How to Back Up a SharePoint Portal Server

SUMMARY

This article describes how to back up a SharePoint Portal Server computer by using the Msdmback script in the Bin folder of your installation.

IMPORTANT: Do not use Ntbackup to back up the workspaces of a SharePoint Portal Server computer; if you do so, the restore operation fails.

MORE INFORMATION

You can use Msdmback to back up the workspaces and their content. This script makes it possible to restore the data to a different server in case there is a problem.

NOTE: Msdmback does not clone the server entirely, the Internet and Information Server (IIS) Metabase is not backed up; therefore, you may lose certain features. When you use the Msdmback script, you can use the following command-line options for the backup process:

•	/b: This option must be specified to start the backup process.
•	*path*: This option is the physical location of the file the data is copied to. The path must include the file name. Msdmback creates the specified file, the file must not exist before you start the backup process.
•	*password* (optional): This option allows you to secure your backup with a password. The password that you type must be typed when you attempt to restore this backup.
•	/a: This option allows you to specify an account which is used for backup and restore operations. You must type the account in the following format: *domain\user password*.
•	/m *computer_name: This option allows you to back up a remote SharePoint Portal Server computer over the network. NOTE*: Server Message Block (SMB) connectivity must be possible between your computer and the remote server. The path for the backup that you specify must be present on the remote computer because the data is stored on the remote computer and not copied to the server that is issuing the backup command.

The following command line is an example of a command line to back up a local SharePoint Portal Server computer:

msdmback /b c:\spsback

After the backup process is completed, you find a single file that contains the workspace content. You can now use Ntbackup to back up this file to tape.

NOTE: The following items are not backed up:

•	The IIS Metabase that contains security settings and additional configuration of the virtual directory.
•	Scheduled tasks for content sources and subscriptions.
•	Lotus Notes configuration of the server.
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