Aelita offers tool for backup, recovery of Active Directory
 
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Aelita Software, known for its remote back-up and disaster recovery tools for Windows NT and 2000, today released Version 6.0 of its flagship product ERDisk, which includes a specialized version that focuses on Microsoft's Active Directory.
With the directory taking on critical user management and security functions in Windows 2000, any problems with its internal workings can spell disaster for network operations.
ERDisk is used to create emergency repair "disks" - copies of boot disks and critical configuration files for individual machines - that are then stored in a central repository.
If a machine crashes, the disks can be used to bring the machine back online.
ERDisk is similar to Microsoft's utility for creating recovery disks but takes it a step further with an automated agent that regularly updates the data from each machine at set intervals. Also, system repairs can be done over a network from a central console.
With ERDisk for Active Directory, Aelita is applying that concept to the directory.
Users have centralized management of back-up and recovery operations for the directory through a graphical user interface. The software can recover directory objects in case of corruption or improper modifications, both of which can cause instability in Active Directory.
At customizable intervals, the software creates backups of directory replicas scattered across the network. Those backups are stored in one or more secure repositories and are further used to restore the replicas if they become corrupted.
Aelita officials say most recovery operations can be completed in 10 minutes.
Administrators can work from an ERDisk console and do not have to physically touch a server, called a domain controller, that runs Active Directory. The software also supports the online recovery of individual objects without having to take the domain controller offline or boot into Directory Services Recovery mode.
The software can be used in conjunction with ERDisk 6.0, which includes remote unattended repair of failed systems and recovery of unbootable computers. It also is integrated with ERDisk for Active Directory to provide a comprehensive back-up and recovery system for Windows 2000.
Repairs using ERDisk and ERDisk for Active Directory can be done remotely over the network using files stored in ERDisk's central repository or copied from the repository onto a floppy disk. A third option, called Advanced Restore, lets administrators copy repair data on any media, including a CD-ROM or DVD disk, and use those disks to upload files onto the downed machine.
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