Backing up Enterprise Vault - this ok?

[lukeb123]

Hi guys,

I have a client using Enterprise Vault that I had upgraded to v9 not so long ago from v7 (jumped to 8, then to 9).  It has made me wonder about their backup..

It was configured long before I started at my current company and having checked Backup Exec, it would appear the the primary Server that Enterprise Vault was installed on, has an SQL backup agent, and so their main SBS Server (running Backup Exec) simply backs up SQLs Enterprise Vault instances.

Now recently, they have had a Windows Storage Server installed for additional space as their primary vault was growing rapidly.  They now have a second store on this Server, however, for the backup it is simply backing up the file share.  I realise that the SQL instance only runs on their primary vault Server, but should this be sufficient, should a restore be needed and/or Server failure?

I have tried to explain in detail above, but I appreciate from past experience when helping out on forums that screenshots can help greatly, so here are shots of each Server and what is being backed up...

http://img98.imageshack.us/i/vaultbackup1.jpg/

http://img600.imageshack.us/i/vaultbackup2.jpg/

Thanks

[JesusWept3 · Accepted solution]

Well the question is, did they create a whole new vault store and a new partition to go to the new drive, or did they create a new partition in the existing EVMailbox vault store and point that to a new drive?

If you created a new partition in the existing vault store then the SQL backups you have selected are absolutely fine and the only additional thing that would need to be backed up is that Vault Store Partition at a file level.

[lukeb123]

The second option sounds about right.  I remember the guy speaking to Symantec and overhearing something like "I can't get the store to see the other partition through a mapped drive, and had to use a UNC path".  In that case, it would seem like everything is covered..?

[TonySterling]

What version of BE are you using?

I don't see your vault store or fingerprint databases being backed up.  Are those covered by a different policy?

Also, have you seen this:

Article URL http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC2644

[lukeb123]

Also, I have here a document called best_practise_for_ev_backups.pdf and can see that an Enterprise Vault backup agent add-in for Backup Exec is the preferred ane easiest method to ensure that you have everything covered.  It doesn't look like the client has this installed and is simply backing up using and SQL agent and then simply backing up the file shares from their secondary Server that host an additional store.

Edit: I have checked installed agents within Backup Exec and can confirm that the EV agent is NOT installed.  Is the backup still valid by backing up directories and SQL manually as per their current routine, or would it simply be a good idea to purchase the agent and have this automated?

p.s. thanks for taking your time to help me out on this one, much appreciated.

[lukeb123]

I'm using v12.5 Backup Exec.

I must be honest and say i'm not quite sure what you mean about the fingerprint database. Where would this be located? Can I check the path within the Enterprise Vault manager?

The vault store (I believe) is on the second screenshot. It contains Mailbox Prn1 which has a lot of subfolders.