Backup & Disaster Recovery
Backup, restoration and resumption of activity: Veeam, Acronis, VSS, RPO, RTO, immutability, replication and restoration tests.
Backup & Disaster Recovery Center
Backup & Disaster Recovery Center — practical IT resource from IT Toolbox.
ResourceDR / BCP & Backup Plan
DR / BCP & Backup Plan — practical IT resource from IT Toolbox.
ResourceFailed backup
Diagnose a failed backup: storage, free space, VSS, philanthropy, network, permissions, and repair
ResourceFree IT tools
Use free browser-based IT tools for networking, DNS, Windows, email, security, diagnostics, PDF workflows and day-to-day administration.
ResourceSQL / Databases Center
SQL Server, MySQL and PostgreSQL diagnostics for connections, authentication, blocking, performance, backups, logs and storage.
ResourceIT Checklists
Interactive IT checklists for recurring operations, infrastructure reviews, security, Microsoft 365, FortiGate and workstation preparation.
ResourceCybersecurity test
Evaluate your cybersecurity level with the BOAI test and identify priority vigilance points in your computer environment
ResourceActive Directory Assistant
Diagnosis DNS AD, replication, GPO, account lock, relationship d, approval, Kerberos and domain certificates
Knowledge hubHome
Free tools, procedures, diagnostics, scripts, dictionary and practical resources for IT technicians, system administrators and SMEs
IT dictionaryRescan Backup Repository
Rescanning a backup repository synchronizes backup software inventory with restore points present on storage.
IT dictionaryScale-Out Backup Repository (SOBR)
A scale-out backup repository combines multiple storage extents into a logical repository with placement and tiering policies.
IT dictionaryBackup Repository
A location where backup files are stored.
IT dictionaryBackup Copy
Backup Copy is a concept or mechanism used to backup to copy restoration points to a second independent location.
IT dictionaryBackup Catalog
a central index describing available backups, their contents, restore points, and locations
IT dictionaryBackup Health Check
a periodic check that rereads or recalculates backup data to detect corruption or inconsistencies before restore time
ResourceHow to check VSS writers when a backup fails
Check VSS writer state and errors near a failed backup, identify the owning application and validate a targeted correction and restore test.
ResourceHow to diagnose VSS Writers before backup
Capture VSS writer states before a backup, identify a failed writer’s application, and preserve evidence before changing services.
ResourceHow to check a synthetic full backup
A synthetic full primarily stresses the backup repository, so we must distinguish source, chain and target storage
ResourceHow to size an immutable backup repository
This BOAI guide provides a structured method for how to dimension an immutable backup without multiplying unnecessary changes
ResourceHow to analyze VSS Event IDs 8193 and 12289
Analyze VSS events 8193 and 12289 using the complete error, HRESULT, writer and provider state, backup-job context and a controlled validation.
ResourceHow to diagnose Event ID 129 and 153
This guide provides a structured method for diagnostics ID 129 and 153
TroubleshootingBackup repository almost full
The space of backup repository approaches saturation, which can cause job failures or prevent new chains
TroubleshootingVSS writer error during backup
A Windows backup fails because a required VSS writer remains in an abnormal Failed or Waiting for completion state.
TroubleshootingA backup fails with a VSS error
Windows backup software fails when creating, a VSS snapshot
ResourceRepository unavailable — Backup repository unavailable
The backup software can no longer join or write in the repository
TroubleshootingImmutable backup repository almost full
L,immutability prevents the removal of old points immediately while storage is filling
ResourceSnapshot vs Backup: what’s the difference?
UnRehabilitate quickly records the state of, volume or machine at a given moment. A backup copies the data to a repository designed for restoration
ProcedureOrganize a backup restore test
Test a real backup restore in an isolated target, validate the application and compare recovery time and recovered data with RTO and RPO.
ProcedureSet up an immutable backup repository
Plan a Veeam Linux hardened repository, validate product-managed immutability and restricted administration, then prove recovery using an isolated restore.
ProcedureDiagnose a VSS backup error
Control the writers, services, snapshots space and events before restarting Acronis or Veeam
ProcedureImplement a 3-2-1 backup strategy
Design multiple copies, on separate media, with at least one external or isolated copy
ProcedureConfigure a Backup Copy to a second site
Controlled procedure to configure a backup copy to a second site
ProcedureDeploy BitLocker with key backup
Controlled procedure to deploy bitlocker with key backup
ResourceBackup & VSS — Cheat sheet
Backup verification, VSS writers and providers, recovery objectives, backup chains and restore testing.
ResourceWordPress — Express troubleshooting
WordPress diagnostics for PHP logs, plugins, themes, database access, email delivery and recovery mode.
ResourceRobocopy — memo sheet
Robocopy options for file migration, permissions, restartable copies, logging, dry runs and return-code interpretation.
ResourcePowerShell — Essential commands
PowerShell commands for Windows administration, services, events, networking, files and remote sessions.
ResourceWindows network — diagnostic memo
Windows commands for IP configuration, DHCP, DNS, routes, TCP ports and network troubleshooting.
ResourceSMTP, SPF, DKIM & DMARC — Cheat sheet
SMTP delivery, SPF, DKIM, DMARC alignment, DNS records and email authentication troubleshooting.
Knowledge hubVMware
VMware resources for ESXi, vCenter, v sphere, VMDK, philanthropy, data store, shared storage, HA and vMotion
Knowledge hubWindows Server
Windows Server diagnostic and administration: services, RDP, storage, VSS, Event ID, Power Shell, certificates and updates
Knowledge hubCybersecurity
Defensive resources for phishing, ransomware, compromised accounts, MFA, hardening,19th, incidents and protection of backups
Knowledge hubProxmox VE
Proxmox VE administration and troubleshooting: nodes, QEMU VM, LXC, Cluster, Ceph containers, storage, backups, migration and network
Knowledge hubHyper-V
Hyper-V administration and troubleshooting: virtual machines, VHDX, Stewarts, vSwitch, Live Migration, replication, Failover Cluster and CSV storage
Knowledge hubStorage / NAS / SAN
Company storage: Rsid, SMART, NAS, SMB/NFS, iSCSI, MPIO, LUN, SAN, ZFS, LVM, PORTOS, capacity and performance
Knowledge hubSQL / Databases
SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB and PostgreSQL administration and troubleshooting: connections, performance, blocking, backups, logs and storage