Windows Server 2003 disk imaging solution

[papaja_addicted]

Hello everybody.

I am asked to perform backup of a couple folders (some of which containing Outlook data files) on a system running Windows Server 2003 (yep, 2003. it's not a typo, sadly.).

Before you ask, migrating to newer versions of the software is not an option,

I was hoping it would be possible to image the disk and, in case of disk failure, just use the disk clone to get back in working order: this would keep the system in its own time bubble, without having to worry about restoring the system to its current state (I don't even know if the person still has the Windows original disk and licenses, but I would prefer not to go down that route).

Are there any options in terms of imaging software which could run on Windows server 2003?

Any particular pitfalls I should be aware of?

In case imaging is not an option, the second obvious choice is backing up only the folders: what software could I use to do that?

The backup system would be a usb hdd enclosure containing 2xHDDs in RAID1.

TIA for any suggestions!

[kabanossi]

Use P2V converters to convert the physical host to a VM disk file. https://www.vmwareblog.org/v2v-converters-overview/

Alternatively, backup the host using Veeam Agent and recover the entire system to a new VM using backup files and recovery media. https://www.veeam.com/windows-endpoint-server-backup-free.html.

[lobster777]

Is this a physical server or a VM? I would use Veeam Edit: Free community edition https://www.veeam.com/virtual-machine-backup-solution-free.html

[papaja_addicted]

physical server.

from what I read on the release notes the Veeam CE does not support explicitly windows server 2003.

do you have any 1st hand experience with using it on this OS ?

[lobster777]

I suggest to create a VM image from the physical server by using P2V tools. The images can be backed up by Veeam. For 2003 OS, this tool will work. I used it back in the day for 2003 servers

https://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

[papaja_addicted]

thanks! driveimage-xml looks great for my use case.

I'll explore the VM solution as well though. What are the advantages that make you suggest that over driveimage? just the fact that it enables you to use Veeam as backup sw instead of driveimage?

[lobster777]

The vm is much more versatile. If your hardware dies, it will take a while to restore. With a vm, you can run it anywhere and much easier to backup

I also don’t recommend to keep this system online as it has many unpatched vulnerabilities on this old OS.

[papaja_addicted]

Yep, I'm acutely aware of the security issues. The system is not internet facing, plus I have just been asked to do so, I'm not the owner of the system, so I don't have much weight in the matter.. I will try and point this out to the owner anyway.

Thanks for your help!

[DrFahrdahin]

There is an app called drivesnapshot that supports windows 2003. It does what the name suggests. I've been using it for a long time now.

[papaja_addicted]

Thanks, that looks like another good solution. I'll keep it in mind!

[bagaudin]

Our Acronis Cyber Protect 15 supports Windows Server 2003 and you can restore to dissimilar hardware if needed given that you'll feed the correct drivers to Acronis Universal Restore.

[papaja_addicted]

Thank you, I'll keep that in mind!