2.4.3 Running other Acronis components

Acronis True Image Agents, Acronis Backup Server and Acronis Group Server run as services immediately after installation and the consequent system reboot (if the latter is required). Later on they will automatically launch at every system restart. You can stop and start these programs in the same way as other services.

2.5 Removing Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components

You can remove any Acronis True Image Enterprise Server component separately by selecting Control panel -> Add or remove programs -> <The component name> -> Remove. Then follow instructions on the screen. You may have to reboot your computer afterwards to complete the task.

Chapter 3. General information and proprietary Acronis technologies

3.1 The difference between file archives and disk/partition images

A backup archive is a file or a group of files (also called in this Guide “backups”), that contains a copy of selected files/folders data or a copy of all information stored on selected disks/partitions.

When you back up files and folders, only the data, along with the folder tree, is compressed and stored.

Backing up disks and partitions is performed in a different way: Acronis True Image Enterprise Server stores a sector-by-sector snapshot of the disk, which includes the operating system, registry, drivers, software applications and data files, as well as system areas hidden from the user. This procedure is called “creating a disk image,” and the resulting backup archive is often called a disk/partition image.

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server stores only those hard disk parts that contain data (for supported file systems). Further, it does not back up swap file information (pagefile.sys) and hiberfil.sys (a file that keeps RAM contents when the computer goes into hibernation). This reduces image size and speeds up image creation and restoration.

A partition image includes all files and folders independent of their attributes (including hidden and system files), boot record, FAT (file allocation table), root and the zero track of the hard disk with master boot record (MBR).

A disk image includes images of all disk partitions as well as the zero track with master boot record (MBR).

By default, files in all Acronis True Image Enterprise Server archives have a “.tib” extension. It is important to note that you can restore files and folders not only from file archi ves, but

from disk/partition images, too. To do so, mount the image as a virtual disk (see

Mounting an image as a virtual drive

specified files or folders.

) or start the image restoration and select Restore

Chapter 12.

3.2 Full, incremental and differential backups

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server can create full, incremental and differential backups. A full backup contains all data at the moment of backup creation. It forms a base for

further incremental or differential backup or is used as a standalone archive. A full backup has the shortest restore time as compared to incremental or differential ones.

An incremental backup file only contains data changed since the la st full or incremental backup creation. Therefore, it is smaller and takes less time to create. But as it doesn’t contain all data, all the previous incremental backups and the initial full backup are required for restoration.

Unlike incremental backup, when every backup procedure creat es the next file in a “chain,” a differential backup creates an independent file, containing all changes against the initial full archive. Generally, a differential backup will be restored faster than an incremental one, as it does not have to process through a long chain of previous backups.

A standalone full backup may be an optimal solution if you often roll back the system to the initial state (like in a gaming club or Internet café, to undo changes made by the guests). In this case, you need not re-create the initial full image, so the backup time is not crucial, and the restore time will be minimal.

Alternatively, if you are interested in saving only the last data state to be able to restore it in case of system failure, consider the differential backup. It is particularly effective if your data changes tend to be little as compared to the full data volume.

The same is true for incremental backup. In addition, it is most useful when you need frequent backups and possibility to roll back to any of stored states. Having created a full backup once, if you then create an incremental backup each day of a month, you will get the same result as if you created full backups every day. However, the cost in time and disk space (or removable media usage) will be as little as one tenth as much.

It is important to note that the above arguments are nothing but examples for your information. Feel free to make up your own backup policy in accordance with your specific tasks and conditions. Acronis True Image Enterprise Server is flexible enough to meet any real-life demands.

An incremental or differential backup created after a disk is defragmented might be considerably larger than usual. This is because the defragmentation program changes file locations on disk and the backups reflect these changes. Therefore, it is recommended that you re-create a full backup after disk defragmentation.

