Bare Metal Restore: Testing

Topic

This article outlines procedures for Bare Metal Restore (BMR) test requests for machines protected with a Unified Backup solution.

Environment

  • Datto Utilities
  • Datto SIRIS
  • Datto ALTO
  • Datto Endpoint Backup
  • Datto Endpoint Backup with Disaster Recovery
  • Datto Endpoint Backup for PCs

Description

A Bare Metal Restore (BMR) uses a recovery point to completely re-image a machine back to a working state. Datto can provide support for testing Bare Metal Restores with the following conditions:

  • All tests must be scheduled with Datto ahead of time. Datto does not provide support for tests that have not been pre-approved.
  • The partner's network and systems are remaining online. Bringing down the actual production hardware, network or systems is considered a fire drill test. Fire drills are not supported, as they can cause data loss and the possibility of crippling the live environment.
  • All support for BMR testing is best-effort. Datto support is only responsible for troubleshooting the functionality of the Bare Metal Restore process and its features. Datto support is not responsible for the success of the test if the Datto Bare Metal Restore process is proven to be working correctly.
  • The Bare Metal Restore feature is not a deployment tool. It is designed for disaster recovery situations only.
  • A BMR will replace an existing OS. You should never use production hardware to test a BMR

Scheduling a test

A form is currently in the works for partners to submit a request to schedule a BMR test. This article will be updated when the form is live. Until that form is available, you can schedule a test by contacting Datto Technical Support. You'll need to provide the following information:

  • Name of Primary Testing Contact
  • Email
  • Phone Number
  • Agent ID or Device Serial Number
  • Agent Name/Hostname
  • Desired Testing Date
  • Desired Recovery Point Date (Around what time window of completed backups)
  • Testing Hardware (Manufacturer/Model)

NOTE  Do not use production hardware for this test as there will be formatting and a loss of existing data on the system being restored to.

  • Size of Original Agent Disk
  • Size of Destination Agent Disk

NOTE  This must be larger than the original source disk.

  • ISP, Download and Upload speeds (Best estimates)

In addition to having the above information, You should confirm that you have a recent successful screenshot of the agent (within the last week). A recent successful screenshot will be needed to help ensure a clean image is being used to test restore functionality. If there are any screenshot issues, you should submit a separate ticket to troubleshoot screenshot functionality. Any screenshot issues will need to be resolved before the test date.

NOTE  Screenshots are not a feature of Datto Endpoint Backup and therefore an exception to the requirement above.

Determine your needs

  • Datto cannot provide assistance with performing a test that is NOT scheduled. You can of course review appropriate articles, but we do not recommend or support unscheduled BMR tests. Partners run unscheduled tests at their own risk.
  • If you are attempting an offsite disaster recovery test (to test offsits virtualizations for the applicable Unified Backup products) refer to: Preparing for a cloud virtualization test: Policies, procedures, and partner responsibilities.
  • Do not bring down the production machines for any reason before or during the test, that would be considered a fire drill and is not supported.
  • If you have already spun up a test of a recovery option and are experiencing issues, refer to the appropriate restore articles, troubleshoot to the best of your ability, and if you cannot resolve the issue, contact Datto Technical Support.

Datto's Responsibilities

All support for BMR testing is best-effort. Datto support is only responsible for troubleshooting the functionality of the Bare Metal Restore process and its features. Datto support is not responsible for the success of the test if the Datto Bare Metal Restore process is proven to be working correctly.

  • Datto will assist with booting the BMR environment within reason. If the USB can boot to a different machine but not the target machine, it is the partner's responsibility to resolve the issue.
  • Datto can assist with light network troubleshooting.
    • If the Datto Utilities Environment does not allow you to edit the IP address, then it cannot see the network card and an RJ45 - USB adapter will be needed.
    • If the speed of the restore is slow, first check the network speeds/ traffic and target hardware.
    • Datto support is not responsible for resolving any issues with the network.
  • Datto Support will provide guidance and refer to any needed knowledge base articles during the process.
  • Datto Support will assist with issues such as:
    • With the data not transferring once the process has begun.
    • Assisting with manual restore steps, such as manually partitioning the disk or removing leftover restoration clones that can cause errors.
    • Not identifying the drives or finding a proper fit.
    • General troubleshooting on nvme drives. If the drive is not visible then it may not be compatible with the BMR process and we will be unable to troubleshoot further.
    • General troubleshooting if the BMR results in a non-bootable disk.

Datto is not responsible for:

  • Slow data transfer speeds.
  • Non-working drivers. (For example, things like all in one workstations or touchscreens).

Additional Resources