User manual ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0

User's Guide Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows Compute with confidence www.acronis.com Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005. All rights reserved. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. OS/2 is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and copyrights referred to are the property of their respective owners. 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. 2 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 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 MAY CHOOSE NOT TO ACCEPT BY SELECTING "I decline..." AND NOT INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE. The Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows (the Software) is Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005. 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 Purchaser may use the Software on a single computer owned or leased by the Original Purchaser. You may not 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 may not engage in, nor permit third parties to engage in, any of the following: A. Providing or permitting use of or disclosing 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 un-assemble, de-compile 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. Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 3 Contents Table of Contents CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 6 1.1 WHAT IS ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 FOR WINDOWS .................................................................... 6 1.2 WHAT'S NEW IN ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 FOR WINDOWS ......................................................... 7 1.3 WHAT IS A DISK IMAGE.............................................................................................................................. 7 1.4 SOFTWARE USAGE TERMS AND CONDITIONS .............................................................................................. 8 CHAPTER 2. INSTALLATION AND RUNNING ............................................................................................ 9 2.1 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 9 2.2 SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS.............................................................................................................. 9 2.3 ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 FOR WINDOWS INSTALLATION ........................................................... 9 2.4 RUNNING ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 FOR WINDOWS ................................................................. 10 2.5 REMOVING THE PROGRAM ....................................................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER 3. GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION.............................................................................. 11 3.1 MAIN PROGRAM WINDOW........................................................................................................................ 11 3.2 ACRONIS SECURE ZONE .......................................................................................................................... 13 3.2.1 Creating Acronis Secure Zone ............................................................................................................ 14 3.2.2 Resizing Acronis Secure Zone ............................................................................................................ 15 3.2.3 Deleting the images in Acronis Secure Zone ...................................................................................... 16 3.2.4 Deleting Acronis Secure Zone ............................................................................................................ 17 3.3 ACRONIS STARTUP RECOVERY MANAGER .............................................................................................. 18 3.4 SUPPORTED FILE SYSTEMS ....................................................................................................................... 19 3.5 USING DYNAMIC DISKS AND VOLUMES .................................................................................................... 19 3.6 BACKING UP TO TAPE DRIVE .................................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 4. CREATING A PARTITION (DISK) IMAGE ......................................................................... 21 4.1 SELECTING PARTITIONS ........................................................................................................................... 21 4.2 SELECTING IMAGE LOCATION .................................................................................................................. 21 4.3 SELECTING IMAGE MODE ......................................................................................................................... 22 4.3.1 Creating an incremental image............................................................................................................ 23 4.4 SELECTING IMAGE FILE SIZE .................................................................................................................... 24 4.5 SELECTING DATA COMPRESSION LEVEL ................................................................................................... 25 4.6 PROTECTING IMAGES WITH PASSWORDS .................................................................................................. 26 4.7 PROVIDING COMMENTS ........................................................................................................................... 26 4.8 IMAGE CREATION SCRIPT ......................................................................................................................... 27 4.9 SELECTING IMAGE CREATION PRIORITY ................................................................................................... 28 4.10 OPERATION RESULTS NOTIFICATION .................................................................................................... 28 4.10.1 Email notification ............................................................................................................................ 28 4.10.2 WinPopup notification..................................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 5. RESTORING A DISK (PARTITION) FROM AN IMAGE................................................... 30 5.1 SELECTING AN IMAGE TO RESTORE FROM ................................................................................................ 30 5.2 CHECKING IMAGE INTEGRITY BEFORE RESTORATION .............................................................................. 31 5.3 SELECTING A PARTITION TO RESTORE...................................................................................................... 