Exchange Agent or Open File Option?

[dkraut]

The web site says that the open file option will backup Exchange databases so why would I need the Exchange Agent?

 

 

 

I'm using Multi Server v6.

 

 

 

Thx! Dave

[Mayoff]

The Exchange agent uses Microsoft API's (commands) to copy the exchange server. The Open File Backup option copies files while they are open, which isn't officially supported by Microsoft.

 

 

 

Question:

 

 

 

What is the Exchange Agent doing?

 

 

 

Answer:

 

 

 

We enable the Microsoft Exchange API to back up the needed Exchange components for a database restore, and during the restore we use the same API.

 

 

 

When we use the Microsoft API to back up Exchange, you end up with a bunch of different datafiles. This is by design. You shouldn't worry about the exact content of the files, because they are just pieces to the puzzle. The aggregate of all those files, placed in the correct way, by the Microsoft Exchange API, will result in a consistent fully working database. We don't attempt to perform any additional modification or manipulation of the files, we simply capture them to a selected location, from which we can back them up.

 

 

 

To restore the Exchange database you first restore the datafiles to a hard disk, then start up our Exchange Agent, which, using the Microsoft Exchange API, takes the files and replaces them in the correct order. This leaves you, by Microsoft's designed strategy, with a fully functional Exchange database. If missing, users may also need to restore the Registry and Windows directory for Exchange to function correctly.