Importing the ISA Server Configuration :
When you import a previously exported file, all properties and settings defined in the file are imported, overwriting the current configuration on the ISA Server computer. However, if you export only a specific component, such as a specific firewall rule, the file import overwrites only that particular rule.
To import the ISA Server configuration, complete the following procedure:
1. Open ISA Server Management.
2. Select the object whose settings you want to import. You must select the correct type of object for the configuration file that you are using.
3. On the Tasks tab, click the import task. The exact name for the task will vary,depending on the type of object that you selected.
4. Select the exported .xml file and click Import.
5. Click Apply to apply the changes and click OK when the changes have been applied.
How to Back Up and Restore the ISA Server Configuration :
ISA Server 2004 also includes backup and restore features that enable you to save and restore the ISA Server configuration information. The backup procedure also stores the configuration information in an .xml file.
The primary use of the backup and restore option in ISA Server is for disaster recovery. You should regularly back up the configuration on the ISA Server computer so that you can restore the computer with the same settings in case of a computer failure. The backup functionality saves the appropriate information to ensure that an identical configuration can be restored.
Backing up an ISA Server configuration backs up all configuration options on the server. This includes firewall policy rules, rule elements, alert configuration, cache configuration, system policy and VPN configuration. One of the differences between backing up the server configuration and exporting the configuration is that you can only back up the entire ISA Server configuration, not individual components or groups of components.
The restore process reconstructs the configuration information that was backed up. By restoring a backup, you can rebuild the ISA Server configuration or restore it after a configuration error.
To back up and restore the ISA Server configuration, complete the following procedure:
1. Open ISA Server Management and click the server name. The option to back up and restore the ISA Server configuration is available only when you select the server name.
2. On the Tasks tab, click Backup This ISA Server Configuration.
3. Enter a file name for the backup file and click Backup.
4. You must provide a password for the ISA Server backup
5. To restore the backup, click the server name in ISA Server Management. Then click Restore this ISA Server Configuration and select the appropriate ISA Server backup file.
6. Click Apply to apply the changes and click OK when the changes have been applied.
Maintaining ISA Server 2004
