Introduction
ISA Server 2004 includes a new and enhanced backup and restore feature set. In ISA Server 2000, the integrated backup utility could back up the ISA Server 2000 firewall configuration. That backup file could be used to restore the configuration to the same installation on the same machine. However, if the operating system or hardware experienced a catastrophic problem requiring disaster recovery, the backup file could not be used to restore the firewall configuration.
In contrast, the ISA Server 2004 backup utility allows you to back up the entire firewall configuration or just selected elements. You can restore the configuration to the same ISA Server 2004 firewall installation on the same machine, or restore it to another ISA Server 2004 firewall on another machine. Backups should be done after performing one or more of the following procedures:
•Changing cache size or location
•Changing firewall policy
•Changing rule base
•Changing system rules
•Making changes to networks, such as, changing network definition or network rules
•Delegating administrative rights or removing delegation
The import/export feature allows you to export selected components of the firewall configuration and use them on the same machine at another time, or install those components to another machine. The import/export functionality can also be used to export the entire configuration of the machine as a method of cloning for more widespread distribution.
It is a good practice to perform a backup operation immediately after installing the ISA Server 2004 firewall software. This makes it easier to restore the firewall components to their post- installation state in the event that you want to completely remove an existing configuration and start from the beginning without reinstalling the software.
In this ISA Server 2004 Configuration Guide section, we will describe the following procedures:
•Backing up the Firewall Configuration
•Restoring the Firewall Configuration from the Backup File
•Exporting Firewall Policy
•Importing Firewall Policy
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