Exchange 2003 Backup

[faza]

I have a Exchange Server 2003 and what i would like to do is build a new server with Exchange 2003 on and use it as a backup server. What is the best way of doing it?

For instance if i like turn one server off the other one could still run the exchange and contain the database and all the necessary items.

[DMcCoy]

It's not going to do that unless you cluster it with some shared storage as all the mailboxes will go offline too.

[faza]

How would you do it?

[DMcCoy]

I wouldn't, I just make sure all the backup and recovery procedures are in place.

[Dos_Box]

Indeed, good backup software will restore a borked Exchange in very little time at all. I needed it after SP2 for server 2003 kept suffing the server

[faza]

You mean just back up the databases? And dont install Exchane 2003 on the 2nd server.

[zag]

Yes thats the best way of doing things. Backupexec has a 1 click restore for the exchange store.

Exchange 2007 SP1 does have a "parallel" feature that you describe, but I have not seen anyone actually using it yet.

A good backup to hard disk of the store is all that is really needed, Exchange doesn't take long to setup again if the server fails.

[sukh]

I have a Exchange Server 2003 and what i would like to do is build a new server with Exchange 2003 on and use it as a backup server. What is the best way of doing it?

For instance if i like turn one server off the other one could still run the exchange and contain the database and all the necessary items.

1. You should ideally look to move from 2003 to 2010 and use the DAG feature, minimal downtime and only takes a few mins to failover.
2. For 2003 either cluster Exch.
3. Or have a hot standby server, i.e with OS installed. ready to install Exch with the /disaterrecover switch, then you can restore DB to it.