Alternative backup/restore method of SBS 2003 Server

[IoMatua]

Hi.

Our server has had a number a problems during the past few weeks, and the outfit that normally services our server has chosen to ignore our pleas for help, so the gaunlet has been passed onto me to fix the problem. Now, I feel I should point out that I'm not a full-time sysadmin, and the only experience I have is during the odd occasion I would tinker around on the server whenever I needed to do something.

The core of the problem is that the COM+ Event System service will not start. I've spent an entire week trying to rectify the problem, but ultimately decided that a full reinstallation of the server would be the best option.

During the time that COM+ has been down, the backups haven't been running (gasp!), so I'm assuming that Volume Shadow Copy is dependant upon COM+ (indirectly via the RPC service - correct me if I'm wrong on this). So I have a need to devise some alternative method to backing up the server, such that I can reliably restore server upon reinstallation.

The only elements we need to restore are the user files, the Exchange Information Store, and the Active Directory Users and Groups (although I don't mind spending the extra time recreating the users/groups if it would simplify the process - there's only a handful). I've already backed up the user files to an external drive, so that's done. I'm just not sure what the ideal method is for backing up Exchange/AD, and then being able to successfully restore them. If it would simplify things, I wouldn't mind reconfiguring the server from scratch, as I have all the necessary documentation.

If anyone can offer some advice here, it would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[LWComputingMVP]

First, how much of your time is this going to take? Expect a MINIMUM of 1 Day. I don't know what you get paid or how much your time is worth... but a call to Microsoft Support is $245. And if it turns out the problem is not something you could have resolved on your own (through online documentation), you should be able to get that refunded. Further, for $350, you can get TechNet Direct Plus which will give you software appropriate for use in creating test networks to allow you to test things first (such as a test network to test how you would restore everything). AND, the TechNet subscription INCLUDES 2 calls to MS Support, so it's like prepaying for 2 calls at a 30% discount and getting the other technet resources free.

Finally, If this is still something you want to do, you can do one of two things (probably both wouldn't hurt):

1. Use ExMerge to dump all the users exchange data to PST files - just make sure no one's mailbox is over 2 GB (PST file limit from ExMerge is 2GB).
2. backup the exchange database files and when you rebuild, make SURE you use the same domain name and server name. Then you SHOULD be able to attach the database file to the Exchange Recovery Group.

 

[wahnula]

IoMatua

Another part-time sysadmin here. When I migrated from NT4.0 to SBS (solo, 8 users at the time) I simply created the AD from scratch using the "User" template. I exported all the users' Exchange data to local machine .PST files, saved to each machine's desktop, then after running connectcomputer on each client I imported the .PST file into Outlook, making sure it was also importing to Exchange. For the multiple Outlook calendars, I exported/imported them also.

I would recommend saving the entire Exchange store separately, in the event of an emergency it can be re-imported as a whole.

As LW said above, plan on the entire day. Be systematic and write everything down. Whatever time you project to spend, double it and add a few hours.

I would really, really, really, really try and get the SBS Backup working again, maybe that $245 tech call would get that done. It's well worth every penny if it saves you from reloading from scratch.

As much as I like fiddling with PCs it's different when you have an office full of people waiting for you to finish so they can go back to work.

Tony

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