System�State�Data

Several features in the windows server 2003 family make it easy to backup Active
Directory. You can backup Active Directory while the server is online and other
network function can continue to function.
System state data on a domain controller includes the following components:
Active Directory system state data does not contain Active Directory unless the
server, on which you are backing up the system state data, is a domain controller.
Active Directory is present only on domain controllers.
The SYSVOL shared folder: This shared folder contains Group policy templates and
logon scripts. The SYSVOL shared folder is present only on domain controllers.
The Registry: This database repository contains information about the computer�s
configuration.
System startup files: Windows Server 2003 requires these files during its initial
startup phase. They include the boot and system files that are under windows file
protection and used by windows to load, configure, and run the operating system.
The COM+ Class Registration database: The Class registration is a database of
information about Component Services applications.
The Certificate Services database: This database contains certificates that a
server running Windows server 2003 uses to authenticate users. The Certificate
Services database is present only if the server is operating as a certificate
server.
System state data contains most elements of a system�s configuration, but it may
not include all of the information that you require recovering data from a system
failure. Therefore, be sure to backup all boot and system volumes, including the
System State, when you back up your server.
Restoring Active Directory
In Windows Server 2003 family, you can restore the Active Directory database if it
becomes corrupted or is destroyed because of hardware or software failures. You
must restore the Active Directory database when objects in Active Directory are
changed or deleted.