Topics | How To - Exchange 5.5 | How To - Exchange Server
Determine Required Archive Files for Data Recovery
Recovery Scenarios for Exchange Mailbox/Database
Perform an Exchange Server Recovery
Recover Single or Multiple Exchange Mailboxes/Databases using Media Explorer
Copy Exchange Database Files to the Exchange Server
Use the following recovery procedures to recover all eligible Microsoft Exchange data except Microsoft Exchange 5.5 data. |
Required Capability: none
To determine which archive files are needed to complete a data recovery:
If the data being recovered is of File System type and only part of the data is required or the entire Database application was secured by a data protection operation of the default subclient, then the number of subclients required can be as few as one.
If the entire File System is required or the data being recovered is a database application, then most likely all subclients that contained any part of this application will be required.
This identification process is greatly facilitated if you had run Media Information and CommCell Configuration reports while the CommServe was still available, and have those reports available as reference materials. |
(At which option your stop is dependent upon your particular recovery scenario.)
Before You Begin
Regularly running the above reports prior to the need for a disaster recovery will facilitate your identification and location of media archive files. |
To Catalog the Media using Media Explorer:
It is possible to perform a recovery using only
the default archive database. However, if recovering large numbers of
or many types of archive files makes locating files cumbersome, you
can create additional database file paths using the New button. The New and Open buttons can be used to start cataloging to a new catalog or to open an existing catalog database. This is useful in situations where you would like to use Media Explorer over multiple sessions and not overwrite previous catalog operations. |
Use the Media Information and CommCell Configuration reports to assist you in determining from which media it will be necessary to restore. If you do not have any reports saved, you will have to manually determine the required media. This involves finding the correct (latest) archive file(s) for backups you want to restore.
A full DLT 7000 tape will take approximately two hours to catalog. Be certain you have enough disc space on your local computer to accommodate the files. |
The CV_MAGNETIC
folder structure represents the top level of the magnetic mount path. The V_nn folder represents a volume which is equivalent to a storage policy copy. The AF_nnn folders represent the individual archive files within a volume. Each backup creates one or more archive files, depending on the iDataAgent. |
An archive file will sometimes span across several tapes during the course of normal backups. In this case when a catalog operation is run on the first media, the information on the second media may not appear to have been cataloged. However, when you perform a recovery from the first tape, Media Explorer asks you to load the second tape manually to continue the recovery. |
In some cases, a data protection operation will start on one media and complete on another. This we refer to as a spanned job . At most there can be one spanned job per any given media.
If after cataloging a media you see an archive file for which the Catalog column does not display Found All and the Catalog State column displays Partial, this indicates the archive file is spanned to another media. In this case, you need to locate that other media and catalog it as well. Once the last media that contains the spanned archive has been reached, you will be prompted to reinsert all the media (starting with the first) necessary to finish the cataloging process for the spanned job.
Once all media has been successfully cataloged, the Catalog column should display Found All and the Catalog State column should display Complete, and the recovery may take place like any other recovery. During the recovery of this archive file, you will be prompted to insert the media as required to complete the recovery.
Media Explorer stores cataloged media information in its database on your local hard drive for future reference. Once your files have been cataloged, you can go back and obtain this information without running the catalog operation again. To have the information available on another computer, however, you would need to run a catalog on that computer. |
You can click View Chunks from the File menu to display the Chunk Details window. This window provides Media Explorer database details that may be helpful to you.
Sample scenarios for recovering the entire machine:
If a system state or File System recovery is necessary on the system where the Exchange Server resides, refer to Media Explorer for Windows File System - How To. Once the computer is operational, continue to Recover Single or Multiple Exchange Databases using Media Explorer. Basically, the machine may need a Full System rebuild, including the system state and File System prior to recovering the Exchange Server.
If the Active Directory is corrupted and resides on the Exchange Server refer to Media Explorer for Windows File System - How To. If the Exchange Server is the only object missing or corrupt in the Active Directory, follow the procedures: Perform an Exchange Server Recovery or Recover Single or Multiple Exchange Mailboxes/Databases using Media Explorer.
If the Active Directory is corrupted and does not reside on the Exchange Server refer to Media Explorer for Windows File System - How To to rebuild the machine that Active Directory resides on. If the Exchange Server is the only object missing or corrupt in the Active Directory, you can recover the Exchange Server objects using a non-authoritative system state restore.
If the Exchange Server requires an SRS database recovery, it is necessary to have the SRS service functioning before recovering the database. SRS is secured during a data protection operation as part of the system state. Refer to Media Explorer for Windows File System - How To.
If the Exchange Server requires a KMS database recovery refer to Media Explorer for Windows File System - How To to recover the File System and system state. If the Exchange Server was the certificate authority, this will be included with the Key Management System by recovering the system state. If the KMS application data is missing or corrupt, this will be included by recovering the File System data. The default location of the program data is \Program Files\Exchsrvr\KMSDATA.
If the Exchange Server resides on a Cluster Server, and if the Cluster Server is corrupt, Refer to Media Explorer for Windows File System - How To.
If the Exchange Server resides on a Cluster Server, and if the Cluster Server is operational and only the Exchange Server needs recovery, follow the procedures: Perform an Exchange Server Recovery or Recover Single or Multiple Exchange Mailboxes/Databases using Media Explorer.
To perform Exchange Server Recovery
If the Exchange Server objects are not present in Active Directory, refer to Restore a Full System In Place. You can choose to reinstall Exchange Server but you must use the identical information structure and hierarchy as the original Exchange Server.
In either instance, you must install Exchange Server to the same location it was originally installed. If setup in disaster recovery mode is used, do not restart the machine upon completion of setup in disaster recovery mode.
This procedure describes how to restore the Exchange Server mailboxes/database(s). Do not perform this procedure unless you intend to overwrite your existing Exchange Server mailbox/database with the version from the media. |
To recover single or multiple Exchange mailbox/database archive files
Media Explorer stores cataloged media information in its database for future reference. Once your files have been cataloged, you can go back and obtain this information without running the catalog operation again. |
An archive file will sometimes span several tapes during the course of normal data protection operations. In this case when a catalog operation is run on the first media, the information on the second media may not appear to have been cataloged. However, when you perform a recovery from the first tape, Media Explorer asks you to load the second tape manually to continue the recovery. |
Full System Restore Scenario
The requirement in this scenario, for each client in turn, is to select the latest Full archive file entry and subsequent non-Full entries for each subclient (App ID) within the client which together constitute a snapshot of the last pre-catastrophe data secured via data protection operations.
Database Recovery Scenario
The requirement in this scenario, is to select each archive file from the selected backup cycle, associated with the database object that you want to recover.
In the Catalog Database pane: Use Archive File Name to determine the entry type Use the Level information to determine backup types. Use the Job ID and Backup Time information to determine chronology. Scroll right to use the App ID column to determine subclient identity. |
While the data recovery is in progress, if the data crosses to a new tape, you may see the message Insert volume with BarCode number and then click OK to continue.
The data recovery operation may fail due to exchange specific events (e.g., store not dismounted). For more information on recovery operation failures view the Ex2kDb.log file located in the DrRestoreGUI directory. |
A file space shortage will cause the data recovery operation to fail. For information on the failure, you can go to the DrRecovery log file which is located in the same place as the DrRestoreGUI.exe. After fixing your space problem, you can simply start over. You do not have to clear the environment. |
Use this procedure only if you used Media Explorer to restore your Exchange Database files to a machine other than the one containing the Exchange Server and if the targeted Exchange Server is available. This procedure does not apply to Exchange Mailbox-based agents, which only support in place restore using Media Explorer. |
To copy Exchange Database files to the Exchange Server
Your database files should now be successfully copied to the Exchange Server.