If all components of a Windows cluster fail and the cluster is protected as described in Add backup jobs for a Windows cluster, you can recover the cluster.
To recover an entire Windows cluster:
1. Recover one cluster node by doing the following:
a. On a replacement machine that has similar hardware to one of the original cluster nodes, launch the System Restore application.
For detailed procedures and information, see the System Restore User Guide.
b. Restore system volumes from a BMR backup of the original cluster node (Job B in Add backup jobs for a Windows cluster).
c. If required at the end of the restore, repair drivers on the system.
d. Reboot and then log in to the replacement node.
e. Configure network adaptors on the replacement node with the same network settings as the original node (i.e., same IP addresses and DNS entries).
2. On the restored cluster node, recreate the cluster disks. Format the disks and assign the original drive letters.
3. On the restored cluster node, stop the Cluster service. For a SQL Server cluster, also stop the SQL Server service.
4. If required, restore quorum data to its original location. Using Portal, run a “Restore from another computer” on the restored cluster node. Restore the quorum disk from an Image or local system backup job on the virtual server for the cluster core (Job A in Add backup jobs for a Windows cluster).
5. Restore cluster volumes to their original locations. Using Portal, run a “Restore from another computer” on the restored cluster node for each cluster role. Restore cluster volumes from an Image or local system backup job on the virtual server for each cluster role (Job C in Add backup jobs for a Windows cluster).
6. Start the cluster service.
7. Using the Failover Cluster Manager, connect to the cluster.
8. Start the cluster roles.
9. Repair the cluster disks and assign the original drive letters. Bring the cluster disks online.
For more information about repairing cluster disks and bringing them online, see documentation from Microsoft.
10. For a SQL Server cluster, use Portal to run a “Restore from another computer” on the restored cluster node. Restore SQL Server databases from a SQL Server Plug-in job on the virtual server for the SQL Server role (Job D in Add backup jobs for a Windows cluster). Restore the databases to their original locations.
11. For each remaining cluster node, do the following:
a. On a replacement machine that has similar hardware to the original cluster node, launch the System Restore application.
For detailed procedures and information, see the System Restore User Guide.
b. Restore system volumes from the BMR backup of the original cluster node (Job B in Add backup jobs for a Windows cluster).
c. If required at the end of the restore, repair drivers on the system.
d. Reboot the machine.
e. Log in to the machine.
f. Configure network adaptors with the same network settings as the original node (i.e., same IP addresses and DNS entries).
g. If required, reconnect all cluster disks.