Exchange 5.5 Disaster Recovery Help 2

[ITSurvivor]

Hello, anyone actually built a spare Exchange server running Win2K/SP4 and installed Exchange 5.5/SP4. Could you point me to a link or could you please list how you accomplished that.
I have a test machine built, in a test environment, with Win2K/SP4, Exchange 5.5/SP4. What do I need to do to restore a backup that I made using NTBackup onto the test machine. I have done searches but they helped a little. What do I need to do to get the test server to function like the production Exchange server. We will be moving to Exchange 2K3 soon, but I just want to be prepared if something happens before then.

Any help or point to links would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[StellaIndigo]

to be honest i wouldn't use ntbackup. in fact i'm not sure your exhange data is being backed up correctly if that's all you're using.

use something like backup exec with the exchange add-in. this simplies the whole procedure. If you also get the disaster recovery add-in it can create a bootable cd for the server that you can re-install the whole system from... with your last backup tape as well.



Regards
Stella

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those that understand binary and those that don't.

 

[zbnet]

faq10-6004

 

[N0ktar]

Why? I've recovered exchange stores many times from NTBackup. It works just fine.

 

[zbnet]

Yeah, exactly. I don't understand Stella's advice either - it's not right.

 

[ITSurvivor]

Hi NOktar,
What are your steps in recovering the exchange stores using NTBackup. We use ArcServe with tape to backup the Exchange server but I also use the NTBackup and back it up to disk. Could up please let me know how you did your recovery. I would like to recover using the backup to disk because the tape restore would take too long.

Thanks you all that responded.

Thanks

 

[N0ktar]

The restore is normally straight forward, you install fresh E5.5 with SPs, stop all services but the attendant, run ntbackup, select restore tab, click tools, catalog back file, select file from the disk, select your destination exchanges server, check options to erase existing data for dir and IS and start the restore. Once complete the services should start automatically and the log files should play into the new restore.
It is important the service packs and software versions mach on your new server.

 

[ITSurvivor]

Thank you very much NOktar. I will try that and post back.

Thank you.

 

[ITSurvivor]

Hello NOktar,

I tried to restore but nothing was restored. I am wondering if it is the computer name, which is different from the production Exchange server name. Do the computer names have to match for the restore to work?
Also, do I restore the System State onto the Test server?
Thank you for you help.

 

[N0ktar]

How big is your backup file? Is it the right size or is it too small? Yes, if you restore successfully the computer names have to match.

 

[ITSurvivor]

Hi NOktar,

The back file is only 12GB. I did change the computer name and was able to restore. However, it only started the MS Directory and System Attendant services. The other services I was not able to start. So, I did a Restore on the System State, thinking that that might fix the problem, but when the computer restarted it hung. So now I am in the process of reinstalling the OS.
NOktar, do I need to Restore the System State and did you run into the problem with those services not able to start?

Thanks you very much for your time.

 

[N0ktar]

I would install a domin controller, unplug it from the network, rename, install exchange and restore Directory and IS only. This way all user acocunts are present and accounted for.

 

[ITSurvivor]

NOktar,

Sorry for been dumb on this. We are still using NT domain. But from your post it seems like I will need to have a complete users database in order to Restore the Exchange backup? All I was doing was using a separate network, 192.168.5.0 and installing Win2K server and then installing Exchange 5.5. Then installing SP4 on the OS and Exchange. Then I would run the Restore. Is this the wrong way of doing it.

Sorry if I still don't understand.

Thank you.

 

[N0ktar]

If you have no user accounts, your original SAM database, you'll have problems starting the services and accessing IS.
Install BDC, take it offline, promote it, rename it to the same name as Exchange, install Exchange and updates, restore your backup.

 

[zbnet]

The computer name you are restoring to DOESN'T need to be the same as the production machine, but the Organization and Site DO. And do do need a production BDC for the SAM database, so that the service account can be authenticated.

ITSurvivor, all this is covered in the DR documentation that I posted a link to as the 3rd post in this thread. You'd have saved a lot of time and effort if you'd just read it.

 

[ITSurvivor]

Thanks zbnet. When I did skim through it, it didn't really say anything that I was trying to do. However, I will read it this time.

I want to thank you and NOktar for taking the time to help me.

Thank you.