Using WinPE to Launch Server Recovery (restore)

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize (More info?)

Currently, It appears the standard server recovery process (for example when
there are multiple drive failures within an Array and the drives are
replaced), is to install the same veriosn of the original OS in the same
location with the same configuration and then install the backup software and
restore over the top.

There are variations on this theme using W2K3 ASR or a customised version of
ASR to recover the server however these all have the same issue - you need to
create and maintain a configuration diskette which is unique to each server.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has a better way of doing such a bare metal
restore.

Ideally it should be generic within the Windows on Intel space (i.e. one CD
for supported MS OSes, though use of a drivers disk may assist). And it
should support Arcserve variants, TSM, NTBackup and Veritas (others would be
a bonus).

Conceptually I have been toying with the idea of using a customised build of
WinPE using W2K3 source files, a Ramdrive for temporary storage, and
installing NTbackup and Arcserve Disaster Recovery Wizard. I know WinPE
doesn't normally support the TAPE API but would have thought a restore from a
share would be possible.

If anyone has done this, can assist in doing this, or has another solution,
Please contact me.

Regards
Geoff