Windows Server Monthly Maintenance process & Tape Backup

Owned by Sung Chou
Last updated: Aug 14, 2024 by Eric Zemke
3 min read

*The current schedule is every 3rd Monday. The same as OU IT’s schedule.

Check and Install Updates

  1. Open CMD as admin, type in sconfig and press enter. The usually CMD window will flash and settle on a blue screen called “Server Configuration”.

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  1. Type “ 6 “ and press enter. You’ll be brought to a cscript.exe black window asking if you want to search for (A)ll updates or (R)ecommended updates only.

    1. Press “ A “

  2. Wait for a while the script searches for updates. When updates are found, it’ll give you couple selections. (A)ll updates, (N)o updates or (S)elect a single update

    1. Unless specified, “ A “ all update is the default

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  1. You’ll be prompted to restart after it’s finished. Go ahead and Restart if needed.

  1. Go back step 1 and check again. If a message saying “There are no applicable updates.”, it means you are done.

 

Data Tape Appliance Swaps

We have a tape storage that needs to be swapped for fresh tapes during the maintenance period. The admin credential can be found in LastPass (LL2043 Dell Tape Appliance - also ESXi server template admin).

To Export Media, go to Operations > Export Media

Select the tapes. I usually do 6.

The tape will be filled to the right. When it’s finished, you can pull the slot out.

Put the “Full” tapes to the right

Grab the fresh tapes from LSC (We rotate the tapes in two different location)

 

Put the tapes back in the tape holder and close.

Select library_a > Apply

Select the tapes available and hit apply.

The tape appliance will sort out the new tapes.

When the “Full” tapes collection is getting large, take them to LSC IT Storage closet. There’s a spot for the tapes. Put them on the left and grab the ones on the right. Take them back to Bizzell Server room as the “fresh” tapes to the left.

Done.