Best VMware recovery options for virtual Server 2019 Exchange server
I'm getting ready to install the latest Windows updates and Exchange 2019 updates on my organization's Windows Server 2019 VMware virtual Exchange 2019 server.
I'm going to first install all of the Server 2019 updates and reboot until all of the Server 2019 updates have been installed.
Then I'm going to upgrade the Exchange server from its current version of Version 15.2 (Build 986.5) to the most recent version of 2019CU11+KB5008631 Version 15.2.986.15.
We are currently backing up all servers within our environment using Veeam version 11.0.1.1264.
What are the best options in terms of creating VMware snapshots or other backup options so that if any of these updates cause issues affecting the Exchange server and mail flow we will be able to quickly revert to the point the server was in before the updates were done without losing any emails in the process?
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@Works2011 We've been doing that since 2004! But we do not use Synology for production!
but to do that you MUST stop inbound and external mail flow at the point of Snapshot and then patch!
or your database would be out of date!
but to do that you MUST stop inbound and external mail flow at the point of Snapshot and then patch!
or your database would be out of date!
Note, we don't do the above for security updates, we just run them. We do the above while updating CUs which is what this thread was originally asking about.
@Works2011 So you’ve NEVER had an issue which needs a rollback for Windows Security or CU update!
@Andrew, I completely respect your knowledge, hope it's not coming off any different.
We don't use Synology for production either, as a failover solution, yes. Not to mention we don't do work like updating CUs during business hours...well today every hour is business.
We don't use Synology for production either, as a failover solution, yes. Not to mention we don't do work like updating CUs during business hours...well today every hour is business.
@Works2011 So you’ve NEVER had an issue which needs a rollback for Windows Security or CU updateNo, this isn't the case, many times, we're saying the same thing. Sorry, sounds like how I'm wording this may be a bit too confusing. Your solution is the better solution when it comes to updating a CU or security update. I'm not denying anything you're saying.
I'm also thinking of a server that we started managing that was missing several CU's and we found out they stopped doing them because they failed for one reason or another. This server needed more attention, so I should make it clear, this is when we're happy to use Synology. If a server is fully updated and just needs one CU rollback is fine.
Also, the question was about a second backup method, or it's how I read it, so why I added Synology.
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What are the best options in terms of creating VMware snapshots or other backup options so that if any of these updates cause issues affecting the Exchange server and mail flow we will be able to quickly revert to the point the server was in before the updates were done without losing any emails in the process?Synology, in my opinion, falls under "other backup options" and it sounds like the @IT Guy is possibly looking at an alternative solution to Veeam.
There is nothing wrong with any of the software products it's the procedure which needs to be followed!
I could start recommending the storage solution we use but I do not believe it's any better it's the procedure which needs to be designed and followed
eg we can restore a server in production in an instant! yes sub 1 sec!
but it still comes with a caveat which needs to be rehearsed and tested and a Procedure as above!
VMware vSphere is an excellent solution but costly licenses, Synology Hypervisor and NAS are okay, and Veeam is an excellent product.
you could use Veeam SureLab for testing!
I could start recommending the storage solution we use but I do not believe it's any better it's the procedure which needs to be designed and followed
eg we can restore a server in production in an instant! yes sub 1 sec!
but it still comes with a caveat which needs to be rehearsed and tested and a Procedure as above!
VMware vSphere is an excellent solution but costly licenses, Synology Hypervisor and NAS are okay, and Veeam is an excellent product.
you could use Veeam SureLab for testing!
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Which Exchange services should be set to manual before the Exchange updates are installed?
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Also for my Exchange 2019 server version, 15.2 (Build 986.5) am I able to update it to the most recent version of 2019CU11+KB5008631 Version 15.2.986.15 by simply installing the single upgrade file, or do I need to install any intermediate updates along the way?
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Yes, I completely understand what you're saying by stopping the inbound and outbound emails.
This upgrade will take place starting at 12 AM midnight on Saturday morning and everyone will be notified ahead of time about this outage while the Exchange server is patched.
So what I'm asking is exactly which Exchange services should be stopped before the Exchange update files are installed?
This upgrade will take place starting at 12 AM midnight on Saturday morning and everyone will be notified ahead of time about this outage while the Exchange server is patched.
So what I'm asking is exactly which Exchange services should be stopped before the Exchange update files are installed?
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