Backing up Info Store only vs Info store, mailbox & public folders

[molecul3]

Hi all,

Can someone give me a brief explanation of what are the pros and cons of backing up (or from a restore perspective):

1. Information Store, Mailbox and Public folders

vs

2. Information Store only

I heard that option 1 would give you the ability to restore individual mailboxes or emails but actually is not so efficient in terms of space saving as the Info Store actually contains all Mailboxes and Public folders and so it would be sort of duplicating the process.

Also, it would be good if you could give me an idea of what is the general consensus when configuring Exchange backups. Do more ppl use Option 1 or Option 2. I know it is a VERY general question...

Thanks in advance

 

[dslam24]

I use Option 1.

The advantage in my opinion is that it makes a lot easier when you have to restore one or two e-mails or folders here and there. That is probably what you will mostly be restoring IMO, unless you have a complete failure.

So if you have the space and window to run both I would do both.

You should never use the mailbox and public folders to restore your entire database, so you should always backup the information store at least.