I need to make a one-time backup of an old Windows server to tape. The plan is to store the tapes, tape drive, required adapters, restore instructions, and the software needed to recover the system on a thumb drive. I don't expect to restore it often, but I need a credible best-effort recovery plan for auditing purposes over the next 10 years. Ideally, the solution should not depend on an ongoing subscription or license renewal.
4 Answers
You could use Sysinternals Disk2vhd to create a VHD or VHDX, then store that file on tape or multiple external drives. The image can be mounted later from a normal Windows machine, which may be easier than relying on specialized backup software. If databases or other actively changing files are involved, stop the relevant services first so the image is consistent.
Veeam’s free edition may be enough for a one-time image backup, but make sure you also preserve the installer and document the exact version and restore process. Test the backup before storing it, and consider making two tapes.
For a simple, license-independent approach, create a full disk image and write that image to tape. A Linux system with `dd` can make a raw image, while `tar` can archive files directly. A raw image is preferable if the goal is to restore the server as a bootable system; file-level archiving is fine if you only need to recover individual files.
Don’t preserve only the backup file. Keep printed recovery instructions, the exact software versions, checksums, the tape drive, its interface hardware and cables, and at least two copies of the media. LTFS is another option if the tape hardware supports it, since it makes the tape behave more like a filesystem. Regardless of the method, perform a test restore and periodically verify that the media is still readable.
For an audit-only requirement, several copies on encrypted external drives may be simpler than tape. Anyone with a USB drive can access the image, whereas tape recovery also depends on preserving a compatible drive, interface card, cables, and someone who knows how to use them.