File level backup of Exchange servers

[Amaan]

Question:

Is it possible to backup Exchange server as a file system backup?

Will this get successful?

Does it have any impact for the exchange databases?

Thanks!

[Nicolai]

If you stop exchange the backup will be successful and the exchange database will be consistent. However exchange will not recognize it as a valid backup so you need to truncate logs by other means.

You may also be able to use NTbackup to backup Exchange to a file system and then let Netbackup backup those files. Exchange will truncate logs..

See: Using Backup to Back Up and Restore Exchange Data

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998870(v=exchg.80).aspx

[Amaan]

Hi Nicolai,

We will not be able to do that with NTBackup as it is no longer doing exchange backup for win 2008 and also we have exchange 2010.

They dont want to stop the exchange. if they will not stop it can we get them backed up? will it impact the exchange databases?

[Mark_Solutions]

You need to use the Exchange agent to back up Exchange itself

To backup the file system of the server itself just use the ALL_LOCAL_DRIVES directive (unless it is a cluster) and then just ensure you set exclusions for the Storage Group Database and Logs directories so that the file system backup does not try to back up the exchange databases

[Amaan]

According to what you are saying it should not try to backup exchange databases, am i right? what will be if they will try?

[Mark_Solutions · Accepted solution]

If VSS manages to get a snapshot of them it will back them up - but they would not be in a consistent state and would be of no use to you so simply a waste of time and backup media

Otherwise it will not get a lock on them and simply slow the backup down whilst it tries - or even make it fail due to a snapshot error

Better to exclude them all

It wold not hurt Exchange if that is what you are wondering

[Marianne]

So, in summary - you have 2 choices:

1. Use NBU agent to backup Exchange online
2. Stop Exchange Services and do file level backup

[Nicolai]

Amaan: If you need some ammo for getting funds buying the Netbackup Exchange agent:

• What is value of the company's mails compared to the Netbackup Exchange agent license.
• If you don't wan't to backup consider a DAG 
• Does a down mail system means lost business ?