Re: Backing up Exchange 2003 and Backup Execckup 9.1

From: Javier (Javier_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 02/02/05 

Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2005 11:43:07 -0800

"JeffG" wrote:

>
> On Wed, 2 Feb 2005 09:59:13 -0800, Javier
> <Javier@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >I'm a little new to the Exchange 2003 environement, so bear with me,
> >
> >I use Veritas Backup Exec 9.1. I have read the tech docs from Microsoft and
> >Veritas on best practices for backing up E2K3, but I just want to make sure I
> >have it all setup right.
> >
> >I do a full mailbox and public folder backup every Friday and Mon-Thurs
> >nights. Brick Level. (Overkill maybe?)
>
> Not overkill if you ask me, but there are others in the group that
> will disagree. I've noticed some of the group members aren't
> concerned at all with Brick level - but it's saved my behind several
> times, and definitely will keep you from needing to restore the entire
> server for one bad move on an end-users part (although I wouldn't do
> it for just anyone, there are members of a corporation you don't say
> NO to if possible)...
>
> However, I will point out that the full store backup is more important
> than the brick level, but if you have the space, both are better...
>
> >
> >I do a full Exchange server backup every Saturday, meaning the whole server,
> >(Flat backup, online). By default, the Veritas software chooses the whole
> >server, minus shares, and under Shadow Copy Components the User Data\Exchange
> >Server box. In speaking with a Vertias Tech, they said that you only back
> >that up once a month. Correct? I then run an incremental on the same options
> >Mon-Thurs. I manually take out the Mailbox and Public folder options since I
> >run them at a later time.
>
> I'm not so sure about that one as I run mine every day and not
> incrementally. It most likely comes down to how much space you have
> for this particular job and if you can, it's always best to do
> complete vs incremental, just for ease in recovery.
>
> I would compare the two (full vs incremental) jobs and see what the
> total backup size for each is and determine from there if you need
> incremental or can manage complete. Again, all of it comes down to
> ease of restoration vs resources available.
>
> >
> >All is this is done online, meaning the Exchage services are running. I have
> >yet to see anywhere, unless I missed it, in the Veritas docs about offline
> >jobs. Is this the same as stopping the Exchange services and doing a full
> >server backup? I would like to try a test restore for one, and I want to make
> >sure I am backing up everything that needs to be done in case of a disaster.
> >Thanks in advance!
>
> Backup Exec 9.1 is "Exchange Aware" for EX2003 - and as far as I've
> heard/seen/read, there is no need to stop the services for an Exchange
> Aware backup solution. Again, there may be someone that disagrees
> with that statement too.
>
> As far as the rest, the only way to know for sure is to read the best
> practices from Microsoft, and then test it yourself. No matter what
> the Veritas tech support people tell you, it's not their *** in a
> sling if you missed something...
>
> I've got a question for you if you have time - have you been able to
> get the single-instance storage backup option to work? I've got the
> same setup (servers and software) but my backups error out unless I
> un-select the single-instance storage option (in other words, I back
> up way more than I need to). Veritas support told me that it should
> work, but never could figure out why it wasn't...
>
> Always more words than help =]
> JeffG
>
>
Thanks for the response Jeff. =)

I know that you don't HAVE to do a Brick level backup, but I'm thinking
along the same lines as you. I don't want to have to restore a whole server
for one mailbox or e-mail. My mailboxes and public folder only add-up a
little less than 18 GB, and it's only 20 mailboxes, so it's not that bad. I
have been finding it's been taking longer to back them up since I started
using the Message Delivery filtering options, and I wonder why.

I have the single instance option on, and I get no errors. Then again, I'm
doing a full on the mailboxes every night, not incremental. Maybe that's why
it works for me? What is the exact error you're getting? I find Veritas
support to be useless sometimes. I was having throuput problems, and it was
clearly the Agent, but they kept blaming my setup.

Anyone one else have any suggestions?