Active directory backup in 2003 Server?

Question

I just wana backup Active Directory not C drive so when I reinstal Server I just get backup for my users

Answer 1

First, To back up Active Directory you have to back up the entire system state. AD is too heavily intertwined with the OS to allow a backup of it alone. You can export AD information for users, etc., then import it after the reload (you'll lose the user's passwords though). If you back up the system state, then restore it after a fresh load of 2003, you'll be back exactly where you started...

Second, You're going to have a mess on your hands if you try to just back up user data and then reload the OS. The SIDs (security identifiers) on all the user accounts won't match, the profiles on all the workstations will hoze (which means you'll have to copy all their profile data to "new" user accounts), the workstations will have to be disjoined, then rejoined... In short, you'll end up doing twice the work.

Third, if it's set up properly initially, 2003 is extremely stable. Why are you wanting to do a fresh install? What are you hoping to accomplish?

Answer 2

You can't simply backup the Active Directory, you'll have to backup the System State of the server. Then reinstall, and restore the System State from your backup.
Check the website from Microsoft, because there are some kinks that need to be straightened out before and after the reinstallation.

Answer 3

once you're already utilising Backup Exec, you want to backup the SYSVOL folder. for my area, that is unnecessary to target to image an internet site controller in a common installation. you need to have a minimum of two area controllers besides, and if one failed, the different would carry out any needed purposes, except probably some thing that required a FSMO position, which may be transferred. then you quite basically rebuild the former DC and re-upload it as an internet site controller.