backup and restore of exchange

[NATCAT]

Hi All,

I need to do a repair/reinstall of exchange 2003. I am using arcserve 11 to perform a backup of the files before the reinstall.But I'd like a backup-backup plan in case of problems.

Is there anyway to backup exchange files on the server so that if something goes wrong I don't have spend the time restoring from the tape ?

Eg I'm know that I can copy the pub and priv databases but can I simply copy them back to the same folder after installation (if needs be) and have it work seemlessly ?

 

[TidyTrax]

You'll need to run, eseutil on the files if you do it that way - as the stores will be in an inconsistant state - once you remount the stores you may also have to reconnect the mailbox to the AD user account,

 

[NATCAT]

TidyTrax,

I think I can read the help on the eseutil files.

But are you saying that I should do this on the on the priv and pub databases before I copy them into the relevant folders ?

 

[NATCAT]

Also,

How what is the procedure for rejoining the mailboxes to the each AD account ?

 

[Zelandakh]

a) why do you need to repair / reinstall?
b) *.edb and *.stm and the contents of mdbdata will be needed
c) exmerge the lot out for additional safety
d) throw away arcserve if possible and either use Backup Exec with the Exchange agent or use ntbackup and a copy of Aelita Recovery Manager (I should be on commission I recommend that so much).

Depending on your problem, create a new Store and move the mailboxes. Sorts a lot out. usually.

 

[NATCAT]

Zelandakh

a) My main problem is that my exchange 2003 box does not send email after a certain time unless I reboot the server. Since I can find no error in the log that point to that problem I figure that a reinstall of the smtp service and a repair/install of exchange may be in order.

b) Thanks, I'll copy those folders and save them off the server before I repair. If I lost all my settings and had to do a clean install of exchange, will pasting the *.edb and *.stm and the contents of mdbdata back into thier repective folders put everying back in order (with the exception of the mailboxes) ?

c) I can exmerge the mail boxes but what about the public folers ? Is there a wizard to restore the mailboxes in exchange once i've exported them using exmerge ?

d) How do I know you arne't getting a commision ? ;-) I used arcsrve and recommended it to all my customers. Then I started getting nothing but problems. So i'm trying out backup exec for the time being.

Thanks for the help

 

[NATCAT]

I found this link and it pretty much gives me all I need for this.

http://www.petri.co.il/brick_level_backup_of_mailboxes_by_using_exmerge.htm

I'll let you know how I restored the data if anything went wrong.

 

[Zelandakh]

Yes, Daniel's got a lot of stuff on his site that is very useful to Exchange Admins.

a) What is in the event log about the SMTP sending? It could be something as simple as a DNS issue. Equally, are you fully Windows updated and Exchange SP'd? Try that first.

b) If you have same org, site, service and patch level this should work fine.

c) Yes, public folders would be an issue.

d) I'm not getting one, more is the pity. Backup Exec is a great product - been using it for...yikes, I'm getting old.

 

[NATCAT]

Actually, I ran the smtpdiag and dnsdiag and no errors.
There are no errors smtp errors in the event log.

I will make sure that when I leave that the server and exchange are patched up. But since I will only be there for one day I prefer to
1. Reinstall the smtp and nntp service.
2. repair the exchange installation
3. patch the server and exchange

 

[Zelandakh]

Do 3 then 1 then 2. May only need to patch it to sort it.

 

[NATCAT]

Zelandakh,

This fix will involve a day trip to another island. The only indication of the problem is that they have email issues in the late afternoon if they don't reboot the server.

So I'd like to do all 3 in the morning then keep sending mail throughout the day. and make sure that they are sending and recieving mail happily without rebooting before I hop on a plane the next afternoon.

 

[Zelandakh]

Can you get someone to apply 2003 SP1 (not 2 as it is going to introduce other issues) before you turn up?

It often cures the problems.

If you have to go to a different island, do you need an assistant?

 

[NATCAT]

Zelandakh,
its a bit late to change plans now, plus I'd feel much better if I could be around when they apply the service pack.

I wouldn't mind an assistant actually. I tried running the exmerge on some mailboxes here but I kept getting an this error
Error 8007203a opening an LDAP connection.

even after I created a user and gave it full permissions including send and recieve on the mailbox store.

Hopefully I get that sorted out before tomorrow ;-)

 

[Zelandakh]

That could be a GC problem. Test the LDAP at the start of the exmerge program.

 

[NATCAT]

I don't see an option to test in the exmerge utility. Is this LDAP testing option someplace else ?

I've already checked the permissions using asiedit if thats what you mean by testing.

 

[Zelandakh]

Yeah, ok. The "Source Server" screen allows you to change the server to do the LDAP query. When you hit Next, it queries the LDAP to get the Store info.

 

[NATCAT]

Zelandakh (or anyone else)

After doing a reinstall and patch the server is acting in the same way as before.

The messages just pile up in the hotmail and yahoo queues and the quese are in a constant retry state.

Sending mail to gmail or some other interent mail or ISP is not a problem.
Additionally and more confusingly, if I reboot the machine the mail in those queues just leaves without a fuss and a bunch of mail is downloaded.
I ahve turned on smtp logging for exchange transport and nothing is being logged.

any troubleshooting ideas ?

 

[Zelandakh]

Check DNS settings. That's sometimes the issue.

 

[NATCAT]

Zelandakh,

the problem is DNS *insert scream of fustration here*.

1. There is not ptr record for the domain. Which I know means that some mail servers won't allow mail from my mail server because it could be spam.
2. Because there is no ptr record some mail won't be able to reach the mail server.

3.But after a reboot all of the mail from the yahoo queue leaves. The hotmail queue keeps getting bigger but some hotmail messages are also sent out.

If the hotmail and yahoo messages where permantely stuck in the queue I could understand that. But does anyone have an idea why the messages are sent SOME of the time to the mail servers?
Also, is there a way to log the smtp communications between 2 mail servers ?

 

[Zelandakh]

In IIS Manager, you can turn on logging of the SMTP bridge. I think (don't use logging on mine).

Just check ONE mail in queue. Get email address and telnet to hotmail on port 25 and see if the email address actually exists.