Topic: Workstation restore

[ansentry]

I had a server crash disk failure. The backup had ran (10PM) before the crash, so the backup is up to date. I have done a fresh install etc of 7.5.1 on another server.
I am now doing a restore, on the restore it has FULL (done Saturday Night) inc001 (Sunday) inc002 (Monday) inc003 (Tuesday)
I am currently restoring the FULL from set.

My question:
Am I correct in thinking that after I do the full I will have to do inc001 then inc002 then inc003?

Thank you help in advance.

[janet]

ansentry

I am currently restoring the FULL from set.
My question:
Am I correct in thinking that after I do the full I will have to do inc001 then inc002 then inc003?

Wrong.

As I understand it, you should select the most recent incremental ie inc003. That will include everything as at that date. The incremental relies on and uses data in the full reference backup.
The idea is that you can restore to any chosen date for which there is a backup (full or incremental). The incrementals will not work unless there is a reference full backup.

[ansentry]

Mary,

Thank you for your reply, I did the full and then 1 and thought this is taking too long, so now I've "Skipped" 2 and am doing 3.

I will know next time to just do the latest one.

Thanks again.

[janet]

ansentry

I did the full and then 1 and thought this is taking too long, so now I've "Skipped" 2 and am doing 3.

Remember you should only restore to a clean install of sme OS.
You should not restore over the top of previous restores as there may be stray settings left behind from the previous restore. eg if an ibay or user etc etc has been deleted later, then it might still be there as it was restored earlier.

[ansentry]

Mary,

Thanks for your reply, I will wait until "3" is finished and do some checking. There have been no changes  of ibays or users for at least 5 months.

If I have to do another fresh install at least I know what to restore now, thanks again

[janet]

ansentry

Checking will not resolve inconsistent entries in your system where earlier restores have happened. In some cases the system sees these, in others it does not see them, bu they are still there. Something might be missing, something might have been added.

I will say it more strongly.

Restores SHOULD ONLY BE MADE to a clean installation of SME server OS.

To do otherwise can lead to a server with inconsistent settings. These can cause problems or issues much later when you least expect it and have forgotten that you did repeated restores to the same system.

I would reinstall SME server and redo the restore correctly (1 off only).

You have been warned.

[ansentry]

Mary,

Thanks I will follow your advice.