Backup and Restore a WINS Database

Backup and Restore a WINS Database

If you are unable to repair a corrupt database that has been caused by a system failure, a virus attach, a power failure, or a similar disaster, you can first delete the WINS database and then entirely restore it from a backup. The WINS management console is a comprehensive tool which can be used to plan and perform a WINS database backup. Once the database backup directory has been specified, by default, WINS takes complete backup after every 24 hours and stores it in that directory. The WINS management console also provides a backup option which you can use to restore a server database if corruption should occur.

 Procedure for Specifying a Backup Directory and Initiating a Manual Backup

 To specify a backup directory for the WINS database:

 1. In the WINS console options, right click the WINS server that you want to backup and then click properties.

 2. On the general tab in the Default backup path box, type the name of the path of the directory that WINS server uses for database backups.

Note: When WINS backs up the server database, it creates a Wins_bakNew Folder in the backup folder that you specify. Current and any previous backups of the WINS database which is normally the Wins.mdb file, is stored in this folder. It is very essential to make sure the backup path is located on the local computer itself. Root drive is set as the default backup path. The backup folder must be located on the local computer. WINS automatically performs a full backup of its database to this directory every 24 hours. WINS uses this directory to perform an automatic restoration of the database if the database is found to be corrupted when WINS is started. Never specify a network path or a MAP drive path.

 3. On the general tab, if required, select the Backup database during server shutdown option followed by OK.

 Procedure for Manually Backing up a WINS database

 To manually backup a WINS database:

 1. In WINS console, right click on the server name that you would like to backup and select the option Back UP Database.

 2. In the Browse for folder dialog box, select the folder to which you want to backup the WINS database, and then click ok.

Restoring a WINS Database

 Restoring a WINS database involves first stopping the WINS service. Because a server might require several minutes of processing before it can effectively stop WINS, make sure that the service is completely stopped before you begin the restore process. Before you restore the database, make sure you have deleted all necessary files available in that folder path located on the local WINS server, used in restoring the database.

 Procedure for Restoring a WINS database

 In the event that the WINS database becomes corrupt and cannot be repaired, restore it from a recent backup. To restore a WINS database from a recent backup:

 1. Stop the WINS service either from the WINS management console or from the services console. If the server is very busy it might take some time before the service is completely stopped. Therefore, wait until you have noticed that the service has stopped before proceeding with any database restore.

 2. Make sure the WINS restore folder does not contain any existing files. Therefore, delete them all well before restoring the database. If you want to find out which path has been selected for restoration then it can be found at the WINS server name properties, advanced tab.

 3. In WINS, right-click the name of the server that you are configuring, and then click Restore Database. Once the WINS service is stopped, the Restore Database option will be available. (Note: It is very important to stop the WINS service otherwise the restore database option will be grayed out) Some times, you will have to refresh the WINS console to let the latest changes to the WINS service (which is now stopped) reported effectively to the management console. You can do this by selecting the required WINS server an picking the refresh option that becomes available when you right click on the WINS server name.

 4. Use the Browse button to search for that specific backup Folder, click the folder that you have used last time to store the back up of the WINS database. After selecting the folder, click OK twice to close and apply the changes.

 5. Before proceeding with the restoration process, make sure the WINS needs to compare the backup path specified for restoration with the one specified under the WINS server properties, backup path.

Reference:

http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-backup-and-restore-a-wins-database.html