Now that Exchange 2007 SP2 has been released, it gives the ability to backup Exchange 2007 SP2 using Windows Server Backup (WSB).
Let me mention a few points before you jump into the conclusion of using it for backing up exchange.
- Windows Server Backup is not installed by default on 2008 servers.
- It can be installed by using Server Manager -> Add Features -> Windows Server Backup.
- WSB can only backup at a volume (drive) level.
- Backups can be stored to a local drive or a network drive (Local drive shouldn’t be the drive that you have selected to backup or a system drive).
- Only disk backup is available, no option for tape.
- Only copy or full backup of exchange can be done. Copy backup doesn’t flush the logs whereas a full one does.
- Cannot do incremental backups of exchange.
- If you run a “Backup Once” job, you can select just the drives that have exchange databases & logs.
- If you want to run a scheduled job, system drive is included by default and can’t be taken off.
- Database will be checked for consistency, backed up & logs flushed.
- You can only backup active exchange servers, so passive node of ccr cluster cannot be backed up.
- During exchange restore, new log files will be replayed & database will be brought to the latest state.
- You can deselect replay of logs during restore, if you want.
In short, it can backup & restore. It is nothing like the old NTBackup!
8 comments:
Sounds like it is unneccessary complicated and not useful in real world,
So does that means that you cannot select individual databases or storage group for backup? I don't get why do scheduled job have to include system drive in a backup.
Thanks for sharing..
I agree Deepak. The new backup which exchange 2007 sp2 brings is useless. I don't know why it was highlighted as a big thing in the sp2 release.
Ya.. pretty uncool to remove functionality from a system rather than enhance it only to hail a tool that is half assed like this. Very displeased... Let's get a tool that works as good as or better than the 2003 NTBACKUP please...
Hi Fliboi,
It looks like Microsoft is pushing for full backup softwares like their own DPM 2007 ;)
On the topic of Microsoft half-assing built-in functionality, this reminds me, I was at a Microsoft seminar years ago and a high level systems engineer remarked to us about the philosophy at Microsoft and why complementary third party software always tends to be better than built-in functionality - even with things like A.D. management tools. He said "Microsoft is a solution provider. But not always the BEST solution provider"
I agree Anonymous. MS is not all that perfect.
What a load of complete shit.
Things are better in 2008 R2. Check http://www.howexchangeworks.com/2010/07/backing-up-exchange-2010-using-windows.html
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