OK, I'll bite.

A connect Agent is required b/c the exchange information store and directory
are actually database files that are open all the time so they cannot be
backed up by a conventional backup program. You could shutdown all the
Exchange services and then do a normal (it's called offline) backup but
Exchange would be unavailable during this time. As far as restoring
individual mailboxes this is not supported by Microsoft API calls at this
time. The prescribed method to restore an individual mailbox is to restore
the IS to another server and extract the contents of the mailbox to a
personal folder (PST) that can then be opened on the client workstation and
imported into his mailbox. With Exchange 5.5 there is a new feature that
let's you keep copies of deleted files for n days that should help with
individual messages being accidentally deleted but will not help you if a
mailbox is accidentally deleted.

Hope this helps,
Mark


>  -----Original Message-----
> From:         Monks, Phil [mailto:PMONKS AT LOUKY DOT ORG]
> Sent: Monday, September 27, 1999 12:41 PM
> To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject:      ADSM/Exchange/Connect Agent
> Importance:   High
>
>
>       We are running ADSM Server 3.1.2.40 on AIX with most of the Clients
> @ 3.1.0.7.  We also have Exchange 5.5. running on NT using ADSMConnect
> Agent 1.1 for M/S Exchange.
>
>
>       I'm hoping someone can give me  an understandable explanation of:
>
>       1)      Why a special connect agent is required to backup M/S
> Exchange Server?
>
>       2)      Is there any simple method (short of duplicating the
> exchange server) to restore a single mail box and/or user if accidentally
> deleting.
>
>       Any information/suggestions would be much appreciated.
>
>
>
>
> Phillip M. Monks, Database Administrator
> City Of Louisville
> Department Of Technology
> pmonks AT louky DOT org
> 502-574-3608