3.3 Acronis Secure Zone

The Acronis Secure Zone is a special hidden partition for storing archives on the computer system itself. For archive security purposes, ordinary applications cannot access it. In the Acronis True Image Enterprise Server Wizards’ windows the zone is listed along with all partitions available for storing archives. Acronis Secure Zone is necessary for using Acronis Startup Recovery Manager and Acronis Snap Restore features (see below).

Acronis Secure Zone is always available for archive creation as long as ther e is space for the backup file. If there is not enough space, older archives will be deleted to create space.

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server uses the following scheme to clean up Acronis Secure Zone:

• If there is not enough free space in the zone to create a backup, the pro gram deletes the oldest full backup with all subsequent incremental/differential backups.

• If there is only one full backup (with subsequent incremental/differential backups) left and a full backup is in progress, then the old full backup and incremental/differential backups are deleted.

• Otherwise, (only one full backup left, and an incremental/differential backup is in progress) you will get a message about space error. In that case you will have to either re-create the full backup or increase Acronis Secure Zone.

Thus, you can back up data automatically on a schedule (see

Chapter 8. Scheduling tasks

and not worry about zone overflow issues. However, if you keep long chains of incremental backups, it will be a good practice to periodically check the zone free space, indicated on the second page of the Manage Acronis Secure Zone wizard.

For information on how to create, resize or delete Acronis Secure Zone using this wizard, see

Chapter 9. Managing Acronis Secure Zone

3.4 Acronis Startup Recovery Manager

3.4.1 How it works

The Acronis Startup Recovery Manager enables starting Acronis True Image Enterprise Server on a local computer without loading the operating system. With this feature, if the operating system won't load for some reason, you can run Acronis True Image Enterprise Server by itself to restore damaged partitions. As opposed to booting from Acronis removable media or RIS server, you will not need a separate media or network connection to start Acronis True Image Enterprise Server. It is especially handy for traveling users.

3.4.2 How to use

To be able to use Acronis Startup Recovery Manager at boot time, prepare as follows (you can do it either locally, using Acronis True Image Enterprise Server local version, or remotely, using Acronis True Image Management Console):

1. Install Acronis True Image Enterprise Server local version or Acronis True Image Agent on

a local computer.

2. Create Acronis Secure Zone on the local computer hard disk (see

Acronis Secure Zone

3. Activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager. To do so, click Activate Acronis Startup

Recovery Manager and follow the Wizard’s instructions. If you try to activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager while Acronis Secure Zon e is missing

from the system, you will be prompted to create the zone, Manager will be activated. Otherwise, Acronis Startup Recovery Manager will be activated immediately.

When Acronis Startup Recovery Manager is activated, it overwrites the master boot record (MBR) with its own boot code. If you have any third-party boot managers installed, you will have to reactivate them after activating the Startup Recovery Manager. For Linux loaders (e.g. LiLo and GRUB), you might consider installing them to a Linux root (or boot) partition boot record instead of MBR before activating Acronis Startup Recovery Manager.

If failure occurs on a local computer, turn on the computer and press F11 when you see the "Press F11 for Acronis Startup Recovery Manager" message. This will run a standalone version of Acronis True Image Enterprise Server that only slightly differs from the complete version. For information on restoring damaged partitions, see

backup data

Be careful! Disk letters in standalone Acronis True Image Enterprise Server might sometimes differ from the way Windows identifies drives. For example, the D: drive identified in the standalone Acronis True Image might correspond to the E: drive in Windows.

then Acronis Startup Recovery

Chapter 9. Managing

Chapter 7. Restoring the

3.5 Acronis Backup Server

This software application, when installed on a networked computer, automatically manages backup archives, stored on this computer, in accordance with the rules, set by an administrator. Acronis Backup Server allows the administrator to set up a uniform backup policy for the entire organization. It ensures optimal employment o f storage space, used for backup archives. Outdated archives will be automatically deleted; at the same time, the latest data recovery is always possible. In addition, Acronis Backup Server facilitates creation and executing group backup tasks.

