Hello I was wondering if I could please have some advice?
2/3 Months ago, one of my clients lost there mail for 2/3 days and they are now looking to upgrade from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007, but, want a DR solution in place. I have been asked to advise on various solutions, from the cheapest scenario to the top. My first thought was to go down the SCR route, but I have a query. If they purchase Exchange 2007 Standard Edition (With Software Assurance, so they can have "Cold Backup" Servers waiting but not switched on) In the event of a Disaster on the main box, could you use the LCR files from it on the Cold Backup Server to get it up and running?
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Well the plan was to store the LCR files on a NAS\SAN or even an external USB, it had been mentioned to me that this was possible, so, I thought I would be able to copy to the Cold Backup box and then initialize that box. Even though LCR is not designed for this sort of DR, could it be possible that it would work fine? Sorry to be pedantic, but the client wants every possibilty and price of solution made available to them. I have explained that if they are concerned with DR then they just pay for a good reliable service, but I have to do what they ask.
You still have to go through the full recovery process of Exchange. You cannot just boot up the cold box and expect it to work. You could probably make it work, like I could use a Ferrari to do my weekly food shop, but it isn't what it was designed for.
Exchange is designed to be used in a number of ways. The primary way is to have the database backed up, with the transaction logs on a separate array. In the event of a system failure you restore the database then replay the transaction logs.
If you want off site backup then you use something like SCR which replicates the logs to another database.
I wouldn't call LCR a DR solution and if a client showed me a proposal that said it was, I would advise them to get another consultant. That may seem harsh, but if you are concerned about DR then you need to it correctly.
Simon.
Business Accounts
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by: SolpakPosted on 2009-09-08 at 08:25:50ID: 25282851
If 125 points isn't enough please let me know :)