Exchange

The Exchange plugin (data source) creates a snapshot of the Exchange information store using the Microsoft Volume Shadow-Copy Service (VSS).

In order for this to be successful, the following services need to be running:

• Microsoft Exchange Information Store (store.exe, the main service of Exchange)
• Volume Shadow Copy (the plugin/data source creates a snapshot of Exchange database using VSS)
• Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider (the writer used to work with Exchange by VSS)

The Exchange writer must be in a stable state before starting a backup. This is normally the case, but to check, run the following command from the command line:

vssadmin list writers

If it is not stable, then you need to restart the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service accessible from the Services console:

• Start > Run > services.msc

Should other (third-party) VSS writers be present (for example: Acronis or Symantec), then it is imperative that the standard Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider has a higher priority than the others. This can be checked by the following registry key:

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS\Providers

Any third-party writers should be set to 0 and only Microsoft should be set to 1. If you make any changes, you need to restart the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Provider service.

Finally, to be absolutely sure that a successful snapshot can be made, you can run the following utility from command line:

C:\Program Files\Backup Manager\ClientTool.exe vss.exchange.check

If the result says the snapshot is created successfully, then the backup of Exchange will run fine.

Potential causes of failure

If the initial backup takes longer than 24 hours to complete, the backup scheduled for the following day will be skipped with the message "Running a second simultaneous backup of VSS-based plugin is not allowed". This will show as "NotStarted" in the Dashboard.

There are several reasons that could lead to the loss of a snapshot, including a reboot of the server or a restart of the following services:

• Backup Service Controller
• Microsoft Exchange Information Store
• Volume Shadow Copy
• Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider

Should you have a failed backup session due to one of the above reasons, then afterwards please verify that the writer is stable by running the following command from the command line:

vssadmin list writers

Circular Logging

Circular logging should be turned off. It will not affect the progress of the backup if it is turned on, but it can affect the integrity of the snapshot.

Information on disabling circular logging for Exchange 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013 can be found here.

Ensure Databases are mounted

Please ensure the selected Exchange databases are mounted before attempting to run the backup.

Transaction Logs

At the end of each session, Backup & Recovery informs Exchange if a snapshot of a store was successfully created.

If this is the case, then Exchange itself will automatically purge transaction logs and so transaction logs are only truncated after a successful session.

If Exchange determines inconsistency in the store or the logs, it will not delete the logs (and the session will be unsuccessful).

The integrity of Exchange can be checked using the Microsoft tool: Eseutil.exe.

Cannot select  Exchange Stores

In one or two isolated cases, some customers have reported a problem selecting the Exchange stores in Backup & Recovery as when clicking on Exchange, no tree is expanded.

The solution to this problem is to start regedit and find the following value:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS\ParametersSystem\Disable Exchange Writer

The data for that value should be set to '0'. Once done, restart both the Microsoft Exchange Information Store and Backup Service Controller services.

It should now be possible to select the Exchange stores in Backup & Recovery by clicking on Exchange to expand the tree.

Important: in line with best practice we suggest backing up the Windows registry before making any changes, as alterations to the Windows registry are immediately applied with no automatic backup.

For your consideration we have included Microsoft's warning on using their Registry Editor below:

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For more information on this process, see MS Exchange recovery.

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites.