Backing up the Information Store vs. Backing up individual mailboxes

[PHead2]

Hi, I'm just getting started with Veritas...

Can anyone tell me the difference between backing up the information store and backing up individual mailboxes?

My understanding is that it's much quicker to only backup the information store, but how does this affect the restoration process (if at all)?

Thanks.

 

[Nkwe]

Hi Phead2,

If you only backup your Information Store (IS) and Directory Service (DS), your backup will be quicker but you will not be able to restore individual mailboxes. If you backup both the IS, DS and individual mailboxes, tha backup will take longer depending on the size of your mailbox but you have an added advantage of being able to restore individual mailboxes.

Remember, to be able to restore your entire Exchange server, you need to back up both the IS and DS.

Nkwe

 

[jamkey]

My suggestion is to backup the IS & DS and as for individual mailbox backups, just backup those mailboxes of personnel that can get you fired... For everyone else, turn on the Deleted Item retention time in Exch 5.5... I think this is now on by default in Exch 2k.