The following will give you the first idea of Acronis Backup Server. For information on how to install Acronis Backup Server see information on how to manage Acronis Bac kup Server see

2.1.4 Acronis Backup Server installation and setup

4.5 Managing backup server

. For

3.5.1 Backup locations, their quotas and time limits

Backup server is a networked computer where Acronis Backup Server is installed. A backup location is an automatically managed storage area for backups on a backup server local hard disk. An administrator can organize one or more backup locations and set the overall limitations to size/storage time for every location, i.e. quotas and time limits. An administrator can move, clear or delete existing backup locations or edit their quotas and time limits.

3.5.2 Quotas and time limits for computers and users

Individual quotas and time limits determine every computer’s or user’s quota on a backup server. This include

1) maximum storage space, allocated to a user/computer, in MB, GB or TB

2) maximum number of backups

3) maximum number of incremental backups for each full backup

4) maximum storage period for the user’s/computer’s backups.

These values define how Acronis Backup Server itself will handle the backup archives. At first backup of the computer/user’s data to the backup server, a full backup will be

created. The next backups will be incremental, until the maximum number of incremental backups is reached. Then again a full backup and a set of subsequent incremental backups is created, then again a full backup and so on.

As appears from the above, when backing up to backup server, a user cannot select backup mode (full, incremental, differential). The backup mode will be set by Acronis Backup Server.

When number of backups, storage space or storage period for some backups exceeds the preset value, Acronis Backup Server will combine the first full backup with the next incremental one into one full backup which will be dated the later backup date. Then, if necessary, this backup will be combined with the next, until the occupied storage space (or number of backups) decreases to the limitation. Thus, the archive integrity will not be affected, in spite of the fact that the most old backups will be deleted. This procedure is called

An administrator can run a check of meeting the limitations on a schedule (once, daily, weekly or monthly). All user’s/computers archives on the backup server will be checked and, if some quota or storage period for some backups is exceeded, the above processing will be executed.

automatic consolidation

3.5.3 Administrator profiles and User profiles

Profile is a set of parameters, assigned to each computer and user that backs up on the backup server. Profile includes the backup location and the above limitations. When an administrator adds a new computer or user to Acronis Backup Server database, they are assigned the default backup location, quotas and time limits. An administrator then can change these settings by editing the respective profile.

Administrator profiles are used for managing backups, created by backup tasks, r emotely controlled from Acronis True Image Management Console.

An administrator assigns a backup location and sets quotas and time limits for each computer running Acronis True Image Agent. After that, when creating an individual or group backup task, the administrator will specify the backup server as the target storage place, and every computer’s backup will be directed to the assigned location, which may differ from other computers’ location or be the same.

So, Administrator profiles manage the backup server resources allocation by computers. User profiles are used for managing backups, created by backup tasks, locally controlled

with Acronis True Image Enterprise Server. An administrator assigns a backup location and sets quotas and time limits for each user,

who back up their data running Acronis True Image Enterprise S erver (local version). Later on, if the user specifies the backup server as the target storage place, the backup will be directed to the assigned backup location. If the u ser moves t o another comput er, th e ba ckup location, quotas and time limits remain the same.

So, User profiles manage the backup server resources allocation by users.

3.5.4 Operations with archives

Acronis Backup Server can display a list of backups, stored on the backup server, and sort the list by location or owners (users and computers).

An administrator, if need be, can manually consolidate any backup (except for the oldest one in the archive) with the preceding backup file. This operation deletes the preceding ba ckup and sets concatenation between the backup being cons olidated and the backup before the deleted one. Thus, the archive integrity will not be affected, in spite of the fact that one backup will be deleted. Data recovery from any of the remaining backups will be possible.

3.6 Acronis Snap Restore

With this feature you can boot the OS on a crashed computer before the system is completely restored from an image, and start work seconds after the restoration is launched. The restoration will be continued in the background.

