Questions regarding backup of Exchange Server
hello. i am reviewing out Exchange Backup strategy and want to make sure all the necessary info is getting backed up.
I understand the .log, .stm, .chk and .edm files need to be backed up. Anything else?
Do all these files need to be backed up at the same time? We have the .stm and .edb files on a SAN which replicates data off-site, can I do this at 12 noon and then backup the log and chk files at anohter time, or must they be backed up at the same time to have a successful recovery?
Answers
- If there is an Agent for CA then it should be fine. Just make sure that the backup indicates that the 'Information Store' or Exchange databases are backed up.
You should always test your backups to make sure they are restorable, run a test lab up and test the restore process.
Shaun- Proposed As Answer byJames-LuoMSFT, ModeratorFriday, October 30, 2009 6:02 AM
- Marked As Answer byJames-LuoMSFT, ModeratorThursday, November 05, 2009 4:37 AM
All Replies
- You should use an Exchange-Aware backup utility to backup exchange.
Because you mention STM files, I take it you are using Exchange 2003?
An Exchange-aware backup will FLUSH the log files once a full or incremental backup has been run. This is an important step otherwise you can end up with unlimited number of log files.
Shaun NTBackup can perform an Exchange Aware backup, or lots of other third party backup utilities. Look for Exchange 'Agents'
Shaun- We use CA with the Exchange Agent...does that get everything? Do they all need backed up at the same time?
- If there is an Agent for CA then it should be fine. Just make sure that the backup indicates that the 'Information Store' or Exchange databases are backed up.
You should always test your backups to make sure they are restorable, run a test lab up and test the restore process.
Shaun- Proposed As Answer byJames-LuoMSFT, ModeratorFriday, October 30, 2009 6:02 AM
- Marked As Answer byJames-LuoMSFT, ModeratorThursday, November 05, 2009 4:37 AM
As you mentioned you are no performing a good Exchange Backup, as the others poster said, you need to use a backup utility that be Exchange-Aware, today most of the 3 party vendors supports Exchange Aware backups...there is no way to backup an exchange server as a file system....after succesfull exchange backup, exchange logs are truncated.
Exchange-aware backups, backups all the information necesary to restore the databases, it could be overwritting the original one or in a recovery storage group, if you need to perform a disaster recovery you will need sytem state and database backups.
Hope this help.
Capecol MCSA - MCTS Exchange Server 2007