32 5.4 SELECTING A LOCATION TO RESTORE TO ................................................................................................. 33 5.5 SELECTING PARTITION TYPE .................................................................................................................... 34 5.6 SELECTING A FILE SYSTEM ...................................................................................................................... 34 5.7 SELECTING RESTORED PARTITION SIZE .................................................................................................... 35 5.8 ASSIGNING A LETTER TO A PARTITION ..................................................................................................... 36 5.9 CHECKING FILE SYSTEM INTEGRITY......................................................................................................... 37 5.10 RESTORING SEVERAL PARTITIONS AT ONCE ......................................................................................... 38 5.11 RESTORATION SCRIPT .......................................................................................................................... 38 CHAPTER 6. BROWSING AND RESTORING PARTICULAR FILES ..................................................... 40 6.1 CONNECTING A VIRTUAL DISK ................................................................................................................. 40 6.1.1 Selecting an image .............................................................................................................................. 40 4 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 Contents Selecting partitions to connect and letter assignment.......................................................................... 41 6.1.2 6.2 UNPLUGGING A VIRTUAL DISK................................................................................................................. 42 CHAPTER 7. TRANSFERRING THE SYSTEM TO A NEW DISK............................................................ 43 7.1 GENERAL INFORMATION.......................................................................................................................... 43 7.2 SECURITY ................................................................................................................................................ 44 7.3 EXECUTING TRANSFERS........................................................................................................................... 44 7.3.1 Selecting clone mode .......................................................................................................................... 44 7.3.2 Selecting source disk........................................................................................................................... 45 7.3.3 Selecting destination disk.................................................................................................................... 45 7.3.4 Partitioned destination disk ................................................................................................................. 46 7.3.5 Old and new disk partition layout ....................................................................................................... 46 7.3.6 Old disk data ....................................................................................................................................... 47 7.3.7 Destroying the old disk data................................................................................................................ 48 7.3.8 Selecting partition transfer method ..................................................................................................... 48 7.3.9 Partitioning the old disk ...................................................................................................................... 49 7.3.10 Old and new disk partition layouts .................................................................................................. 50 7.3.11 Cloning script .................................................................................................................................. 50 7.4 CLONING WITH MANUAL PARTITIONING .................................................................................................. 51 7.4.1 Old and new disk partition layouts...................................................................................................... 51 CHAPTER 8. ADDING A NEW HARD DISK ................................................................................................ 53 8.1 SELECTING A HARD DISK ......................................................................................................................... 53 8.2 CREATING NEW PARTITIONS .................................................................................................................... 53 8.3 DISK ADD SCRIPT ..................................................................................................................................... 54 CHAPTER 9. SCHEDULING ........................................................................................................................... 55 9.1 CREATING SCHEDULED TASKS ................................................................................................................. 55 9.1.1 Selecting partitions.............................................................................................................................. 55 9.1.2 Selecting task periodicity .................................................................................................................... 56 9.1.3 Setting up daily execution ................................................................................................................... 57 9.1.4 Setting up weekly execution ............................................................................................................... 58 9.1.5 Setting up monthly execution.............................................................................................................. 58 9.1.6 Setting up one time execution ............................................................................................................. 59 9.1.7 Entering user name.............................................................................................................................. 60 9.1.8 Task scheduled successfully................................................................................................................ 60 9.2 MANAGING SCHEDULED TASKS ............................................................................................................... 60 CHAPTER 10. COMMAND-LINE MODE AND SCRIPTING ..................................................................... 62 10.1 WORKING IN THE COMMAND-LINE MODE ............................................................................................. 