Windows 2003/XP/2000 define the System state, a set of directories and databases forming the base operating system, which should be backed up/restored together. The system state components are:
·Files in root directory, WFP-protected files (many files from \WINNT\System32 directory-tree).
·System registry.
·COM+ database.
·SysVol directory tree (domain controllers only).
·Active Directory database (domain controllers only).
·Certificate Server (CA) database (Certificate Authority servers only).
·*Cluster database (cluster nodes only).
(*) Cluster database is currently not backed up with Stratesave on Windows 2000. This is used for cluster nodes only. On Windows 2003 Cluster database is backed up with VSS.
Stratesave has a single-icon-selection for System State. System State is always fully backed up if selected, even for a differential backup. For VSS Backups, Service State elements are also included if System State is selected. These are Event Logs, IIS Metabase, and others.
During restore, the System State components should be restored together. But if desired, individual elements of System State can be restored independently. Boot computer with Windows 2003/2000/XP in Directory Services Restore mode, before restoring system state. This is also best policy for restoring System State on Windows 2000/XP Professional, or if directory services are not installed.
For backup of Certificate Authority (CA) database: The CA database and configuration is backed up, but not the certificate (private key). This highly sensitive information should be backed up manually, once after the Certificate Services is installed, or when a new certificate is issued. The Certification Authority tool from Windows 2000 lets you backup the certificate to a password protected file (PKCS # 12 file, .p12 file), which can then be backed up with Stratesave. In the CA tool backup Wizard, select Private key and CA certificate for backup, but don't select Issued certificate log and pending certificate request queue. The later is the CA database, which can be backed up with Stratesave. Alternatively, you can backup the certificate with the certutil command (certutil -backupkey). When the CA database is backed up with Stratesave, be sure to also include the \Winnt\System32\CertSrv\CertEnroll directory in the backup.
Network databases Exchange Server, Active Directory, Certificate Server are not visible and cannot be selected and backed up if the backup server does not have some .DLL files as described here.
The Removable Storage Manager (RSM) database is not defined as part of the system state, but it can also be backed up and restored with the system state components. If removable storage is not used (no autoloader is installed), it is also not necessary to backup and restore the RSM database. Backing up the RSM database activates the RSM service which is normally not started.
See also: How Stratesave backups up the Registry