3.6.1 Limitations in using Acronis Snap Restore

1. Acronis Snap Restore is currently available for images located in the Acronis Secure Zone

only.

2. Acronis Snap Restore does not support images of Windows Vista. If any Vista edition is

detected in an image, the Snap Restore option will not appear.

3. Naturally, Acronis Snap Restore cannot be used if the image contains no operating system

(a logical partition or disk image) or when restoring file archives.

3.6.2 How it works

When the restoration procedure is started, Acronis True Image Enterprise Server:

1. Finds the sectors in the image which contain system files, and restores these sectors first.

Thus, the OS is restored and can be started in a very short timeframe. Having started the OS, the user sees the folder tree with files, though file contents still is not recovered. Nevertheless, the user can start working.

2. Writes on the hard disk its own drivers, which intercept system queries to the files. When

the user opens files or launches applications, the drivers receive the system queries and restore the sectors that are necessary for the current operation.

3. At the same time, Acronis True Image Enterprise Server proceeds with the complete

sector-by-sector image restoration in the background. However, the system requested sectors have the highest priority.

Finally, the image will be fully restored even if the user performs no actions at all. But if you choose to start working as soon as possible after the system failure, you will gain at least several minutes, considering that restoration of a 10-20GB image (most common image size) takes about 10 minutes. The larger the image size, the more time you save.

3.6.3 How to use

To be able to use Acronis Snap Restore in case of system crash, prepare as follows (you can do it either locally, using Acronis True Image Enterprise Server local version, or remotely, using Acronis True Image Management Console):

1. Install Acronis True Image Enterprise Server local version or Acronis True Image Agent on

the local computer.

2. Create Acronis Secure Zone on the local computer hard disk (see

Acronis Secure Zone

3. Activate Acronis Startup Recovery manager (see

and create bootable media or RIS package with Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (see

Chapter 10. Creating bootable

4. Back up (image) the local computer’s system disk to Acronis Secure Zone (see

Backing up disks and partitions (image backup)

well, but the system image is mandatory.

When performing Snap Restore, the current Acronis True Image Enterprise Server version always restores the entire system disk. Therefore, if your system disk consists of several partitions, all of them must be included in the image. Any partitions which are missing from the image will be lost.

If failure occurs, boot the local computer from the bootable media, or RIS server, or using F11. Start the recovery procedure (see select the system disk image from Acronis Secure Zone, choose Use Snap Restore and in the next window click Proceed. In a few seconds the computer will reboot to the restored system. Log in and start work – no more reboots or other actions are required.

You can perform Snap Restore running Acronis True Image Enterprise Server in s upported Windows Server operating systems as well. However, it is mandatory to have bootable media in case Windows cannot boot.

3.4 Acronis Startup Recovery Manager

media).

). You can back up other disks/partitions as

7.3 Restoring disks/partitions or files from images

Chapter 9. Managing

)

6.2

3.7 Acronis Universal Restore

3.7.1 Acronis Universal Restore purpose

A system disk image can be deployed easily on the hardware where it was created or the identical hardware. However, if you change, for example, a motherboard or use another processor version, which is likely in case of hardware failure, the restored system could be unbootable. An attempt to transfer the system to a new, much more powerful computer will usually produce the same unbootable result because the new hardware is incompatible with the most critical drivers included in the image.

Using Microsoft System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) does not solve this problem, because Sysprep permits replacing drivers only for Plug-and-Play devices (sound cards, network adapters, video cards etc.). As for system Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) and mass storage device drivers, they must be identical on the source and the target computers (see Microsoft Knowledge Base, articles 302577 and 216915).

Acronis Universal Restore technology provides an ef fici ent solutio n for hardware -ind epende nt system restoration by replacing the crucial Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) and mass storage device drivers.

Acronis Universal Restore is applicable for:

1. Instant recovery of a failed system on different hardware

2. Hardware-independent cloning and deployment of operating systems

3. Real-to-virtual and virtual-to-real computer migration for system recovery, test and other

purposes.