62 10.1.1 Supported commands ...................................................................................................................... 62 10.1.2 ti_cons.exe usage examples ............................................................................................................. 69 10.1.3 Command-line mode usage under DOS .......................................................................................... 70 10.2 SCRIPTING............................................................................................................................................ 70 10.2.1 Script execution parameters............................................................................................................. 70 10.2.2 Script structure................................................................................................................................. 71 10.2.3 Script usage examples ..................................................................................................................... 72 CHAPTER 11. OTHER OPERATIONS .......................................................................................................... 73 11.1 CHECKING IMAGES............................................................................................................................... 73 11.1.1 Selecting image for checking........................................................................................................... 73 11.2 CREATING BOOTABLE MEDIA ............................................................................................................... 74 11.3 VIEWING LOGS ..................................................................................................................................... 74 CHAPTER 12. TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................................................................................... 76 12.1 RECOVERING ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE SERVER 8.0 FOR WINDOWS........................................................ 76 12.2 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................... 76 12.3 TECHNICAL SUPPORT ........................................................................................................................... 79 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 5 Introduction Chapter 1. Introduction 1.1 What is Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows creates the exact disk image of your live server for complete backup providing the comprehensive and cost effective server protection solution. The disk image file includes all the server disk data including system, programs, databases, configurations, preferences, updates, security patches, and the like. After a fatal failure, you can restore the complete server drive contents to a known working state or simply replace lost or corrupted files and folders. Based on the exclusive Acronis Drive Snapshot technology, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows creates live server disk image without shutting down a server and interrupting server operations. Fastest recovery Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows dramatically reduces your server downtime. Unlike traditional file-by-file backup solutions, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows disk imaging approach provides you with the fastest, bare-metal server recovery without time-consuming reinstallations, configurations and alike. Rapid ROI Is server downtime costing you thousands dollars an hour? Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows dramatically reduces IT costs by providing an easy, fast, and reliable way to return your server to its original state in minutes or to restore lost or damaged files and folders. Disk cloning and new disk deployment Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows can be used to clone an image onto multiple servers. For example, a company purchased several servers and needs the similar environment on each of them. Traditionally, IT manager should install operating system and programs on each of them. Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows, however, simplifies the process and saves the IT manager time, creating 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 Server 8.0 for Windows simplifies the task to few mouse clicks creating the exact copy of your old disk to a new one and adjusting partitions size to fit a new hard disk. 6 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 Introduction 1.2 What's new in Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows has the following new features: · · · · · · · · · Adjustment of a priority for image creation process; Excluding paging/hibernate files from images thereby decreasing the image file size; Partition/disk image integrity check before restoration; Email or WinPopup notification when backup is finished; Logs viewing; Two boot disk variants: complete and safe; Improved interface and performance; Console mode; JFS and XFS file systems support (except partition resizing feature). 1.3 What is a disk image A disk (partition) image is a file that contains a copy of all information stored on a disk. The image stores all the server data, including operating system, databases, all programs, data and settings. By backing up your information regularly, you will completely protect yourself from data losses in case of system failures and even server malfunctions. To restore your system after a failure, you simply use a previously created image. By default, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows image files have ".tib" extension and can contain images of several partitions or disks. Images of large partitions or several disks could be sizeable. In that case, an image can be split into several files that together make the original image. A single image can also be split for burning to removable media. Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows can create incremental images. An incremental image contains only data from those hard disk sectors that changed after the previous disk image (full or incremental) was created. Thus such an image is significantly smaller and takes less time to create than a full image. However, as it does not contain all the necessary information about disks (partitions), it requires all the previous incremental images and the initial complete image for restoration. You can create incremental images frequently, as they need less space than complete ones and take less time to create. An incremental image created after a disk is defragmented might be considerably larger than usual. This is because the defragmentation program changes file locations on disk and incremental images reflect these changes. Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 7 Introduction An incremental image set enables you to restore a disk to any of the states stored in these images. Having created a complete image once and then creating an incremental image each day of a month, you will get the same result as if you created complete images every day. But the cost in time and disk space will be as little as one tenth as much. Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows stores only those hard disk parts that contain data (for supported partition types). This reduces image size and speeds up image creation and restoration. A partition image includes all files and folders independently of their attributes (including hidden and system files), boot record, FAT, and Root. A disk image includes images of all disk partitions as well as the zero track with Master Boot Record (MBR). 1.4 Software usage terms and conditions The conditions for Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows software usage are described in the «License agreement» (page 3 of this guide). The unique registration number is the confirmation of your legal purchase and use of Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows on your system. 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. 8 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 Installation and running Chapter 2. Installation and running 2.1 System requirements Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows requires the following hardware: · Pentium CPU or higher · 128 MB RAM · floppy disk drive or CD-RW drive for bootable media creating · mouse (recommended) 2.2 Supported operating systems · Windows Windows NT 4.0 Server SP6 · Windows 2000 Server · Windows 2000 Advanced server · Windows 2003 Server 2.3 Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows installation To install the Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows: 1. Insert the installation CD into your drive and start the installation procedure. 2. Follow the instructions on the screen. 3. After making your installation choices and copying of Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows files onto your hard disk, you will be prompted to create a bootable diskette or CD-R/RW (you can omit this step if you have purchased the boxed product that contains a bootable CD). While Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows creates disk images in Windows, it might be necessary to run restoration procedure from a bootable disk. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you create one. However, you can do that after the installation as well. After installation of Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows is completed, you should restart your server. Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 9 Installation and running When installed, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows 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 images as virtual disks (see Chapter 6 "Browsing and restoring particular files" of this manual). You can also install Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows unattendedly using command line or Run box in the Start menu. To do this: type in a command line or in Run box a command: /silent /serial = "AAAAA-BBBBB-CCCCC-DDDDD-EEEEE" where AAAAA-BBBBB-CCCCC-DDDDD-EEEEE is a serial number of your personal copy of Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows. 2.4 Running Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows In normal mode, you can run Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows from Windows by selecting Acronis TrueImage Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows from Start Programs. This will bring the program window on the screen. 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 "Acronis Startup Recovery Manager" to learn more about this procedure. To run the program, press F11 during server bootup, when you see a message that tells you to press that key. Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows will be run in the standalone mode, allowing you to restore previously created images or an image from the Acronis Secure Zone. If your disk data is totally corrupted and you can not boot (or if you have not activated Acronis Startup Recovery Manager), you should use the bootable media supplied with the retail box version or created during the installation procedure. It will automatically load Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows allowing you to recover the damaged partitions. 2.5 Removing the program To remove Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows from your server, select Acronis True Image Uninstall Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows in the Programs menu. You will see a dialog to confirm the program removal. Click Yes to confirm and Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows will be completely removed. 10 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 General program information Chapter 3. General program information 3.1 Main program window The main program window contains the menu, the toolbar, the sidebar and the main area. The main area contains operation icons, the sidebar features Operations, Tools and Details panels. The main program window Most of the operations are represented two or even three times in different window areas, providing several ways of their selection for more convenience. Having selected an operation by clicking it, you can run it as follows: by doubleclicking its icon, by selecting Start now in the Operations menu, by selecting the operation in the Operations window, or by clicking Start now on the toolbar. The main window contains operation icons divided into three groups. The Disk Imaging group contains disk image operations: · Create Image ­ create a disk (partition) image. · Restore Image ­ restore a disk (partition) from a previously created image. · Explore Image ­ connect an image as a virtual drive. · Unplug Image ­ disconnect the connected virtual drive. Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 11 General program information The New Disk Deployment group includes operations required when a new disk drive is installed: · Disk Clone ­ transfer the operating system, applications and data from the old disk to the new one. · Add New Disk ­ add a disk for data storage, leaving the operating system and applications on the old one. The Tasks group initially contains only one operation: · Schedule Task ­ create a scheduled disk (partition) image creation task with specified time or periodicity. After a scheduled task is created its icon is added to the group. The total number of group icons depends on the amount of scheduled operations. Program menu The program menu line contains the Operations, View, Tools, and Help items. The Operations menu changes when either an operation icon, or scheduled task is selected. In the first case the menu contains only Start Now to execute the selected operation. For information on managing scheduled tasks, see Chapter 9. · Delete ­ deletes selected operation. Appears only when a scheduled task is selected. The View menu contains items for managing the program window look: · Toolbars ­ contains commands that control toolbar icons. · Common Task Bar ­ enables/disables common task panel in the left area. · Status Bar ­ enables/disables the status bar. · Refresh ­ refreshes the main program window. The Tools menu contains the following items: · Manage Acronis Secure Zone ­ creates a special hidden partition for storing disk (partition) images. · Activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager ­ activates the boot restoration manager. · Check Image ­ runs disk (partition) integrity checking procedure. · Create Bootable Rescue Media ­ runs the bootable media creation procedure. · Show Log ­ opens a window with logs. · Options ­ font and email/Winpopup notification settings. The Help menu is used to invoke help and information about Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows. 12 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 General program information Status bar In the bottom of the main window there is a status bar divided into two parts. The left part briefly describes the selected operation; the right one indicates image operations progress and results. A double-click on the operation progress line opens the operation progress window. If you double-click on the operation results, you will see the logs window (see "Viewing logs"). Taskbar notification area icon During image creation operations a special indicator icon appears in the notification area (right part of the taskbar with the clocks). If you hover the cursor over it, you will see a tooltip indicating operation progress. This icon doesn't depend on if the main program window is opened. It's present for background execution of scheduled tasks as well. Disk and partition information You can change disk schemes and 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 its header (another click will switch order to the opposite) 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 one contains the properties tree, and the right 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 columns width by dragging their borders with mouse. 3.2 Acronis Secure Zone Acronis Secure Zone is a special hidden partition for storing disk and partition images. Usual applications can't access it for image security purposes. Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 13 General program information If you create an Acronis Secure Zone, it will be listed along with all partitions available for image creation and restoration. The Acronis Secure Zone is primarily meant to be used with Acronis Startup Recovery Manager (see below). It is always available for image creation as long as it has space for it. If there's not enough space, older images will be deleted to provide enough space. This means you can automatically create disk images easily on a schedule (see Chapter 9), and you won't be bothered by zone overflow issues. The Acronis Secure Zone can still be filled completely when creating incremental images. This happens because the program can't delete the first (full) image, since it might be required for restoration. Thus, you should periodically check zone free space, when creating incremental images, to increase it, if necessary, or re-create the basic full image. Acronis Secure Zone can be located on any local disk. It's created at the expense of the unallocated space, if it's available, or at the expense of partitions free space. A server can have only one Acronis Secure Zone. To create it on another disk, you must first delete the existing zone. When you click Manage Acronis Secure Zone in the menu, the program searches for such zone on all local drives. If a zone is found, the wizard will offer you to delete or resize it. If such zone is absent, you'll be prompted to create it. Before you create the Acronis Secure Zone, estimate its size. To do this, start image creation and select disks and partitions to image into the Zone. At the compression level stage you will see estimated image size. Multiply this by about 1.5 to compensate possible inaccuracy of estimation. If you plan to install additional applications or create incremental images, increase the zone size. 3.2.1 Creating Acronis Secure Zone If there are several disks installed, select one on which to create Acronis Secure Zone. Select partitions, from which space will be used to create Acronis Secure Zone. 14 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 General program information Select the partitions to give space for Acronis Secure Zone In the next window, enter the size of the zone or drag the slider. After this, you will be prompted to activate Acronis Recovery Manager, to be able to start Acronis True Image at boot time by pressing F11 key. Alternatively, you can activate this feature later from main program window. After you click Proceed, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows will start creating the Acronis Secure Zone. Progress will be reflected in the special window. If necessary, you can stop zone creation by clicking Cancel. However, the script will be cancelled only after the current operation is finished. Acronis Secure Zone creation might take several minutes or more. Please, wait until the whole procedure is finished. 3.2.2 Resizing Acronis Secure Zone When prompted by the wizard, select Manage Acronis Secure Zone. Select to increase or decrease the Acronis Secure Zone. You might need to increase it to provide more space for images. The opposite situation might arise if either partition lacks free space. After this, select partitions, from which free space will be used to increase Acronis Secure Zone or that will receive free space after the zone is reduced. In the next window, enter the new size of the zone or drag the slider. Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 15 General program information Set the new size for Acronis Secure Zone. Then you will see an Acronis Secure Zone resize script containing a list of briefly described operations to be performed on partitions (disks). After you click Proceed, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows will start resizing the zone. Progress will be reflected in the special window. If necessary, you can stop zone creation by clicking Cancel. However, the script will be cancelled only after the current operation is finished. Secure zone resizing might take several minutes or more. Please wait until the whole procedure is finished. 3.2.3 Deleting the images in Acronis Secure Zone The images saved to Acronis Secure Zone are deleted automatically if required. Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows uses the following scheme to clean up Acronis Secure Zone: · If there is not enough free space in Acronis Secure Zone to create an image, then Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows deletes the most old full image with all subsequent incremental backup images. · If there is only one full image (with subsequent incremental backup images) left and full backup is in progress, then this only full image (with subsequent incremental backup images) is deleted. · Otherwise (only one full image left, and incremental backup is in progress) then you will get a message about space error. In this case you will have to either create full image or increase the Acronis Secure Zone size. 16 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 General program information You can always check how much free space left in Acronis Secure Zone on the second page of the Manage Acronis Secure Zone wizard. 3.2.4 Deleting Acronis Secure Zone When you are prompted by the wizard, select Remove Acronis Secure Zone. Select partitions to which you want to add the space freed from Acronis Secure Zone. In the next window, you will see an Acronis Secure Zone deletion script containing a list of briefly described operations to be performed on partitions (disks). After you click Proceed Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows will start deleting the Acronis Secure Zone. Progress will be reflected in the special window. If necessary, you can stop zone creation by clicking Cancel. However, the script will be cancelled only after the current operation is finished. Acronis Secure Zone deletion might take several minutes or more. Please wait until the whole procedure is finished. Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 17 General program information Acronis Secure Zone deletion will automatically disable Acronis Startup Recovery Manager if it is activated and destroy all images stored in the zone. Acronis Secure Zone can be located on basic disks only. (A basic disk is a physical disk without any dynamic disks.) If a server has only dynamic disks, you will not be able to create the Acronis Secure Zone. To run Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows in standalone mode and quickly restore system partitions from images, we recommend that you install the system to a basic disk, creating the Acronis Secure Zone on the same or another disk that does not contain dynamic disks. Upgrading a disk with an Acronis Secure Zone from basic to dynamic will prevent access to the Acronis Secure Zone and disable the Acronis Startup Recovery Manager. Therefore, we suggest that you delete the Acronis Secure Zone before performing such an operation. 3.3 Acronis Startup Recovery Manager Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows provides Acronis Startup Recovery Manager that enables to run the program without loading the operating system. This feature is useful if Windows won't load for some reason. Using it, you can run Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows by itself to restore damaged partitions from images. To use Acronis Startup Recovery Manager (it must be activated), turn on your server 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 Server 8.0 for Windows that only slightly differs from the Windows version. For information on restoring damaged partitions see Chapter 5. Be careful! Disk letters in standalone Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows might sometimes differ from Windows notation. To activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager, click Activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager. Acronis Startup Recovery Manager cannot be activated if Acronis Secure Zone is missing on the hard disk. If you have not created this Zone before, you will be prompted to do it (see section 3.2.1 above), then Acronis Startup Recovery 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, then 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. 18 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 General program information 3.4 Supported file systems Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows supports the following file systems: · FAT16/32 · NTFS · Ext2/Ext3 · ReiserFS · Linux SWAP · XFS · JFS If a file system is not supported or is corrupted, Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows can copy data using a sector-by-sector approach. For XFS and JFS file systems partition resizing feature is not supported. 3.5 Using dynamic disks and volumes Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows works with dynamic disk images as easy as with basic disk images under Windows. However, as dynamic disks are organized differently than basic, physical disk drives, there are several issues that will impact how you store an image. You can not create an image of the entire dynamic disk, but only of one or more dynamic volumes. This is because a dynamic volume is located on several dynamic disks, so a partial backup would not create a usable image. The current version of the software is not capable of changing the size and file system of an image being restored to a dynamic volume. However, this is possible when you restore a dynamic volume to a basic disk partition. When you create a dynamic volume image, its type information (simple, mirror, and the like) is lost, so the restoration is performed independently. In each case, the program stores and restores volume contents only. If a basic disk image is restored to a dynamic disk, it will destroy the dynamic disk's contents. As a result, you will end up with a basic disk. You can also create and restore an image of a system partition stored on a dynamic disk. If Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows runs from Bootable Rescue media, dynamic disks will be not accessible. To be able to restore a system partition, you must keep its image on a basic, network, or removable disk. Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005 19 General program information 3.6 Backing up to tape drive The current version of Acronis True Image Server 8.0 for Windows supports SCSI tape drives. It can store images on and restore them from tape, store large images to multiple tapes, and append incremental images on to a tape with the existing images. If you have a SCSI tape drive connected to your server, the list of devices available for image storage and restoration will be extended with a name corresponding to the drive type. Images are created on and restored from tapes in the same way as from other devices, with the following exceptions. 1. If you are to use data tapes previously used by other programs, their contents will be cleared 2. A new, full image can be stored on an empty tape only. If you use tapes that already contain data, their contents will be cleared and overwritten 3. Incremental images can be appended to the tape containing the previous image, either full, or incremental 4. You don't have to provide a filename to store an image on or restore it from a tape 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 long. 20 Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005