How SCCM Site Backup Works, A Complete Guide for SCCM backup and recovery Options that are available
A complete backup for a ConfigMgr site consists of data, files, registry on the Site Server as well as SQL Database. As per the predefined schedule, Backup ConfigMgr Site Server maintenance task captures and copies the required data (Site Database, Registry Keys, and specific files and folders) automatically to a predefined backup location. An AfterBackup.bat file can be used to automate post-backup tasks once the backup maintenance task runs successfully.
Figure How Site Backup works
Backup Site Server maintenance task can be used to automatically backup Configuration Manager site. When the Configuration Manager backup service runs, it follows the instructions defined in the backup control file (<ConfigMgrInstallationFolder>\Inboxes\Smsbkup.box\Smsbkup.ctl). Backup control file can be modified to change the behavior of the backup service. Site backup status information is written to the Smsbkup.log file. This log file is created in the destination folder that is specified in the Backup Site Server maintenance task properties.
Backup / Recovery procedures
Most important is the Backup Site Server Maintenance task. This is by default disabled and must be enabled manually.
Backup Maintenance Task
In this link http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg712697.aspx backup and recovery is described in detail. Make sure that the SCCM Backup Maintenance Task runs every night to produce a backup snapshot of the database AND that the backup snapshot produced is copied over to more secure media, e.g tape, that is stored over a period of time.
Each time the SCCM Backup Maintenance Task is run it overwrites the previous backup snapshot.
From time to time it is a good practice to verify it is possible to restore the backup. This must be done in an offline environment where the servername, sitename and so on can be copied without disturbing the production environment.
Volume Shadow Copy Service in SCCM 2012
Configuration Manager backup task uses Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to create backup snapshot. VSS is essentially a framework which facilitates communication between applications, storage subsystems, and storage management applications (including backup applications) in order to define point-in-time copies of storage data. These point-in-time copies, or shadow copies, of site server and site database information are used to backup and restore Configuration Manager sites. By using VSS shadow copies, the Backup ConfigMgr Site Server maintenance task is able to minimize off-line times for site servers.
What is SMS Writer Service in SCCM 2012 ?
The SMS Writer is a service that interacts with the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) during the backup process. The SMS Writer service must be running for the Configuration Manager site back up to successfully complete.
For more information about SMS Writer Service, follow the Technet Article: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg712697.aspx#BKMK_SMSWriterService
What is included in the SCCM 2012 backup?
A complete backup of a Configuration Manager site server includes the following
1. The Configuration Manager site database (SQL)
2. <Installation Folder>\Bin
3. <Installation Folder>\Inboxes
4. <Installation Folder>\Logs
5. <Installation Folder>\Data
6. <Installation Folder>\srvactt
7. <Installation Folder>\install.map
8. HKLM\Software\Microsoft\SMS registry key
What is NOT included in the SCCM 2012 backup?
The Backup ConfigMgr Site Server maintenance task does not backup all Configuration Manager files.
· Some Configuration Manager 2012 site systems contain site data that is easily recreated if the site fails and are not backed up during the site backup process. For example, there is no need to backup data from site systems such as Distribution Points and Management Points.
Note: Depending on the SLA’s, it may be necessary to backup all the Distribution Points in order to get the site up and running in a faster manner.
· It is not necessary to back up the SQL Server master database when backing up the Configuration Manager Site Database. The Backup ConfigMgr Site Server maintenance task backs up all of the required information for restoring the site from the SQL Server hosting the site database as part of the backup process. The original SQL Server master database is not required for restoring the site database on a new SQL database server.
· Custom Reporting Services reports are not backed up by the Backup ConfigMgr Site Server maintenance task. Custom reports must be backed up using Reporting Services and Report Server Database files.
· Content Library must be restored before content is redistributed to distribution points.
· Package Source Files (including packages for Software Updates) must be restored before the content is updated on distribution points.
· WSUS doesn’t get backed up using ConfigMgr Site Server maintenance task.
For more information, follow the TechNet article: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg712697.aspx#BKMK_SupplementalBackup
How can I Archiving the Backup Snapshot using AfterBackup.bat
The first time the Backup Site Server maintenance task runs, it creates a backup snapshot, which can be used to recover the site server in case of a failure. When the backup task runs again during subsequent cycles, it creates a new backup snapshot that overwrites the previous snapshot. It is recommended to use AfterBackup.bat file for archiving backup snapshot. For more information, follow the TechNet article: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg712697.aspx#BKMK_UsingAfterBackup
Where can I Configuring Backup Site Server maintenance task
Backup Site Server maintenance task must be enabled and configured to backup Configuration Manager site automatically as per pre-defined schedule. It copies the backup to a pre-defined location.
