Back up and restore
ISA Server 2004 includes a backup and restore feature that enables you to save and restore most configuration information. The configuration parameters can be backed up and stored locally in an .xml file. You can save your configuration to any directory and file name.
We recommend that you save the backup files to an NTFS disk partition for maximum security. Furthermore, only administrators of the ISA Server computer should have read permissions to the directory.
Backing up the configuration
ISA Server backs up the server's general configuration information. This includes firewall policy rules, rule elements, alert configuration, cache configuration, and VPN configuration.
We recommend that you back up the configuration after any major modifications, including:
- Changing cache size or location
- Changing firewall policy
- Changing the rule base
- Changing system rules
- Changing the networks, such as changing the network definition or network rules
- Delegating administrative rights or removing delegation
For instructions, see Back up a configuration.
Restoring the configuration
The restore process reconstructs most configuration information.
For instructions, see Restore a configuration.
Reasons to back up the configuration
The primary use of backup and restore functionality in ISA Server is for disaster recovery. You must regularly back up the ISA Server computer so that you can reliably restore the computer in case of a failure. The backup functionality saves the appropriate information, to ensure that an identical configuration can be restored.
The import and export functionality of ISA Server is similar to the backup and restore functionality. The primary purpose of importing and exporting, however, is to copy (clone) a configuration from one ISA Server computer to another.
For information about exporting and importing, see Export and import.
