Not sure what backup solution you're running, but we build a backup server, restore a domain controller, and from then on restore the rest of the servers and databases we need. As far as Exchange 2003, restore the server and database(s). You'll be in an isolated domain and should be able to authenticate and get your email.
My biggest piece of advice, document every step along with a timeline while you're doing it. By the time you are done, you'll probably be too tired to make notes after the fact. Once you get back to the office, hold a meeting and review the steps and time it took to do them. Then work to resolve problems and look for more efficient ways to recover. And test your DR regularly! > -----Original Message----- > From: Tom Miller [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 7:57 AM > To: NT System Admin Issues > Subject: DR planning > > Folks, > > Next week we are testing two disaster scenarios at a remote site (we pay > the site and they provide servers only for restore/DR - no live > hosting). > > We have Exchange 2003 here and a variety for 2008/2003 servers as DCs > and member servers for file and print. > > Recommendations for recovery? This is just a simple test to see what we > can do. Long-term I'm going to recommend live servers so I have put a > DC and replicate files and Exchange 2010 there. For now I'll need to be > able to restore some SQL databases for an enterprise system, Exchange > 2003, and files for file and print. > > Since it's a test and I can't restore servers of the same name and such > on a live network - we have an MPLS link to DR site - I was thinking of > just building a few new servers, add a DC, and install SQL and restore > databases. What about Exchange 2003? Is there a way I can restore the > databases but only be able to manually pull mail from them? Or would it > be better to just build a new Exchange 2003 server and add DR accounts > to it. It has been a long time since I've worked with Exchange, so your > thoughts are appreciated. > > Moving forward, what do you folks do for DR? I was thinking at the > remote site (always live eventually): DC, SQL server with replicated > databases (2012 AlwaysOn I guess), server for file and print using DFS > to replicate critical files, another Exchange 2010 server in the current > DAG, and a hub/client access server. > > Tom > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ > ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ > > --- > To manage subscriptions click here: > http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ > or send an email to [email protected] > with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to [email protected] with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin
