Re: [Networker] Networker module for exchange and vss

Hello Kenneth et al,

The danger in disabling the Exchange Writer is that this will allow file system 
backups to save copies of the Exchange database and log files.  Modern backup 
applications skip files that are protected by applications' VSS writers, as per 
Microsoft design requirements, during file system backup operations.  

So long as you are protecting Exchange through an Exchange-aware mechanism 
(which you are via NMEx) and you ensure that you skip the Exchange files if you 
ever need to recover to disks where Exchange files are also kept, then I 
believe that disabling should be fine.

If an unaware system admin were to disable the writer, then try to recover 
using Exchange files from a file system save, the Exchange recovery would fail. 
 Worse, if the admin saw these in log files or browse views or whatever, and 
assumed that Exchange was protected, they would have nothing after the 
inevitable crash.

In theory, it shouldn't be necessary to disable the Exchange Writer.  The 
NetWorker pieces should work fine even with the Exchange Writer running.

Thanks,
_Scott

-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra: EMC NetWorker discussion [mailto:NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU] På 
vegne af Kenneth Larsen
Sendt: 12. januar 2009 12:02
Til: NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Emne: Re: [Networker] Networker module for exchange and vss

Looks like this key
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS\ParametersSystem]
"Disable Exchange Writer"=dword:00000001

Did the trick, found it in a kb for enableing VSS on microsoft small buissiness 
server.

Just annoying the EMC doesnt mention this anywhere in thier admin guides.

I guess something similar will have to be done on the various SQL2005 servers 
too :) Would be nice if they could make it part of the networker module for 
exchange/sql server install, like they have made the firewall config part of 
the regular client install :) 

...

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