Exporting a large number of archives to PST

[bteichner]

We have a few hundred archives that we will need to export to PST. What is the best option to export these? I saw another post about using the export wizard, and running multiple jobs in parralel. Is the export wizard the only approach for this? We are currently running EV9.

Thanks

[JesusWept3 · Accepted solution]

The methods that EV Provide , it is unfortunately the only way you can do it, through PST Export wizard
you can go for paid options like TransVault, Akaibu, and I think Archive Shuttle can export to PST though i'm not entirely sure, Rob Wilcox can speak to Quadrotechs functionality in that regard

But they are all paid for solutions which means you have to license through them where as the PST Export is included with Enterprise Vault

The only other option would be to build your own through EV's API's and something like Redemption to perform the export, but thats overkill

[AndrewB]

you have other options. for example, we offer a full service using migration tools to do this. the entire process is automated with full tracking and reporting capabilities which is something that's very hard to achieve when you use a manual process.

just out of curiosity, what are you going to do with the PST data?

[GabeV]

From the Enterprise Vault Admin Console, the Export to PST wizard would be your best option:

About the Export Archive wizard
http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO56821

How to export archived items
http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO57777

Also, you might want to take a look at the Enterprise Vault extensions from Symantec partners:

http://www.symantec.com/theme.jsp?themeid=enterprise-vault-extensions

[AndrewB]

what makes using the wizard the "best" option in your opinion?

[GabeV]

the Export to PST wizard is already integrated on the Enterprise Vault console and it has several options to export the archives to PST (split PST files, export items based on retention categories, etc). However, like JesusWept3 said, you can always go for other options.

[bteichner]

Are the migration tools available as part of Enterprise Vault? This is an e-mail migration project. These mailboxes will be moving to a different Exchange environment without Enterprise Vault.

[JesusWept3]

Why not just directly export back to the mailbox?
or is the idea to keep the mailboxes small and give the users the PST files?

[AndrewB]

the migration tools are 3rd party, offered by authorized symantec consultants and certified migration specialists. they can actually streamline your entire migration process and get you directly to the new Exchange environment without having to go to PST files.

[Rob_Wilcox1]

With the given information at the start of this post..

I'd say go for Export Archive from the VAC.  It's a few hundred archives..  simple.

If you want 'more' or have a different end-goal, then contact one of the many partners mentioned.

[bteichner]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think we will probably end up going with what is already built in to EV with the export archive wizard. If we start to run this large number of exports, does this have any effect on the SQL databases/server? Will we see the transaction logs grow?

[JesusWept3]

You will see the transaction logs grow, but you would in regular day to day operation
Most of the information would be pure SELECT statements to determine the items needing to be exported, where the SISParts reside, it will write some entries to the AdminJobEntry table and update it with checkpoints and such

If you are worried about Transaction log space, then you could change the logging to simple logging, unless you do something like log shipping etc

[bteichner]

As long as it's not significantly different than what we already see with day to day transaction log growth, I think we should be fine with our current setup.