Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of Marc Chevalier
Marc ChevalierFlag for United States of America

asked on

Fastest way to copy 20gb of LIVE email data from server to server?

I have to move one email system (IpSwitch IMail) from one server (Windows 2003 32-bit Standard SP2) to a new server (Windows 2008 64-bit R2 Standard SP1) and I am trying to test this before I do it.  The problem is that in order to do this in testing mode or in the real migration, I have to copy 20GB of data from the old server to the new server.  I cannot get a complete copy of the email data when the email services are running and the fastest way I have found to do it (nic to nic) still takes around 90 minutes which is unacceptable for our company to be without email.  I am looking for the fastest way to copy this complete data from machine to machine whether it be all at once or using a utility which can copy files while they are being used or whatever.  Software, cables, hardware can all be options to make this work fast.  Thank you for your help!
Avatar of Amit
Amit
Flag of India image

Switch to Exchange 2010 with DAG. Replication is instant.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of packetguy
packetguy
Flag of United States of America image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of Marc Chevalier

ASKER

A flash drive sounded like the best way to me originally so I tried a 4gb file as a test.  4gb took 21 minutes and at that rate, 20gb would take 105 minutes which I just can't do.  I think my possible solution is to use some command or software which can backup the data in a live environment so that the company doesnt have to be down, then at a later time, use a command or software which will backup just the changes from the original copy and do it with the services stopped so that we get ALL the data.  Does this sound feasable and if so, do you know how to accomplish this?  in detail?
There is really no good way to back up live data from Exchange prior to the 2010 edition. You always run the risk of capturing an inconsistent state. However, if you have available disk space why not just stop Exchange long enough to make a local copy of the files you need, then restart Exchange and transfer them at your leisure? That's essentially the same process as with a flash drive.
I would make a local copy with the email services stopped but I do not have enough disk space.  This is part of why we are moving to a new server.  This is not exchange, it is an email server application from IPswitch call IMail.  I have to either run a crossover cable from nic to nic on each server or use a flash drive but both methods have tested out to be over 90 minutes.  Anybody else with an idea I have overlooked?
Instead of a flash drive, try a high speed external drive over usb3, firewire800, or esata. If you don't have those interfaces, you likely could easily add them using a plug-in card.

Perhaps the limiting factor in your case is CPU or bus speed.  Can you provide the specs for the server?