Microsoft Exchange Server

Zmanda Pro provides comprehensive backup capabilities for Microsoft Exchange Server databases through Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) technology. This functionality supports Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 through Exchange Server 2019 and later versions.

Prerequisites and Requirements

Exchange Server backup requires the appropriate VSS writer to be installed and operational. Since Exchange Server operates exclusively on Windows Server editions, this backup type is only available when Zmanda Pro runs on Windows Server environments.

Important considerations:

• Certain Exchange Server backup operations trigger log truncation on the server. Consult Microsoft's official Exchange Server documentation for detailed information.

• When circular logging is enabled, Incremental and Differential backup types provide limited benefits.

Exchange Server 2007 Configuration

Exchange Server 2007 installations do not enable the VSS writer by default. You may encounter this configuration unless another backup solution has previously activated the writer.

Troubleshooting VSS Writer Issues

If you receive error messages such as "Couldn't find Exchange Server installation on this device" or "Failed to perform VSS snapshot," the Exchange VSS writer (MSExchangeIS) likely requires activation.

To verify VSS writer status:

• Run vssadmin list writers and check for "Microsoft Exchange Writer"

• Or browse for "Application Aware Writer" Protected Items in Zmanda Pro

To activate the Exchange VSS writer:

1. Open Registry Editor and navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS\ParametersSystem

2. Change the "Disable Exchange Writer" value from 1 to 0

3. Restart the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service

For additional details, reference Microsoft's documentation here.

Exchange Server Data Restoration

Zmanda Pro captures complete Exchange Server snapshots including EDB files, transaction logs (.log/.stm/*.chk), and associated system files. You have multiple restoration approaches depending on your recovery requirements.

Complete Database Restoration

This method replaces the entire Exchange database and is optimal for disaster recovery scenarios.

Process:

1. Dismount the Exchange Server Store through the Exchange Server console

2. Replace existing files with restored versions from Zmanda Pro

3. Ensure file paths match the original configuration—transaction logs contain embedded paths to EDB and STM files

4. If the backup originated from a different location, use Exchange Server's "Move database" feature to update path references

5. Mount the Exchange Server Store

Recovery Database Implementation

Mount the restored EDB as a Recovery Database (RDB) for selective data extraction without affecting the production environment.

Applications:

• Connect Outlook directly to the recovery database

• Use PowerShell's New-MailboxRestoreRequest command for PST mailbox extraction

• Access specific mailboxes or messages for targeted recovery

Consult Microsoft's Recovery Database documentation.

Third-Party EDB Extraction

Leverage specialized applications to extract granular content from EDB files, including individual messages, contacts, and mailbox items.

Available solutions include:

• