Recovering Exchange backups

Use the recovery feature to recover an entire database, storage group, or selected items from Exchange backups. See the following topics for details:

Before recovering, see these topics for details specific to your Exchange environment:

Exchange 2016, 2013, and 2010 use recovery databases. Each server has a recovery database, and there can only be a single mounted recovery database at a time.

Once you have created the recovery database, recover the backup to it. Then use the Microsoft Exchange Management Shell to extract mailbox data from the information store into the local mail.pst file. You can also merge the extracted data back into the currently active information store.

Recovery databases differ from the RSG (Recovery Storage Group) mechanism in Exchange 2007 and 2003.

Exchange 2007 uses the RSG (Recovery Storage Group) mechanism. RSG enables you to mount a second copy of an Exchange information store on any Exchange server that belongs to the same Exchange Administrative Group as the original, while the original information store is still active. This feature enables you to recover data from the backup copy of the information store without interfering with the on-going operation of the Exchange server.

Once you have created the RSG, you first recover the backup to it and then use the Microsoft Exchange Management Shell in Exchange 2007 to extract mailbox data from the information store into the local mail .pst file. Optionally, you may also merge the extracted data back into the currently active information store.

RSG differs from the recovery database mechanism in Exchange 2016, 2013, and 2010.

Direct recovery to the RSG (Recovery Storage Group) is not permitted for Exchange 2003 backups. Instead only recovering to the original location or to an alternate location is supported.

Use the procedures in this section to recover an Exchange database or storage group to a specific target. Before the recovery, verify the recovery target is set up as required and that any restrictions have been met. Choose from the following recovery targets:

Recovery to the Exchange server is the default recovery type. All database and transaction log files recover directly to the original location. To perform a successful recovery to the original Exchange server, the following conditions must be met:

Condition

Explanation

Database name and file name must remain unchanged from the time the backup was performed.

The database name is the symbolic or displayable name of the database. For example, Mailbox Database or Mailbox1. The actual database file name, for example Mailbox1.edb, must also be unchanged since the backup was run.

Note that the location of the database files and transaction log files may be changed after the backup has been performed, if needed. If the log files or database files must be moved to another volume or disk, the actual names of the database files must be preserved.

Databases must be dismounted.

For Exchange 2003 and 2007, this includes all databases contained in the storage group. For Exchange 2016, 2013, and 2010, only the database being recovered must be dismounted.

Database must be in a Clean Shutdown state.

If the database is in a Dirty Shutdown state, you can recover the backup, but need to bring the database into a Clean Shutdown state to mount the database. After recovering, if you cannot mount the database, see this Microsoft article to determine whether this is the problem: Exchange Database Is in a Dirty Shutdown State.

Databases must be marked as overwrite allowed on restore.

All databases must have the overwrite allowed on restore flag set. This task can be performed using the Exchange server administrative console or the appropriate Exchange server command line utility. If this is not the case, the recovery fails.

Remove all existing database and transaction log files.

Unitrends recommends that all database and transaction log files be removed from the recovery location. Recovering a differential, incremental, or a full backup recovers the server to a specific point-in-time. To ensure that the storage group or database can be remounted without integrity errors, any existing database and transaction log files should be removed before performing the recovery.

You can recover from a backup by using the Backup Catalog or the Backup Browser. To recover from an imported backup or hot backup copy, you must use the Backup Catalog. See these topics for details:

Run this procedure from the backup appliance to recover an entire backup or imported backup copy. Run this procedure from the backup copy target appliance to recover an entire hot backup copy.

1 Verify that all prerequisites in Recovering to the original Exchange server have been met.
2 Log in to the backup appliance or target appliance (if recovering from a hot backup copy).
3 Select Recover and click the Backup Catalog tab.

(Optional) Use Filter Backups to the right to customize the backups that display. For details, see Working with custom filters.

4 Expand the Exchange asset and select one of the following:
• An Exchange backup.
• An imported Exchange backup copy. (To import a backup copy, see To import a cold backup copy or To import a hot backup copy.)
• A hot backup copy (supported if performing the recovery on the target appliance where the hot copy resides).
5 Click Recover.