3.7.2 Acronis Universal Restore general principles

1. Automatic HAL and mass storage drivers selection

Acronis Universal Restore searches the Windows default driver storage folders (in the image being restored) for HAL and mass storage device drivers and installs drivers that better fit the target hardware. You can specify a custom driver repository (a folder or folders on a network drive or CD) which will also be used for drivers search.

The Windows default driver storage folders are determined in the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current version\DevicePath. Generally, it is WINDOWS/inf folder.

2. Manual selection of mass storage device driver

If the target hardware has a specific mass storage controller (such as a SCSI, RAID, or Fibre Channel adapter) for the hard disk, you can install the appropriate driver manually, bypassing the automatic driver search-and-install procedure.

3. Installing drivers for plug-and-play devices

The primary goal of Acronis Universal Restore is to boot the restored system. The current version of this product handles only HAL and mass storage device drivers and does not install drivers for other devices (sound cards, network adapters, video cards etc.). Once the restored system starts, Windows takes control and initiates the usual fi rst-start process. At this point, you will be able to specify drivers for other devices if Windows cannot find them automatically.

3.7.3 Acronis Universal Restore and Microsoft Sysprep

As appears from the above, Acronis Universal Restore is can apply it to any system image created by Acronis products, including images prepared with Microsoft System Preparation Tool (Sysprep). The following is an example of using both tools on the same system.

not

a system preparation tool. You

Acronis Universal Restore does not strip security identifier (SID) and user profile settings in order to run the system immediately after recovery without re-joining the domain or remapping network user profiles. If you are going to change the above settings on a recovered system, you can prepare the system with Sysprep , image it and restore, if need be, using Acronis Universal Restore.

3.7.4 Using Acronis Universal Restore in virtual environment

Virtual machine technologies provide a powerful tool to help accelerate the development, testing, deployment and support of PC applications. Using Acronis True Image Enterprise Server with Acronis Universal Restore you can perform real-to-virtual and virtual-to-real computer migration in the same way as with real systems.

If the virtual hard drive uses SCSI controller, you should provide appropriate drivers while performing system restore to the virtual machine. For example, the widespread VMware environment requires Buslogic or LSI logic drivers. Use drivers bundled with your virtual machine software or download the latest drivers versions from the software manufacturer website.

3.7.5 Limitations in using Acronis Universal Restore

1. The system recovered by Acronis Universal Restore may not start if the partition structure

in the image or the target disk partitioning does not coincide with that of th e source disk. As a result, the loader, restored from the image, will point to the wrong partition and the system will not boot or will malfunction.

Such might be the case if you:

- image not the entire source disk, but only the selected partitions

Keep in mind, that the source disk may have a hidden maintenance partition created by the computer vendor. Therefore, if you check each partition for backup instead of checking the disk, this hidden partition will not be included into the image.

- restore not the entire source disk, but only the selected partitions. In some cases,

especially if your system resides on other than the first partition, this can confuse th e loader and prevent the restored system from startup.

To avoid the problem, we recommend that you image and restore the entire system disk.

2. The Acronis Universal Restore option does not work if the imag e contains dynamic disks

and volumes.

3. The Acronis Universal Restore option does not work if a computer is booted with Acronis

Startup Recovery Manager (using F11) or the backup image is located in Acronis Secure Zone. This is because Acronis Startup Recovery Manager and Acronis Secure Zone are primarily meant for instant data recovery on the same computer.

3.7.6 Getting Acronis Universal Restore

Acronis Universal Restore is an add-on to Acronis True Image Enterprise Server. It is purchased separately and installed from a separate setup file.

3.8 Using dynamic disks and volumes

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server supports dynamic disks, i.e. disks, managed by Windows Logical Disk Manager (LDM). You can create an image of one or more dynamic volumes of any type (simple, spanned, striped etc.) and restore it to a dynamic volume of any type or MBR volume (partition) and vice versa, restore an MBR volume image to a dynamic volume. In each case, the program sto res and restores volume contents only. The type or other properties of the target volume will not be changed.

However, the partition resize is possible when you restore a dynamic volume to a b asic disk partition.

If Acronis True Image Enterprise Server runs in rescue mode (for example, booted from Bootable Rescue media), dynamic disks will not be accessible. Therefore, to be able to repair a system partition, you must keep its image on a basic, network, or removable disk.

3.9 Backing up to tape drive

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server supports SCSI tape drives. It can store backup s on the tape and restore data from the tape, store large backups to multiple tapes, and append incremental/differential changes to a tape with the existing archives.

If a SCSI tape drive is connected to the computer, controlling the backup process (i.e. where you are running Acronis True Image Management Console or Acronis True Image Enterprise Server local version) the list of devices available for backup storage will be extended with a name corresponding to the drive type.

To place backup archives on a tape drive connected to another network computer, install Acronis Backup Server on that computer. Then a new device type n amed “Acronis Backup Server” will appear in the list of devices, and you will be able to access the tape under this device.

Backup and restore on the tape proceed in the same way as with other devices, with the following exceptions.

1. A full backup can be stored on an empty tape only. If you use tape that already contains

data, its contents will be overwritten.

2. In case you want to keep more than one archive on the tape, for example, back up two

disks separately, choose

incremental

backup mode instead of a

full

backup when you create an initial backup for the second disk. In other situations, incremental backup is used for appending changes to the previously created archive.

3. You do not have to provide filenames for backups. You might experience short pauses that are required to rewind the tape.

Low-quality or old tape, as well as dirt on the magnetic head, might lead to pauses that can last up to several minutes.

3.10 Viewing disk and partition information

You can change the way of data representation in all schemes you see in various wizards. To the right are three icons: Arrange Icons by, Choose Details and i (Display the

properties of the selected item), the last duplicated in the context menu invoked by right-clicking objects.

To sort messages by a particular column, click the header (another click will switch the messages to the opposite order) or Arrange Icons by button and select the column.

To select columns to view, right-click the headers line or left-click the Choose Details button. Then flag the columns you want to display.

If you click the i (Display the properties of the selected item) button, you will see the selected partition or disk properties window.

This window contains two panels. The left panel contains the properties tree and the rig ht describes the selected property in detail. The disk information includes its physical parameters (connection type, device type, size, etc.); partition information includes both

physical (sectors, location, etc.), and logical (file system, free space, assigned letter, etc.) parameters.

You can change the width of a column by dragging its borders with the mouse.

Chapter 4. Using Acronis True Image Management Console

4.1 General information

Acronis True Image Management Console is the primary tool for managing data backup/restore on remote computers where Acronis True Image Agent is installed. The Console allows managing computer groups and corporate backup archives via Group and Backup Servers, as well as managing individual backup/restore tasks for every computer.

Acronis True Image Management Console main window with the Network pane active

4.2 Installing/updating Acronis components on a remote machine

Acronis True Image Management Console allows installing and updating Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components on remote computers. To perform any of these operations you will need administrator rights on the target machine.

Installation of Acronis components onto remote machines running all Windows Vista editions is not possible. You will have to install the components locally on such computers.

If the remote computer runs Windows XP, the option Control panel -> Folder options -> View -> Use simple file sharing must be disabled on that computer.

If the remote computer runs Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows 2003 Server, the option Control panel -> Windows Firewall -> Exceptions -> File and Printer Sharing must be enabled on that computer.

To install Acronis components:

1. Click Install Acronis components to a remote computer in the center of Acronis True Image Management Console main window, on the to olbar or the sidebar, or select the same item from the Tools menu.

2. Select the installer location from the list (Registered Components, Search removable media or Specify location). The default selection Registered Components will use setup files from the default C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\RemoteInstall folder.

3. Select the Acronis component and specify the comp onent features you wa nt to install (for custom component features see

components

2.1 Installing Acronis True Image Enterprise Server

4. Specify network name or IP address of the machine on which A cronis component is to be installed. You can also select the machine from the list of available using Browse… button. At that point you will have to provide administrator username and password.

Installation of most Acronis components requires the system restart. To allow immediate remote computer reboot, check the Reboot the remote computer box.

5. The Acronis component then will be installed on the remote computer. If system restart is necessary, the remote machine will reboot or the program will prompt you to restart the remote machine, depending on your choice in the previous step.

To update an Acronis component on a remote computer, perform the same procedure.

4.3 Managing a single remote computer

To perform any operation on a single remote computer, you must first connect to it.

4.3.1 Connecting to a remote computer

To establish a remote connection:

1. Click Connect to a remote computer in the center of Acronis True Image Management Console main window or on the toolbar, or select New connection from the sidebar or the Connect menu.

2. Enter the computer network name or select it using Browse… button. Browse… will open a list, including all computers controllable with Acronis True Image Management Console.

3. Enter administrator or backup operator username and password.

When connecting to a backup server inside a domain, mind whether your domain or local account is registered on the backup server. If you entered Windows on a network computer using your domain account while your local account is registered, enter the local user name along with the backup server name (for example, Server1\username). Ot herwise

+ 85 hidden pages

Acronis True Image Enterprise Server - 9.1 User's Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

1.1 Acronis® True Image Enterprise Server – a complete solution for corporate users

1.2 Acronis True Image Enterprise Server Architecture

1.3 License policy

1.4 New in Acronis True Image 9.1 Enterprise Server

1.5 System requirements and supported media

1.5.1 Minimum system requirements

1.5.2 Supported operating systems

1.5.3 Supported file systems

1.5.4 Supported storage media

1.6 Technical support

Chapter 2. Acronis True Image Enterprise Server installation and starting

2.1 Installing Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components

2.1.2 Installation of Acronis True Image Agent for Linux

2.1.3 Installation of Acronis Group Server

2.1.4 Acronis Backup Server installation and setup

2.1.5 Acronis Universal Restore installation

2.2 Extracting Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components

2.3.1 Usernames and passwords

2.3.2 Firewall setup

2.4 Running Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components

2.4.1 Running Acronis True Image Enterprise Server (local version)

2.4.2 Running Acronis True Image Management Console

2.4.3 Running other Acronis components

2.5 Removing Acronis True Image Enterprise Server components

Chapter 3. General information and proprietary Acronis technologies

3.1 The difference between file archives and disk/partition images

3.2 Full, incremental and differential backups

3.3 Acronis Secure Zone

3.4 Acronis Startup Recovery Manager

3.4.1 How it works

3.4.2 How to use

3.5 Acronis Backup Server

3.5.1 Backup locations, their quotas and time limits

3.5.2 Quotas and time limits for computers and users

3.5.3 Administrator profiles and User profiles

3.5.4 Operations with archives

3.6 Acronis Snap Restore

3.6.1 Limitations in using Acronis Snap Restore

3.6.2 How it works

3.6.3 How to use

3.7 Acronis Universal Restore

3.7.1 Acronis Universal Restore purpose

3.7.2 Acronis Universal Restore general principles

3.7.3 Acronis Universal Restore and Microsoft Sysprep

3.7.4 Using Acronis Universal Restore in virtual environment

3.7.5 Limitations in using Acronis Universal Restore

3.7.6 Getting Acronis Universal Restore

3.8 Using dynamic disks and volumes

3.9 Backing up to tape drive

3.10 Viewing disk and partition information

Chapter 4. Using Acronis True Image Management Console

4.1 General information

4.2 Installing/updating Acronis components on a remote machine

4.3 Managing a single remote computer

4.3.1 Connecting to a remote computer