For more information about enabling site backup maintenance task, the following TechNet article can be followed: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg712697.aspx#BKMK_BackupMaintenanceTask
How can I Performing Unscheduled Backup in SCCM 2012 ?
It is recommended to perform unscheduled backup of the ConfigMgr site whenever changes are made to the ConfigMgr hierarchy. Unscheduled Backup can be performed by starting the SMS_SITE_BACKUP service on the site server.
How to verify SCCM Backup completed status ?
Backup Site Server maintenance task should be verified to see if it is running successfully to ensure that there is enough preparation to recover the site if it fails, and also to help plan for disaster recovery. To do so, check that the time stamps on the files in the backup destination folder created by the Backup Site Server maintenance task match the last time that the maintenance task should have run.
If the time stamps on the files in the backup destination folder do not match the last time that the Backup Site Server maintenance task was scheduled to run, review the SMS_SITE_BACKUP component for warnings and errors. For more information, follow the TechNet article: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg712697.aspx#BKMK_BackupMaintenanceTask
Note: After each backup cycle, it is recommended to verify and ensure that backup completed successfully as part of your Daily checks
What are the SCCM 2012 Recovery Options available ?
Configuration Manager 2012 recovery is now integrated in the ConfigMgr Setup Wizard. There are multiple options available for recovering
| Recovery option for | Recovery option available |
| Site Server | Recover the site server from a backup Reinstall the site server |
| Site Database | Recover the site database from a backup Create a new site database Use a site database that has been manually recovered Skip database recovery |
Above is the Recovery options Table
For more information about Recovery options, follow the TechNet article: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg712697.aspx#BKMK_DetermineRecoveryOptions
What are the Post Recovery Tasks to be done in SCCM 2012
What are the Post Recovery checks for SCCM 2012
After the site has been recovered, there are few post-recovery tasks that must be performed to complete the site recovery.
Re-enter User Accounts Passwords: User account passwords for the user accounts specified in the site must be re-entered, because all the passwords are reset during site recovery.
Reinstall Hotfixes: Any hotfixes which were applied to the site server must be reinstalled.
Recover Custom Reports: All the custom reports need to be re-imported.
Recover Content Files: Content library and package source files must be restored on the original locations.
For more information, follow the Technet Article: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg712697.aspx#BKMK_PostRecovery
What are the Scenarios for SCCM infrastructure recovery was tested by myself
What are the SCCM Recovery options available or situations that may encounter
There are few things to keep in mind while planning Backup and Recovery procedures for SCCM infrastructure.
1. Disaster Recovery has only been tested in a “Single Server – Single Primary” scenario. This includes ConfigMgr 2012 Primary Site and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP1 R2 CU6 running on same server(in my test Case).
2. The following table lists the disaster recovery scenarios have been successfully tested
| S. No | Scenario | Recovery Process | Wizard Selection | Result |
| 1 | SCCM: Running | SCCM: None | SCCM: None | Success |
| 2 | SCCM: Running | SCCM: None | SCCM: None | Success |
| 3 | SCCM: Down | SCCM: SCCM Site Maintenance Backup | SCCM: Recover the site server from a backup | Success |
| 4 | SCCM: Down | SCCM: Site Maintenance Backup | SCCM: Recover the site server from a backup | Success |
| 5 | SCCM: Down | SCCM: New Site | SCCM: Reinstall the site server | Success |
| 6 | SCCM: Down | SCCM: New Site | SCCM: Reinstall the site server SQL: Recover the site database from a backup | Success |
| 7 | SCCM: Down | SCCM: Site Maintenance Backup | SCCM: Recover the site server from a backup | Not Possible |
| 8 | SCCM: Down | SCCM: Site Maintenance Backup | SCCM: Recover the site server from a backup | Success |
Tested scenarios of SCCM 2012
The options mentioned in the Wizard selection can be seen in the following screenshot. Detailed description about each option is available at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg712697.aspx#BKMK_DetermineRecoveryOptions
The above would be mostly covered the SCCM 2012 Back and Recovery
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