'raise' command would effectively recreate an exact mirror of the original SME10 but reading the documentation that seems not to be case
Yep, that's where I came across the info - I may have miss interpreted...
Yup.
Nothing much except 'bit for bit' copy will restore it exactly as before. Easy if you use Proxmox and VMs or other disk cloning methods.
That is because most backup methods do not include the core OS stuff, nor additional programs that you have installed.
Your server essentially comprises:
1. Server inc packages & basic config < restore from a download/DVD etc
2. Additional contribs/packages < restore with yum install packagename
3. Configuration items < stored in the server DBS and backed up for you
4. Data < files and emails etc < backed up for you
Disk cloning/VM saves etc do 1 & 2
Affa and others will store all the most important configuration items to enable you to restore your server, plus the data. So they save 3 and 4 above.
But they do not include any of additional RPMs/packages/programs you may require.
Affa does do a 'extras rpms installed' list so you can see what you need to add back.
You can also add include/exclude extra directories, but again this would not really cover installed RPMs/packages which need to be added via an installer.
HTH