About backup of filesystem for windows

Issue

• We received questions about the way to back up disk which inclues windows files (os and other data) in following storage configuration.

 Windows server                  Linux server 
        |                            |   ( with LTO device)
        |                            |
        |                            |
        |   External Storage(EMC)    |
    +---|----------------------------|----+
    | +-|-----------+     +----------|--+ |
    | | HDD1        |     | HDD2        | |
    | |             |     |             | |
    | |   (STD)     |     |    (BCV)    | |
    | +-------------+     +-------------+ |
    +-------------------------------------+

• Note:

  • HDD1 is a filesytem for windows and it includes windows os and other data.
  • HDD2 is a copy of HDD1 and the copy is done by storage (EMC) feature.
  • Linux server accesses HDD2 with raw device mapping.
  • Linux server backs up from raw devices to LTO devices.

• Could you please answer following questions?

  • Q1. Are there any problems if the filesystem for windows is backed up with raw device mapping?
  • Q2. We understand that if all areas of target partition are available as raw devices then it is possible to back up filesystem for windows. Is it correct?