Create Backup Set

Overview

For a complete Exchange server backup, backup for the following components must be performed:

System State:

For Exchange server with Active Directory installed, as part of the restore, the system state of the server must also be restored.

Running regular system state backups of the Exchange is therefore crucial, as it ensures that the system state data is synchronized with the Exchange database data.

Information Store (Exchange 2007):

The Information Store of Exchange 2007 contains both mailbox store and public folder store data.

The server stores data into two files - .edb and .stm file that forms an Exchange store repository.

The default mailbox store on an Exchange 2007 server uses filename Priv1.edb and Priv1.stm; the default public folder store uses the filename Pub1.edb and Pub1.stm.

The .edb file contains tables that hold metadata for all e-mail messages and other items in the Exchange store, while .stm stores native Internet content.

Information Store (Exchange 2010 / 2013):

The Information Store of Exchange 2010/2013 contains the data, data definitions, indexes, checksums, flags, and other information that comprise mailboxes in Exchange.

Mailbox databases hold data that's private to an individual user and contain mailbox folders generated when a mailbox is created for that user. A mailbox database is stored as an Exchange database .edb file.

Public folder databases contain the data, their definitions, indexes, checksums, flags, and other information that comprise any public folders in your Exchange organization.

In Exchange Server 2010/2013, public folders are an optional feature.


Backup Requirements for Exchange Server 2007

Please ensure that the following requirements are met by the MS Exchange server:

  1. The Exchange databases selected for backup will be temporarily spooled to a temp directory before being uploaded to the backup server.
    It is recommended that the temporary directory have disk space of at least 120% of the total database size (e.g. total size of all .edb files found within the MS Exchange Server installation folder).
  2. It is recommended that the temporary directory be configured on a local drive.
  3. For Exchange server with Active Directory installed, a System State backup must be performed regularly with the MS Exchange server backup.


Backup Requirements for Exchange Server 2010

Please ensure that the following requirements are met by the MS Exchange server:

  1. Databases of the Exchange server are spooled to a temporary directory before being uploaded to the offsite backup server.
  2. The Exchange server 2010 backup will no longer required to spool the database to the hard disk, however the VSS Exchange backup still requires certain amount of disk space to operate. Microsoft suggested that some shadow copy mechanism may required to reserve 100% of the original database.

    Reference: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/exchange/aa579091%28v=exchg.140%29.aspx

  3. It is recommended that the temporary directory be configured on a local drive.
  4. For Exchange server with Active Directory installed, a System State backup must be performed regularly with the MS Exchange server backup.


Backup Requirements for Exchange Server 2013

Please ensure that the following requirements are met by the MS Exchange server:

  1. If you are using Exchange server 2013 on Windows server 2012, please install ".Net Framework 3.5 Features" under Server Manager > Dashboard > Add Roles and Features Wizard > Feature Page
  2. The Exchange server 2013 backup will no longer required to spool the database to the hard disk, however the VSS Exchange backup still requires certain amount of disk space to operate. Microsoft suggested that some shadow copy mechanism may required to reserve 100% of the original database.

    Reference: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/exchange/aa579091%28v=exchg.140%29.aspx

  3. It is recommended that the temporary directory be configured on a local drive.
  4. For Exchange server with Active Directory installed, a System State backup must be performed regularly with the MS Exchange server backup.


Set the name of the backup set

Key:

Field Description
Name This is the name of the backup set. You can create a meaningful name for it.
Backup Type Enter the correct backup type from the drop down box.
Version Version of the Exchange server.

To create a backup set name:

  1. Type in a meaningful backup set name.
  2. Enter correct backup type, eg: MS Exchange Server Backup.
  3. Enter the version of Exchange server.
  4. Click [Next] button to continue.