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Upgrading Disks in Exchange 2003 Server
Hi,
Our Exchange 2003 Server is running out of disk space so we need to upgrade it. The Logs and Store are on a separate volume to the OS of the server. So I intend to do the following:
Stop all the Exchange Services
Copy the Exchange Database Files to another location as flat files
Replace the disks with bigger disks and build a new array
Copy the Exchange Database Files back
Start all the Exchange Services
The question is, will this definitely work?
I've done it with SQL Servers several times and it was fine. I assume it will be the same with Exchange?
Thanks
Our Exchange 2003 Server is running out of disk space so we need to upgrade it. The Logs and Store are on a separate volume to the OS of the server. So I intend to do the following:
Stop all the Exchange Services
Copy the Exchange Database Files to another location as flat files
Replace the disks with bigger disks and build a new array
Copy the Exchange Database Files back
Start all the Exchange Services
The question is, will this definitely work?
I've done it with SQL Servers several times and it was fine. I assume it will be the same with Exchange?
Thanks
Exchange
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sterlingdev
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Yes - just that. If you run a complete Exchange backup you can simply restore the whole Exchange Organisation to the new disks.
All you need do is ensure the new larger array has the same drive letters in use as the old one. and you still have the old Exchange organisation on the old disks.
this way roll back is a breeze.
Oh, and it also tests your DR solution so everyone is happy!
All you need do is ensure the new larger array has the same drive letters in use as the old one. and you still have the old Exchange organisation on the old disks.
this way roll back is a breeze.
Oh, and it also tests your DR solution so everyone is happy!
ASKER
Ok, I have a vague memory that when you restore Exchange you have to run setup.exe with a parameter... is this right? Or is this only necessary in other situations?
ASKER
Maybe, that document is quite long. Is there a /disasterrecovery parameter that can be used with the setup.exe?
/disasterrecovery is used when the box has crashed and you are rebuilding it
You mean the /disasterrecovery option?
I don't think you'll need this as you will be restoring the Exchange files exactly where they were before and the OS will have all the Exchange binaries still in place
I don't think you'll need this as you will be restoring the Exchange files exactly where they were before and the OS will have all the Exchange binaries still in place
ASKER
Ah right, so that option is only used if the server has completely died and the binaries have been corrupted or something similar?
Yes - if you think about it. If your DATA volumes have the same look as the old ones it'll be just the same as if you have pulled the disks out and put them straight back in.
As long as the databases and logfiles are completely backed up you'll be fine
As long as the databases and logfiles are completely backed up you'll be fine
ASKER
Great. I think I may just use my initial approach for this as I've done that before and will make the drive letters the same etc.
Good Luck with that then
ASKER
Thanks
Sorry, last question: There is very little risk doing it this way isn't there? Cause I will have a tape backup if it does go wrong anyway.
Sorry, last question: There is very little risk doing it this way isn't there? Cause I will have a tape backup if it does go wrong anyway.
Very small - I'd personally prefer to go the tape route as you prove that works at the same time, but it's all the same in the end
ASKER
Thanks for the help.
Kieran_Burns: What do you mean by an Exchange domain backup? I use Backupexec to backup Exchange so do you mean just a restore of the stores etc?