ADSM-L

Re: DPA for Exchange

2000-05-11 15:01:28
Subject: Re: DPA for Exchange
From: Del Hoobler <hoobler AT US.IBM DOT COM>
Date: Thu, 11 May 2000 15:01:28 -0400
Gerald,

This has been discussed a few times on this list.
Look back at the archives to view more discussions.

There is also a white paper discussing the
problems and issues using MAPI (messaging APIs)
to do backup and restore.  I think Cheyenne put
it out originally...

...but to explain a little bit...read below...

The main reason is that the Tivoli Data Protection
for Microsoft Exchange uses the APIs defined and recommended
by Microsoft for doing "backup and restore".

These APIs do NOT offer item level granularity.
We chose to use those APIs because it is Microsoft's
strong recommendation to use them for backup and restore
as well as performance issues on large Exchange Servers.
They tell us that the APIs were specifically written
for doing backup and restore and that they take
advantage of the Exchange architecture for doing so.

The MAPI interface does offer item level granularity
but is not designed for doing backup and restores.
There are a number of issues when using MAPI to
backup up your Exchange server, some of which are
performance issues and breaking single-instance store.

This question was also asked at Microsoft Exchange Conference '99
and Microsoft addressed it by saying that they hold their
position to NOT introduce it into the "backup and restore" API
because of performance issues and having to break their architecture.

They have chosen to take the following steps when it comes to
restoring individual items to alleviate the problem:

Exchange 5.5 SP3 - Deleted item retention

Exchange 2000 - Deleted mailbox retention

Exchange 2000 - Introduction of storage groups that
                  split the IS into up to 90 databases.
                  It allows you to manage those db's
                  separately...including restoring
                  individual databases without
                  affecting other databases.

Thanks,

Del

----------------------------------------------------
Del Hoobler
Del Hoobler
IBM Corporation
hoobler AT us.ibm DOT com


Gerald Wichmann <gwichmann AT SANSIA DOT COM>@VM.MARIST.EDU> on 05/11/2000
01:37:39 PM

Please respond to "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU>

Sent by:  "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU>


To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
cc:
Subject:  DPA for Exchange



So far everyone I've talked to who's expressed interest in using TSM as a
backup solution has not liked the fact that with the DPA for Exchange you
can't restore an individual mailbox without jumping through some serious
hoops (installing the entire exchange to a separate exchange server and
exporting the mailbox).

I'm not quite clear on why Tivoli chose to backup Exchange the way they
did.. What are the advantages here and what do you say to those who want to
restore an individual mailbox (which seems to be a common need)?

Thanks!

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