4. You can monitor the backup job progress and log entries via the Job Management, Status, and Logs windows. For details on accessing these windows and their use, refer to the NetVault: Backup Administrator’s Guide.
Important: Restarting services that host Exchange VSS Writers, including the Microsoft Exchange Information Store, Microsoft Exchange Replication Service, complete OS reboots, and cluster failovers will cause running backup jobs to fail due to a loss of in-memory 'backup-in-progress' state that Microsoft maintains for VSS backups.
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R ESTORE
Restoring Data with the Exchange Server APM
Understanding Exchange Server Restore Process
Restore Methods Available
Phases of a Restore
Restoring Backups in Exchange Server
Preparing Exchange Server for Recovery
Selecting Data for Restore
Setting Restore Options
Finalizing and Submitting Restore Job
Performing Post Restore Steps for CCR Environments
Performing Post Restore Steps and SCR Environments
Example Restore Sequences
Advanced Restore Procedures
Renaming Storage Groups
Moving Databases to Alternate Storage Group
Restoring Data to Recovery Storage Group
Disaster Recovery of Exchange Server
Recovering to Alternate Exchange Server
7.1.0 Restoring Data with the Exchange Server APM
This chapter offers basic instructions on the use of the Exchange Server APM to restore and recover Exchange Server databases. The information in this chapter is organized into the following sections:
Understanding Exchange Server Restore Process
Restoring Backups in Exchange Server
Other Restore Procedures
7.2.0 Understanding Exchange Server Restore Process
When preparing to restore an existing backup, several key concepts are useful to understand. This section will explore these concepts in the following sections:
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Restore Methods Available
Phases of a Restore
7.2.1 Restore Methods Available
The Restore Method is the technology that is selected to perform the restore. The Exchange Server APM supports two different Restore Methods, each with its own specific purpose.
7.2.1.a Extensible Storage Engine Restore Method
The Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) is the native technology used to perform restore and recovery operations for the Microsoft Exchange Server. ESE is provided from Microsoft as a standard Exchange Server component.
When using the ESE Restore Method, all databases being restored must first be dismounted using a Microsoft-approved approach or by selecting the Dismount Databases Before Restore option in the Restore and Recovery Options tab of the Restore Options frame. Failing to dismount the database prior to performing the restore will result in either a Restore Failure or a Restore Completed with Warnings job status.
7.2.1.b Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
During a VSS based restore, the Exchange Server APM instructs the Exchange Store Writer to coordinate with the Exchange Information Store (on behalf of the Exchange Server APM) to prepare the system for the restore, verify the restore targets, put the data back from the backup device and then replay the transaction logs as needed.
7.2.1.c Copy Files Restore Method
Exchange Server APM provides the ability to restore the raw files from storage to a specific target directory. This provides greater freedom in restoring database files, particularly when restoring file for non-traditional purposes, such as data mining or compliance auditing.
The Copy Files Restore Method does not require databases to be dismounted from the Exchange Server. Database Recovery, however, is not supported when using this restore method.
Note: The Copy File Restore Method is required when creating a Ontrack PowerControls Staging Area or Target Directory in order to perform individual mailbox and mailbox item recovery. For more information refer to the NetVault:
Backup APM for Exchange Server PowerControls Implementation Guide.
Each Exchange Server restore scenario has two distinct phases: the Restore Phase and the Recovery Phase.
7.2.2.a Restore Phase
The Restore Phase is used to transfer all the files included in a backup from storage to the local disk. This can be done using either of the Restore Methods defined in Restore Methods Available on page 50.
When performing restore sequences that include Incremental or Differential Backups, the Restore Phase will be performed for each backup that is restored.
Ensure that adequate disk space is available on the volume(s) where the databases are stored during a restore. If disk space is exhausted during the Restore Phase, the restore job will fail.
7.2.2.b Recovery Phase
In the Recovery Phase, changes that were logged in the transaction log files are reapplied to the corresponding databases to bring the Exchange Server forward in time. This phase is only available when using the ESE or VSS Restore Method.
When restoring sequences of backups – as in the case of Incremental or
Differential Backups – the Recovery Phase will be performed one time as the final step in the restore sequence. Recovery is only performed once, regardless of the number of backups included in the restore sequence.
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7.3.0 Restoring Backups in Exchange Server
A standard restore with the Exchange Server APM in Exchange Server can be divided into five phases:
Phase 1: Preparing the Exchange Server for Recovery
Phase 2: Selecting Data for a Restore
Phase 3: Setting Restore Options
Phase 4: Finalizing and Submitting the Job
Phase 5: Performing Post-Restore Steps
This section outlines the various steps to be performed in these five phases to complete data restoration successfully.
7.3.1 Preparing Exchange Server for Recovery
7.3.1.a Setting Overwrite PermissionsBefore submitting a restore, each Mailbox Database must have an option set allowing for its data to be overwritten during a restore. Setting Overwrite Permissions can be performed automatically with the Exchange Server APM's Set 'This Database Can Be Overwritten by a Restore' for Databases Restore option or it can be set manually by performing the steps below:
Important: The option This Database can be Overwritten by a Restore
automatically reverts to deselected as a restore job completes (thereby protecting the database). If it is necessary in the future to perform further restores for an Information Store or Mailbox Database, this property must be set every time a restore is performed.
Setting Overwrite Permissions in Exchange 2000/2003
Figure 7-1:
1. Launch the Exchange System