6 Select these Recovery Options:
• Exchange Server from the Recovery Target list.
• Exchange from the Asset list.
• Original Location for the Recovery Location(Optional) Specify asset-side commands to run by entering any system command or user script in Commands to run pre-restore and Commands to run post-restore.
7 Click Next.

8 Click Save.
• The recovery job is queued immediately. To view the running job, select Jobs > Active Job.
• All database and transaction log files are recovered directly to the original location.
9 Re-mount any databases you dismounted for the recovery.

Use this procedure to recover a backup to the original location.

Note:  This procedure is not supported for imported backups or hot backup copies. To recover an imported backup or backup copy, use the Backup Catalog procedure above.

1 Verify that all prerequisites in Recovering to the original Exchange server have been met.
2 Log in to the backup appliance.
3 Select Recover > Backup Catalog and click Backup Browser.

4 Select the Appliance and Date Range of backups to search. Backups that ran during the date range display.
5 (Optional) Refine the search:
• Enter text in any column field to filter the display.
• Click an arrow to sort by column.
• Click the accordion icon to add or remove columns from the display. (Not all columns display by default.)
• For a description of each column, see Backup Browser column descriptions.
6 Select the Exchange backup and click Recover.

7 Select these Recovery Options:
• Exchange Server from the Recovery Target list.
• Exchange from the Asset list.
• Original Location for the Recovery Location(Optional) Specify asset-side commands to run by entering any system command or user script in Commands to run pre-restore and Commands to run post-restore.
8 Click Next.

9 Click Save.
• The recovery job is queued immediately. To view the running job, select Jobs > Active Job.
• All database and transaction log files are recovered directly to the original location.
10 Re-mount any databases you dismounted for the recovery.

Recovery to a recovery area is supported only for Exchange 2016/2013/2010 (a recovery database) and Exchange 2007 (an RSG, or recovery storage group). It is not supported for Exchange 2003 or earlier versions. Additionally, it is only available if there is a recovery database or recovery storage group available in the backup.

To perform a successful recovery to a recovery database or recovery storage group, the following conditions must be met:

Condition

Explanation

Exchange 2016/2013/2010 recovery database or Exchange 2007 RSG

Exchange 2003 or earlier versions are not supported.

Databases must be dismounted.

For Exchange 2007, this includes all databases contained in the storage group. For Exchange 2016, 2013 and 2010, only the recovery databases must be dismounted.

Database must be in a Clean Shutdown state.

If the database is in a Dirty Shutdown state, you can recover the backup but need to bring the database into a Clean Shutdown state to mount the database. After recovering, if you cannot mount the database, see this Microsoft article to determine whether this is the problem: Exchange Database Is in a Dirty Shutdown State.

Databases must be marked as overwrite allowed on restore.

All databases must have the overwrite allowed on restore flag set. This task can be performed using the Exchange server administrative console or the appropriate Exchange server command line utility. If this is not the case, the recovery fails.

Remove all existing database and transaction log files.

Unitrends recommends that all database and transaction log files be removed from the recovery location. Recovering a differential, incremental, or a full backup recovers the server to a specific point-in-time state. To ensure that the storage group or database can be remounted without integrity errors, any existing database and transaction log files should be removed before performing the recovery.

[Exchange 2007 only] The RSG must contain the same number of mailbox databases and public folder databases as the original storage group

Each database filename (e.g., mailbox1.edb, publicfolder.edb) created in the recovery storage group must match the corresponding database file name in the original storage group that is being recovered. Creating recovery storage groups using the Exchange 2007 Administrative Console enforces this rule.

You can recover from a backup by using the Backup Catalog or the Backup Browser. To recover from an imported backup or hot backup copy, you must use the Backup Catalog. See these topics for details:

Run this procedure from the backup appliance to recover an entire backup or imported backup copy. Run this procedure from the backup copy target appliance to recover an entire hot backup copy.

1 Verify that all prerequisites in Recovering to a recovery area have been met.
2 Log in to the backup appliance or target appliance (if recovering from a hot backup copy).
3 Select Recover and click the Backup Catalog tab.

(Optional) Use Filter Backups to the right to customize the backups that display. For details, see Working with custom filters.

4 Expand the Exchange asset and select one of the following:
• An Exchange backup.
• An imported Exchange backup copy. (To import a backup copy, see To import a cold backup copy or To import a hot backup copy.)
• A hot backup copy (supported if performing the recovery on the target appliance where the hot copy resides).
5 Click Recover.

6 Select Original Exchange Server as the Recovery Target.
7 Select a Recovery Database from the drop-down.
8 (Optional) Specify asset-side commands to run by entering any system command or user script in Commands to run pre-restore and Commands to run post-restore.
9 Click Next.
10 Click Save.

The recovery job is queued immediately. To view the running job, select Jobs > Active Job.

Use this procedure to recover a backup to a recovery area.

Note:  This procedure is not supported for imported backups or hot backup copies. To recover an imported backup or backup copy, use the Backup Catalog procedure above.

1 Verify that all prerequisites in Recovering to a recovery area have been met.
2 Log in to the backup appliance.
3 Select Recover > Backup Catalog and click Backup Browser.

4 Select the Appliance and Date Range of backups to search. Backups that ran during the date range display.
5 (Optional) Refine the search:
• Enter text in any column field to filter the display.
• Click an arrow to sort by column.
• Click the accordion icon to add or remove columns from the display. (Not all columns display by default.)
• For a description of each column, see Backup Browser column descriptions.
6 Select the Exchange backup and click Recover.
7 Select Original Exchange Server as the Recovery Target.
8 Select a Recovery Database from the drop-down.
9 (Optional) Specify asset-side commands to run by entering any system command or user script in Commands to run pre-restore and Commands to run post-restore.
10 Click Next.
11 Click Save.

The recovery job is queued immediately. To view the running job, select Jobs > Active Job.

This option recovers the Exchange information store to be recovered to a location other than the original location where it resided when the backup occurred. The alternate location can be either to the same Exchange server host, a different Windows protected asset, the network share of your Unitrends appliance, or any CIFS/NFS network storage. To recover to CIFS/NFS network storage, you must first add the storage to the Unitrends appliance as a NAS asset. For details, see Managing protected assets.

The following specifies the difference between a full, differential, and incremental recovery to an alternate location:

Backup type

Explanation

Full

All data associated with the Exchange information store is recovered to the specified location.

Differential

Only the data contained in the differential backup is recovered to the named location; the associated full backup is not recovered. A differential recovery should be used only if certain files within the backup are required or a third-party tool is used for individual mailbox or item recovery, e.g. Ontrack PowerControls. This type of recovery can be performed to any Windows-based protected asset, and the server is not required to have Microsoft Exchange Server installed. This type of recovery may also be done to the backup appliance.

Incremental

Incremental backup chains can become very lengthy, creating a large recovery. To simplify the recovery process, the appliance creates a single recovery job on the recovery point chosen. This is not a synthetic backup, it is simply a concentration of the available backups, sent in backed-up order.

You can recover from a backup by using the Backup Catalog or the Backup Browser. To recover from an imported backup or hot backup copy, you must use the Backup Catalog. See these topics for details:

Run this procedure from the backup appliance to recover an entire backup or imported backup copy. Run this procedure from the backup copy target appliance to recover an entire hot backup copy.

1 Verify that all prerequisites in Recovering Exchange backups have been met.
2 Log in to the backup appliance or target appliance (if recovering from a hot backup copy).
3 Select Recover and click the Backup Catalog tab.

(Optional) Use Filter Backups to the right to customize the backups that display. For details, see Working with custom filters.

4 Expand the Exchange asset and and select one of the following:
• An Exchange backup.
• An imported Exchange backup copy. (To import a backup copy, see To import a cold backup copy or To import a hot backup copy.)
• A hot backup copy (supported if performing the recovery on the target appliance where the hot copy resides).
5 Click Recover.

6 Select Alternate Location as the Recovery Target.
7 Select the asset where the backup will be recovered.
8 Enter the Directory Path where the backup will be recovered.
9 (Optional) Specify Advanced Options. To run client-side commands, enter any system command or user script in the Commands to run pre-restore and Commands to run post-restore fields.
10 Click Next.

