The easiest way to backup a small Exchange Server is with the cooperation of the Microsoft Windows Backup Utility. The Windows Backup Utility includes the API support required to backup an Exchange Server without shutting it down. The Windows Backup Utility is included in Windows Server 2003.
Using the Windows Backup Utility, perform a daily scheduled backup of the Exchange Information Store, writing the backup data to a file instead of to tape. The Backup Client should then be set to backup the folder containing the backup file. Each time the backup occurs, the file will be overwritten. The Backup Client will compare that file to the previous version stored at our secure data center, extract the changes, and transfer only the changes since the last backup.
The following describes how to backup an Exchange Server once per day.
Create the following directory structure:
{drive_letter}:\ExchangeBackup
Where {drive_letter} is the disk where you would like the backup files to reside. Make sure the disk has enough space available for the backup files.
Start the Windows Backup Utility,
Click: Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools, and choose Backup.
- Select the Backup tab.
- In the folder list, click the [+] to expand Microsoft Exchange Server, then click the [+] to expand your Server Name.
- Click on the check box to select Microsoft Information Store.
- Set Backup Destination to File.
Set the Backup File Name to be the name and location of the file where the backup should be stored.
E.g. {drive_letter}:\ExchangeBackup\Excange.bkf
Where {drive_letter}is the disk where you would like the backup files to reside.
Save the backup job. Click Job on the menu, then Save Selections, then give it a name.
E.g. {drive_letter}:\ExchangeBackup\Excange.bkf
Where {drive_letter} is the disk where you would like the backup files to reside.
- To test the backup to see if it works click Start Backup.
- Select the option to Replace the data on the media.
- Then click Start Backup.
- Once the backup completes, click Report to review the log. It should look similar to the following:
Backup Status
Operation: Backup
Active backup destination: File
Media name: "Exchange.bkf created 11/29/2004 at 1:57 PM"
Backup of "MYSERVER\Microsoft Information Store\First Storage Group"
Backup set #1 on media #1
Backup description: "Set created 11/29/2004 at 1:57 PM"
Media name: "Exchange.bkf created 11/29/2004 at 1:57 PM"
Backup Type: Normal
Backup started on 11/29/2004 at 1:57 PM.
Backup completed on 11/29/2004 at 1:58 PM.
Directories: 4
Files: 5
Bytes: 28,353,326
Time: 31 seconds
- If no errors are reported, click Close.
The next step is to Schedule the backup. Go back to the Backup tab.
Select Job > Load Selections, then select the file you saved earlier:
E.g. {drive_letter}:\ExchangeBackup\Excange.bks
Where {drive_letter} is the disk where you would like the backup files to reside.
- Click Start Backup.
- Select the option to Replace the data on the media.
- Click Schedule.
- Supply the Administrative username and password when prompted.
- Supply a Job Name, e.g. Daily Exchange
- Click Properties, then choose Schedule Task: Daily, Start Time: 2:00 AM, Every: 1 day. Click OK.
- Now, switch to the Scheduled Jobs tab and you should see a new backup job listed for each day in the future.
- Now add the new folder to the selections.
- Right click on the Backup icon located in the toolbar which is usually at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Options.
- Click the Folders tab.
Choose the {drive_letter}:\ExchangeBackup folder.
Where {drive_letter} is the disk where you would like the backup files to reside.
- Click OK.