Backup and Recovery Methods for MS Exchange Server Backup Data

This blog post will explain the methods for backing up data of MS Exchange Servers and how to fix the corruption issues in this backup file. Regular backup of Exchange database files is an essential task for the Server administrators because it is one of the best practices which can prevent them from encountering any data losses at the time of server failure. This is a best method to prevent loss of confidential as well as essential data.

Methods for Backup:

Microsoft has provided following two methods for backing up the data of MS Exchange Server:

1) Online Backup

2) Offline Backup

In online backup method, backups are made while Exchange server databases and services are running. This method does not allow to backup single or selected mailboxes. This method can be performed through following procedures:

i) Normal backup

ii) Copy backup

iii) Incremental backup

iv) Differential backup

Offline backup method is also called cold backup method. In this method, backup is made when services are completely stopped. This is the safe and sound process of backing up server files when your data is offline and it is not accessible to any user. It includes following steps:

a) Require shutdown of Information Store

To stop the information store, use the following procedure:

i) Right click on My Computer

ii ) Click on Manage

iii) Go to Services and Applications

iv) Select Exchange Services

v) Right click on Information Store

vi) Select “Stop”

b) Location of Transaction Log and Databases Files:

Generally, all transactions and databases files are resided at their default location where window server is installed (default location: C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\MDBDATA). It is highly advised to keep transaction log files and database files on some other drive like D:\ Or E:\

c) Copy Database Files to another Location:

The third step is simply to copy important files ( like Exchange database (.edb) file, Streaming media (.stm) file and Transaction Log (.log) file) to a separate and secure place.

Generally backup process is run by inbuilt backup utilities known as NTBackup and Window Server Backup which store all data in .bkf file format. NTBackup utility takes backup of complete Storage Group which includes .edb. .stm, and .log files. This backup utility supports upto Exchange 2003 versions only.

Window Server Backup method is used to create backup of MS Exchange 2007 and later versions. It enables the users to take backup either complete Windows data or Exchange Server files.

Sometimes, at the time of restoration, this backup file shows abrupt behaviour due to some corruption. There could be many possible reasons for the corruption. Some of them are as follows:-

# Drive aborts when NTBackup utility fails to complete the backup process

# Backup interference

# Backup software breakdown

# Virus intrusion

# CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) faults

Unfortunately, Microsoft has not developed any utility to fix the corruption in Exchange backup file. So, in this case, a commercial tool such as Stellar Phoenix Exchange BKF Recovery can help you in repairing and restoring the corrupt .bkf file. This BKF recovery software can be easily run for MS Exchange Server 2003 and 2007 Servers.