I am using e-smith 5.6 and I want to use a tape backup to back up my server. I read on the backup page that when using a tape drive it backs up the WHOLE hard drive. 
Is this true and will I be able to no only restore my data but also my applications too? 
Just want to know because I have a ton of mods in my server and right now I use Norton Ghost once a month to make an image so I can restore that if it crashes and get back all my mods. Then I back up the data to my desktop once a day. 
I know I would have to do a clean install but once I do the restore will it restore EVERYTHING? 
 
 Thanks to everyone for their help!