Recovery Image and Drivers

[bniknar]

Hi,

I'm backing up my Windows 2012R2 server with System Protection backups, and it's working fine. My server hardware is a Dell T620 server with PERC scsi controllers. Note that these PERC drivers are not part of the Windows 2012R2 installation images; when installing a server from scratch the drivers must be downloaded from Dell and installed during the setup process else the scsi drives won't be recognized.

My question: when I create the bootable recovery media I'm given the choice of using Windows media or creating from the server. I'm doing the latter. Should the bootable recovery media then contain the PERC drivers and recognize the disks upon boot? Of course the only way to be sure it to boot from the recovery media, but I wanted to ask here.

Also, let me know if you have any specific advise on preparing bootable recovery media when custom drivers are involved.

Regards, Brian

[Stuart]

Hi Brian,

Thanks for posting.

Just to clarify the situation, are you manually building the RecoverAssist environment or referring to the bootable backup media option within your backup job?

If building manually through the UI
I would be including the drivers specifically during the building process of the RecoverAssist environment. This way you can make sure that they're available to the recovery environment when needed. I would also create the RecoverAssist disk using an MS issued ISO or installation disk (as this is the recommended option) as Windows Updates can have adverse affects on the boot media; rendering it inoperable in a recovery situation.

This has been documented by other users on our forum at viewtopic.php?f=18&t=8113&p=18841.

If using bootable backup media
This process is automated within the backup job, and will include everything it believes it needs.
There is no manual way to inject drivers with this option however.