scheduled NT backup not backing up exchange 1

[chronos1]

I've got NT backup scheduled using a batch file - the entries are:

ntbackup backup C:\ /d "Daily Backup" /b /hcff /t normal /l "Backup.log" /e
ntbackup backup C:\exchsrvr\mdbdata\edb.log /a /d "Daily Backup" /hcff /t normal /l "Backup.log" /e
ntbackup backup D:\ /a /d "Daily Backup" /hcff /t normal /l "Backup.log" /e
ntbackup backup D:\exchsrvr\MDBDATA\Priv.edb /a /d "Daily Backup" /hcff /t normal /l "Backup.log" /e
ntbackup backup D:\exchsrvr\MDBDATA\Pub.edb /a /d "Daily Backup" /hcff /t normal /l "Backup.log" /e
ntbackup backup D:\exchsrvr\DSADATA\Dir.edb /a /d "Daily Backup" /hcff /t normal /l "Backup.log" /e


Everything else backs up - but none of the exchange files backup (the Pub and Priv edb files). Wwhen i look into the backup tape - the folders are there but no files.

I suspect i may have to stop and start the exchange services before backing up - but does anyone have a better idea, as stopping the services mean no emails.

thanks a lot.

 

[Serbtastic]

You exactly right, ntbackup cannot backup open files (like the Exchange dbs). You'll need to either stop the Exchange services so that the dbs are in a quiescent state, or use a product that can do a hot Exchange backup.

We use Legato NetWorker with the Exchange module here, and it works GREAT!

Check out

http://www.legato.com

for more info.

 

[cmeagan656]

We have a dedicated Exchange Server (only antivirus, spam filter, NTbackup and Exchange on the server) and use NTbackup without stopping the services. This is the command line we use. You must do a "normal" backup each night, not a differential.

ntbackup backup C: D: /DS \\exchsrv /IS /v /b /hcn /b /t Normal /l c:\ntbackup.log" /e

Cheers.

 

[chronos1]

thanks for that guys.

cmeagan656 the command line you're using - am i right in interpreting it as backing up everything on the C and D drives, as well as the Directory Store?

thanks again.

 

[cmeagan656]

Yes, it backs up everything on C:, D:, the Directory Store, and the Information Store. We've restored from the backup tapes before, so I know it works.

Cheers.

 

[chronos1]

Sorry cmeagan656 - when i try and run the batch file with only this command line in it, it's giving me a "command line contains invalid parameter" error.

Is there anything in the command line that's specific to your server? Is your exchange 5.5, on an NT4 box?

thanks

 

[chronos1]

no worries cmeagan656 - i was change the command line to

NTBACKUP backup \\SRV DS \\SRV IS /a /v /d"Exchange Server Backup" /b

found this on

http://www.emu.edu.tr/english/facil...ministrator's Survival Guide 2nd Ed/mba08.htm

and seems to work fine. Going to do a test backup later today and try and recover - looking good though!

thanks for your help again!

 

[cmeagan656]

Oops! Sorry chronos1. There was a typo in the command line when I edited our exchsrv name. :-(

For anyone else coming across this post the correct command line should be:

ntbackup backup C: D: DS \\exchsrv IS \\exchsrv /v /b /hcn /b /t Normal /l "c:\ntbackup.log" /e

Cheers.