Re: Exchange 2003 Test Recovery

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Mark Arnold [MVP] (mark_at_mvps.org)
Date: 07/30/04 

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2004 10:05:07 +0100

"Jaye" <unknown@unknown.com> wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I would like to be able to do a test recovery of our Exchange 2003 server.
>>From what I am reading, I would need to do this in a separate network
>because I will have to use the same names for the server and the databases
>on the test recovery server. The problem I have is that my tape drive and
>backup server cannot be moved over to the test network for this test. Is
>there a way to get around this or do I have to have a tape device and backup
>software on the test network separate from our production network to perform
>this recovery?
>
>Are there any good backup and recovery documents out there on this?
>
>Thank you,
>
>~Jaye
>
Yes.
On your DR Exchange server install it with a basic copy of Windows at
the same service pack level as the live one and in the same directory.
Call it anything you want and put it on the mail LAN with a DHCP
address. Do a one off backup but rather than to tape, backup to a file
on the local machine. Then copy that file to the DR Exchange box..
Take that DR box off the production network and proceed to the DR
test.

So you can validate the status of your tapes you can use the Recovery
Storage Group and restore the stores to the RSG on the production
system.

It's becoming more and more common for people to backup to file and
then back the file up to tape. Doing a restore on a system that hasn't
melted or been stolen is a lot quicker since the tapes don't have to
come back from the data wharehouse.

Mark Arnold MCSA MCSE+M MVP,
FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exchange.htm
Blog: http://www.msexchange.me.uk

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