Ehh....you are now asking me about implementations. When you ask about "BLB", you are specifically referring to a MAPI backup as opposed to a VSS or ESE-level backup. I have no specifics on how "GRT", as a feature of BE, is implemented. It appears, based on this article (http://www.rm.com/Support/TechnicalArticle.asp?cref=TEC1226691) and the other articles referred to by that article, that GRT works by restoring a database, rolling it forward (i.e., applying all outstanding logfiles), and then reading directly from the database. The article I reference above also notes that if you properly configure and use DIR/DMR, that GRT is in fact more expensive in terms of time and disk used than the native tools. I just love independent confirmation. :-P
It sounds to me like GRT is not a BLB in the traditional sense, but that it depends on BackupExec/NetBackup understanding the format of an Exchange database as well as Microsoft does. To that I say "hah!" If DIR is enabled, then items stay in DIR even if the users delete those items from their Deleted Items folder. They can then be recovered by using "Recover Deleted Items" from Outlook or OWA. Regards, Michael B. Smith Consultant and Exchange MVP http://TheEssentialExchange.com From: John Hornbuckle [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 9:16 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: Exchange brick level backup software Options / soultion? Talk to me about item 5... I'm using Exchange 12.5. In my backup job, I have an option I can check to enable "Granular Recovery Technology." GRT lets me restore individual messages and mailboxes. You're saying that when I check that option, I'm no longer doing a "normal IS backup" and need, in essence, to create a second backup job in which GRT isn't enabled? We can live with item 1. Our Exchange backups take a few hours, but in our environment that's acceptable (we're not an overnight operation here, so long backups at night are fine). But you've piqued my curiosity; I may disable GRT and see how big a difference that makes in the time. On item 2, can't users permanently delete items from their Deleted Items folder, even it retention is enabled? I thought retention forced those items to be permanently deleted after a period of time, but I didn't know if also forced them to NOT be permanently deleted for that same period. But I'm not an Exchange wiz by any means; I'm a generalist, not a specialist. :-) John From: Michael B. Smith [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 8:48 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: Exchange brick level backup software Options / soultion? 1] it takes a long time - typically 2 or 3 times longer than a full Information Store backup 2] if you have properly configured and know how to use deleted item retention and deleted mailbox retention, BLB provides you with no added benefits 3] it makes mailbox auditing worthless 4] you lose visibility to "last accessed by" for the mailbox 5] if you are doing a BLB INSTEAD OF a normal IS backup (usually happens because of item [1]), it will give you a false sense of security - a BLB does NOT replace a full IS backup That being said - there are times and places and environments where it makes sense. Very few and far between. But they exist. Regards, Michael B. Smith Consultant and Exchange MVP http://TheEssentialExchange.com From: John Hornbuckle [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 8:39 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: Exchange brick level backup software Options / soultion? Is there a downside to doing brick-level backups, though? We're doing this with BackupExec, and I see only potential benefits to it-no drawbacks. John Hornbuckle MIS Department Taylor County School District www.taylor.k12.fl.us From: Ben Schorr [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 6:39 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: Exchange brick level backup software Options / soultion? Oh, don't do Brick Level backups. :-( Try Ed's method instead: http://www.exchangefaq.org/faq/Exchange-5.5/The-Ed-Crowley-Never-Restore-Method/sectionID/1009 Ben M. Schorr Chief Executive Officer ______________________________________________ Roland Schorr & Tower www.rolandschorr.com<http://www.rolandschorr.com/> [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> From: justino garcia [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 13:37 To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Exchange brick level backup software Options / soultion? Exchange brick level backup software, Anything beside NT-backup, has scheduling, can backup to NAS or DISKS, and that is Simple, and under 500USD? 30 mailboxes, about 60 gig store, needs to be backed-up daily, and restored just in case, to test, has scheduling, and how long it can retain a backup before it does a cleanup?? Any suggestions? Thanks NOTICE: Florida has a broad public records law. Most written communications to or from this entity are public records that will be disclosed to the public and the media upon request. E-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure. NOTICE: Florida has a broad public records law. Most written communications to or from this entity are public records that will be disclosed to the public and the media upon request. E-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
