Exchange Backup

[2509]

Hi
We have one pdc with a bdc and exchange is loaded at bdc.
What we r doing presently is taking offline backup of exchange(stopping the services then taking the hole directories.e.g d:\exchserv\mdbdata)with ntbackup.
Is this backup is worth or should i opt for online backups ?
Pls advice.

thanks

 

[Lightspeed1]

2509,
If you are running an NT based system (either NT4 or W2K) the NTBackup applet gets changed when you install Exchange. It is capable of making online backups of your Exch database. Doing the offline backup as you are now I believe does work, however, I have had to recover Exchange crashes before and I would highly recommend Backup Exec 8.6 with the Agent for Exchange. Makes life a lot easier in the event of a problem.
Regards,
Lightspeed1

 

[SteveTheGeek]

That kind of backup should be fully restoreable (sp?) but I would seek Exchange-aware backup software because stopping and starting the services daily is asking for trouble, IMHO. Windows 2000's NTBackup is Exchange-aware (permitting online backups) if you're figuring on upgrading soon, and I've had good experience with Veritas' BackupExec with Exchange Agent.
-Steve

 

[2509]

we r taking offline backup of our exchange server5.5 with NT Backup.copying the hole directories to the Tape.
we have one PDC and a BDC and exchange is on BDC.
could any one tell me the procedure for restoring offline backup.

Thanks in advance

 

[SteveTheGeek]

To restore from offline backup, just stop the Exchange services, and copy the Exchange folders back over to the drive from the tape. I'd recommend renaming the folders on your drive beforehand (like adding "old" after their names) as you don't want to get stuck without any of the existing files during the restore.
-Steve

 

[RamasamyRathnam]

Hi,

This bulletin might be of use

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q296787

Where is your tape drive? on the PDC or BDC?

I am using the NTBAckup in NT 4.0/Exchange 5.5
but it is very simple and rudimentary. (can't
even schedule)
As others have said, an exchange aware backup
utility will be a good investment.

Regards

Ram

 

[2509]

hi steeve,

thanks for the reply. But i dont think this the way u can
restore your exchange from offline backup.
what about the log files?

hi rama

my tape is on BDC.
well you can schedule your backup through scheduler in winnt.
If u r taking offline then you have to use the combination of AT command and NTbackup.

use NET STOP for stopping the services and schedule the ntbackup.And then use the NET start to auto start the services.

you can also do the online backup through scheduling.
bye