osiexchange
asked on
Need some advice on restoring a database
We are trying to restore a database from a backup that was taken almost a year ago. Typically, I just create the Recovery Storage Group and do the restore. No problem. Well, the server that we are trying to restore is long gone. Exchange was uninstalled a few months ago and now when I create the Recovery Storage Group, of course its not in the list of servers and stores to select from. Now what???? Its very important that we do with restore. There has to be a way to do this? Microsoft can't expect you to keep servers around forever just so you can restore databases. Need some help.
Assuming this is a Domain, and that the server that was long gone is the one you wish to restore, Has the server that you are trying to restore from already been replicated to the domain?
ASKER
Not sure I understand what you are saying. Yes it is a Domain and the unistall took place some time ago so there is not trace of the server anywhere in AD. If we need it back. Is it possible to just build out another Exchange 2003 server with the same name?
It would technically be a new server. However, if it replicates out with the same name, I dont think backup software would know the difference as long as it was structured the same.
If you needed the data (mailbox stores, etc ) , it could be moved from the new server, but as far as the backup/restore process, if the new or old server is on the domain, and has replicated, it should be selectable on the list for backup/restore
If you needed the data (mailbox stores, etc ) , it could be moved from the new server, but as far as the backup/restore process, if the new or old server is on the domain, and has replicated, it should be selectable on the list for backup/restore
Hi,
Well, the server is gone but you can go ahead and setup a new Server with same Name in the same Domain as it was part of and use RSG. If the servername matches, then RSG will mount the DB, there is nothing to worry about.
If you still face issues let me know
Thanks
Nitin
Well, the server is gone but you can go ahead and setup a new Server with same Name in the same Domain as it was part of and use RSG. If the servername matches, then RSG will mount the DB, there is nothing to worry about.
If you still face issues let me know
Thanks
Nitin
ASKER
That is a lot of work but do-able. I do have another Exchange 2003 server in the environment that hasn't been retired yet. The name is different of course but the Storage Group name and mailbox database name are the same. Can I just to a restore (not RSG) to this server and overwrite the database it has now and then mount it. Does the server name really need to match. Of course I don't have any mailboxes on this Store I will be overwriting. It's just an empty Store.
Go ahead !
ASKER
Well, the restore worked but I am having issues using exmerge. It fails immediately. Its just the RSG database it fails on. I can extract from another database on the same server with no issues. Below is the error I get in the exmerge log. I found this in a technet article and it mentions several causes. Now this mailbox was moved to another server and operated there for some time. (Third item down) so I don't know if this has anything to do with it. I am really stuck here. Its nothing to do with the account I am using or permissions because exmerge does work on the other Stores on this server where the RSG sits. Yes, the Store is mounted with no errors. I just can't extract anything from it. Even using ESM and trying to merge the data fails.
Error 0x8004011d
One of the most frequently seen errors in the ExMerge log file is:
Error opening message store (EMS). Verify that the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service is running and that you have the correct permissions to log on. - 0x8004011d
There are several potential causes of this error, including:
Insufficient permissions on a database or mailbox to extract or insert data. Your logon account should be granted full permissions on the database, as described in Setting Permissions for Merging Data.
The destination database for the second step of an ExMerge operation is currently not mounted.
The mailbox selected for data extraction in the recovery storage group has been moved from the original database.
The same database has been configured in separate recovery storage groups on multiple servers.
The database that contains the System Attendant mailbox is disconnected. Typically, this is the first mailbox database configured on a server. It must be mounted in addition to the database(s) from which you are extracting data.
Error 0x8004011d
One of the most frequently seen errors in the ExMerge log file is:
Error opening message store (EMS). Verify that the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service is running and that you have the correct permissions to log on. - 0x8004011d
There are several potential causes of this error, including:
Insufficient permissions on a database or mailbox to extract or insert data. Your logon account should be granted full permissions on the database, as described in Setting Permissions for Merging Data.
The destination database for the second step of an ExMerge operation is currently not mounted.
The mailbox selected for data extraction in the recovery storage group has been moved from the original database.
The same database has been configured in separate recovery storage groups on multiple servers.
The database that contains the System Attendant mailbox is disconnected. Typically, this is the first mailbox database configured on a server. It must be mounted in addition to the database(s) from which you are extracting data.
Gentleman...
Permissions is the keyword here...make sure you have explicit permissions...even if it shows....add yourself there....make sure your account has all permssions at all possible places
Cheers
Nitin
Permissions is the keyword here...make sure you have explicit permissions...even if it shows....add yourself there....make sure your account has all permssions at all possible places
Cheers
Nitin
ASKER
That has been done. No difference. I added the account I am using at the RSG level and gave it Full Control as per a technet article I found. I can extract from the other production Stores on this server so all that is ok. Its just this particular Storage Group. Also, not sure if I remember correctly but after we do a restore to the RSG and mount the Store, I thought I remembered seeing all the mailboxes as disabled or flagged for deletion. On this restore, all the mailboxes look normail. Maybe I am just remember correctly.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
OK, thanks. I'll give this a try. The user account was not deleted but I will try this anyway. The other thing we were going to try is just restore to the server I just built and overwriting the Store. This basically does the same thing only you are manually copying the files. With the RSG, you don't have the Run Cleanup Agent option so maybe having a regular database instead of an RSG will help. I'll let you know.