Simplivity backup to Active Directory Controller

[Anthony_137]

Hello,

When I read the documentation (Omnistack 4.01), I see recomandation about VSS for SQL server. I don't see any notes to backup Active Directory controler.
Is it supported ?

Thanks

[Ryan_Hardy]

I wouldn't use the term "backup" when talking about SimpliVity. What it does is replication with snapshots, but please make sure to ALWAYS use backup software to copy the data to another set of hardware.

Anyways, you can backup Domain Controllers just like any other VM. In addition I would recommend to use the following command line tools to export the data into files:

csvde
Backup-DhcpServer
Export-DnsServerZone
Backup-GPO

[db13]

@Anthony_137 , as @Ryan_Hardy stated, backing up an active directory server is supported. In addition to the commands recommendations provided to further "snapshot the application", I would also add a note that the Active Directory server would have to be manually restored in case of disaster (and vCenter is also unavailable). Manual restore would allow the use of a local CLI account to recover the VMs and any files within the VMs required for vCenter to authenticate properly via SSO. At that point, you would be able to restore any other VMs via vCenter or RapidDR.

[Anthony_137]

Thanks a lot.

I understand differencies between Simplivity process  and backup software.
So, to "backup" VM with Simplivity processes, we must use "application consistent" ?

What are the best practices to test restore of that VM ? I support to unconfigure network card before start. Anything else ?

[gustenar · Accepted solution]

To backup a VM you first need to create a backup policy and assign the VM or a datastore to it. Application consistent backups are usually good and used for VMs with database applications. Read more about application consistent backups under this link:

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=a00107306en_us (page 92). 

Using that same link (page 116) you can review your restore options.