I have a query on the process to use when executing Legacy TDP Exchange 2003
Restores when using Differential Backups.

My client's environment is MSCS Exchange 2003 Virtual Servers.
TSM Server is AIX 5.4.3.2
Windows TSM client is 5.3.4.3 and 5.4.1.2
TDP 5.3.3
TDP GUI is used for all restores.

Currently all daily backups using TDP are FULL backups, but as the volume of
data grows I am looking at implementing differential backups to reduce the
amount of data transferred in the backup window.

The restore process, is to always use the Recovery Storage Group.
So, a restore of a single Mailstore Database can be safely executed without
compromising the live data.
In order to do this, the Exchange administrator first defines the database
to be restored in the RSG, then we run the restore from the Full backup.

When we introduce the Differential backup, does the restore process have to
be altered from Mailstore Database granularity to Storage Group by any
chance?

It appears that when you select the Differential Backup in the GUI during
Restore processing, the previous FULL backup appears to select all mailstore
DBs in the SG, is this correct?

The worry is that in order to use RSG and Differential restores, the
Exchange administrator would have to define to the RSG all the mailstore DBs
in a Storage Group in order to restore a single mailstore DB.

Surely this cannot be correct; have I missed something in the process?

Thanks

Robin Lowe
Storage Consultant