[Box Backup] Exchange Server and shadow copy stuff using box backup

[Dave Bamford]

Thanks Chris

I tried the MS NTbackup route this afternoon. It created a file of about 3Gb
from the exchange folder which would take over a day to backup at current
upload speeds. This means I can only run the scheduled task every other day.
I think shutting down exchange overnight is currently the best option, 
barring
integrating the code.

Anyway have a great time in Mexico, don't drink too much tequilla :-)

Dave

Chris Wilson wrote:
> Hi Dave,
>
>> I have a client who has a need for MS Exchange to be backed up via 
>> box backup.
>>
>> He is rather insistent that we use box backup as it "has saved his 
>> bacon a few times" and doesn't want to move to anything else!
>>
>> I've told his this is not a current feature and he has now responded 
>> and said what would it cost to make it happen.
>
> It is possible to back up Exchange right now, but it is a bit 
> convoluted. Basically you have to use MS Backup to create a Volume 
> Shadow Service backup of Exchange, which is saved in a file, which Box 
> Backup will back up.
>
> Restore will then be a two-stage process: restore the backed-up 
> Exchange backup file with Box, and then restore it over the Exchange 
> installation with MS Backup.
>
> There has been a discussion of implementing Volume Shadow Services 
> backups within Box Backup itself, removing the need for the MS Backup 
> step, but so far nobody has had time to do that.
>
>> Any suggestions as to potential costs of writing this assuming any 
>> new code remains under the existing "open source" licence for all to 
>> use?
>
> I'm afraid I won't really have time to implement that this year. 
> However, Charles Lecklider has expressed an interest and has the 
> skills to do this. I believe that lack of time has prevented him from 
> doing it so far, and a financial offer might well help to persuade 
> him. Might I suggest that you contact him directly for a quote?
>
>> I'm assuming it would be able to run in the background.
>
> I guess that by "in the background" you mean "without shutting down 
> Exchange", which is what I assumed above.
>
> If you don't mind shutting down Exchange regularly then you can use 
> Box Backup to back up its files without any problems while it's shut 
> down.
>
> Cheers, Chris.