Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) instance data is stored in a set of files that is contained in a folder with the same name as the instance. By default, AD LDS database and log files are located in %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft ADAM\instancename where instancename equals the AD LDS instance name. You back up AD LDS instance data by backing up (copying) these files.

Important

Before you back up the AD LDS folder of an instance, use the Services snap-in to confirm that the instance is started. To start Services, click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Services. Because the instance service must be running when the files are backed up, you must use a backup utility (such as Windows Server Backup) that can back up open files.

Membership in the Administrators group, or equivalent, is the minimum required to complete this procedure. Review details about using the appropriate accounts and group memberships at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=83477.

To back up an AD LDS instance using Windows Server Backup
  1. Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Backup.

  2. On the Action menu, click Backup once.

  3. In the Backup Once Wizard, click Different options, and then click Next.

  4. Click Custom, and then click Next.

  5. Select the volume that contains the AD LDS database and log files.

  6. Complete the wizard to begin the backup operation.

Caution

If you backed up data from an NTFS file system volume, it is recommended that you restore the data to an NTFS volume of the same version to prevent loss of data.