11 Review settings and click Save. Click OK to close the Information message.

12 To monitor the recovery job:
• Select Jobs > Active Jobs.
• Select the recovery job in the list and click View Details.

• The recovery is complete when the job's status changes to Success.

13 Access the recovered data on the recovery target.

Use this procedure to recover a backup to an alternate location.

Note:  This procedure is not supported for imported backups or hot backup copies. To recover an imported backup or backup copy, use the Backup Catalog procedure above.

1 Verify that all prerequisites in Recovering Exchange backups have been met.
2 Log in to the backup appliance.
3 Select Recover > Backup Catalog and click Backup Browser.

4 Select the Appliance and Date Range of backups to search. Backups that ran during the date range display.
5 (Optional) Refine the search:
• Enter text in any column field to filter the display.
• Click an arrow to sort by column.
• Click the accordion icon to add or remove columns from the display. (Not all columns display by default.)
• For a description of each column, see Backup Browser column descriptions.
6 Select the Exchange backup and click Recover.
7 Select Alternate Location as the Recovery Target.
8 Select the asset where the backup will be recovered.
9 Enter the Directory Path where the backup will be recovered.
10 (Optional) Specify Advanced Options. To run client-side commands, enter any system command or user script in the Commands to run pre-restore and Commands to run post-restore fields.
11 Click Next.

12 Review settings and click Save. Click OK to close the Information message.

13 To monitor the recovery job:
• Select Jobs > Active Jobs.
• Select the recovery job in the list and click View Details.

• The recovery is complete when the job's status changes to Success.

14 Access the recovered data on the recovery target.

In addition to giving you the ability to recover an entire Exchange database or selected Exchange storage groups, Unitrends provides EQR (Exchange Quantum Recovery) which allows granular items, down to the individual mail item, to be recovered.

Unitrends offers and supports Ontrack PowerControls to recover individual items from an Exchange backup.

Note:  Ontrack PowerControls can be used with 32-bit versions of Outlook only. 64-bit Outlook versions are not supported. For a complete overview of Ontrack PowerControls for Exchange, including procedures and limitations, see the Ontrack PowerControls User Guide for Exchange and the Ontrack PowerControls ExtractWizard Guide.

There are two fundamental ways that this tool may be used:

Recover from

Explanation

Directly from the Exchange backup

Use to perform all of the functions associated with Ontrack PowerControls directly from the Exchange backup without having to first perform the recovery of an Exchange backup.

A previously recovered Exchange backup

After an Exchange backup has been recovered (see Recovering an Exchange database or storage group), Ontrack PowerControls or a third-party tool (e.g., Lucid8) can be used to search and recover individual Exchange items. Note that unlike Ontrack PowerControls, third-party tools are certified and supported by third parties and not by Unitrends.

Unitrends offers an optional feature that allows individual Exchange items to be recovered directly from the Exchange backup. This means that you can recover individual Exchange items without first having to perform the recovery of an Exchange backup. This option provides the fastest recovery time possible.

You can recover from a backup by using the Backup Catalog or the Backup Browser. To recover from an imported backup or hot backup copy, you must use the Backup Catalog. See these topics for details:

Use this procedure to recover items directly from an Exchange backup. Run this procedure from the backup appliance to recover from a backup or imported backup copy. Run this procedure from the backup copy target appliance to recover from a hot backup copy.

1 Log in to the backup appliance or target appliance (if recovering from a hot backup copy).
2 Select Recover and click the Backup Catalog tab.

(Optional) Use Filter Backups to the right to customize the backups that display. For details, see Working with custom filters.

3 Expand the Exchange asset and select one of the following:
• An Exchange backup.
• An imported Exchange backup copy. (To import a backup copy, see To import a cold backup copy or To import a hot backup copy.)
• A hot backup copy (supported if performing the recovery on the target appliance where the hot copy resides).
4 Click Recover Files.

5 Click Confirm to create the recovery point.

Note:  Creating the recovery point object can take some time. If you go to Ontrack PowerControls and do not see any available items, check back later.

