RecoverAssist builder

When a hardware or operating system failure occurs, and a server can no longer start itself, a bootable recovery media can start the system, load a recovery environment and use a System Protection bare-metal backup to recover the server. BackupAssist uses RecoverAssist to create two types of bootable media: bootable backups and standalone bootable media.

Creating a bootable recovery media

This section explains how to create a stand-alone bootable media. A standalone bootable media boots into the RecoverAssist environment and uses a System Protection bare-metal backup on separate media, to recover the server.

Launch BackupAssist and follow these steps:

  1. Select the System tab
  2. Select how you want to make the bootable media
  3. Select either Create a bootable media using the installed version of Windows or Create a bootable media using a Windows installation disk.

  4. Select or confirm the Operating System location
  5. When you make a selection in step 2, the RecoverAssist dialog will open. Confirm the Operating System or provide the location of the installation disk to be used, and click Next.

  6. Add any device drivers that you may require
  7. RecoverAssist let's you add your own drivers to the bootable media. These drivers may be required to give the recovery environment to the backup location and the local hardware. Make your selections, and click Next.

  8. Add any files / folders that you require
  9. You can add your own files and folders to the bootable media and have them available to use when you are performing the recovery. Make your selections, and click Next.

  10. Add what you want to include from the list of tools and applications available
  11. This step displays a list of useful troubleshooting and support tools that you can choose from. Make your selections and click Next.

  12. Select the type of device to be used for the bootable media
  13. RecoverAssist can use removable drives, ISO images or optical disks as bootable media. You can also make a backup media bootable using the Bootable Backup Media option. Make your selections, and click Next.

  14. Select the bootable media to be used
  15. This step allows you to select or browse to the media or location to be used. The screen and options will depend on the type of device selected. When you select Next, the bootable media creation will begin.

    A progress bar will be displayed. Once it has completed, click Finish.

    The bootable media has now been created.

After the RecoverAssist media has been successfully created, you will have an option to either create an additional RecoverAssist media with same settings or close the RecoverAssist builder.

Warning: Any bootable RecoverAssist media created during the BackupAssist trial period it will expire. The RecoverAssist media will need to be re-created once a BackupAssist license has been purchased. This must be done after you purchase a license.

Creating a bootable backup

If you create a System Protection bare-metal backup on an external USB hard disk, the media will be made into a Bootable Backup Media, which can boot a server into a recovery environment and recover the server, without a separate boot disk. When you create the backup job, the media will be made bootable by default, unless you deselect the Make media bootable with RecoverAssist tick box on the Set up destination step.

Disaster Recovery resources

BackupAssist's blog includes Disaster Recovery related articles that explain best practices and advice on how to make the most of BackupAssist in your disaster recovery process.