6 Use Ontrack PowerControls to recover Exchange items. See Recovering items with Ontrack PowerControls for Exchange for details.
7 Tear down the recovery object. For instructions, see To view or tear down Exchange recovery objects.

Use this procedure to recover items directly from an Exchange backup.

Note:  This procedure is not supported for imported backups and backup copies. To recover from an imported backup or hot backup copy, use the Backup Catalog procedure above.

1 Log in to the backup appliance.
2 Select Recover > Backup Catalog and click Backup Browser.

3 Select the Appliance and Date Range of backups to search. Backups that ran during the date range display.
4 (Optional) Refine the search:
• Enter text in any column field to filter the display.
• Click an arrow to sort by column.
• Click the accordion icon to add or remove columns from the display. (Not all columns display by default.)
• For a description of each column, see Backup Browser column descriptions.
5 Select the Exchange backup and click Recover Files.
6 Click Confirm to create the recovery point.

Note:  Creating the recovery point object can take some time. If you go to Ontrack PowerControls and do not see any available items, check back later.

7 Use Ontrack PowerControls to recover Exchange items. See Recovering items with Ontrack PowerControls for Exchange for details.
8 Tear down the recovery object. For instructions, see To view or tear down Exchange recovery objects.

After files have been recovered, the session remains until you tear it down. Because appliance resources are used to maintain the session, it is important to tear it down to ensure optimal performance.

To view or tear down Exchange recovery objects

1 If tearing down the object, disconnect from the network drive you mounted on the Ontrack PowerControls system.
2 Select Recover and click the Backup Catalog tab.
3 Select File Level Recovery.
4 Select the Exchange recovery object in the list.
5 Click Remove to tear down the object.

If the option of recovering an individual Exchange item directly from the Exchange backup is not available, then the recovery may be performed from a previously recovered Exchange backup. After an Exchange backup has been recovered, Ontrack PowerControls or a third-party tool (e.g., Lucid8) may be used to search and recover individual Exchange items. Note that unlike Ontrack PowerControls, third-party tools are certified and supported by third parties and not Unitrends.

There are two classes of recovery targets in this situation: the recovery of the Exchange backup may be performed to the Unitrends system or the recovery of the Exchange backup may be performed to a customer’s Windows system. The advantage to recovering the Exchange backup to the Unitrends appliance is that typically the recovery is faster because there is no network bandwidth overhead incurred.

After completing one of the procedures in Recovering Exchange items, use the following procedure to recover individual items.

Note that to copy to a mailbox other than the one you logged in under, Full Mailbox Access must be set to Allow. For additional information, see About Restoring Messages to a Microsoft Exchange Server in the Ontrack® Power Controls™ User Guide.

To recover items using Ontrack PowerControls for Exchange

Note:  Creating the recovery object can take some time. If you do not see any available items in Ontrack PowerControls, check back later.

1 Log in to your Windows machine with Ontrack PowerControls installed. Run Ontrack PowerControls for Exchange.
2 On the Welcome screen, click Next.
3 Next to the Source File field, click Browse. Browse to the exchange_restore share on your Unitrends appliance and double click the Exchange .edb file.
If recovering from a full backup, the .edb file should be located in the backup0 folder. If recovering from a differential or incremental backup, the .edb file should be in the merged folder.
4 Back on the Source Path Selection screen, click Next.
5 Choose to recover to a PST file or directly back to a live Exchange environment.
If recovering back to a live Exchange environment, supply administrative credentials to any mailbox to which you want to recover.
6 Click Next.
If creating a PST file, click Next and make a selection on the compatibility of the file.
7 To recover items, do one of the following:
• To recover items to a PST file or live Exchange environment, navigate to the items you want to recover in the Source pane on top, select them, then drag and drop them to the node you want to recover them to in the Target pane on bottom.
• To recover items to a network location, navigate to the items you want to recover in the Source pane on top, select them, right click and select Export, select a message format and recovery location, and click Export.
8 After recovering all the items you want to recover, close Ontrack PowerControls for Exchange.
9 Tear down the recovery object as described in To view or tear down Exchange recovery objects.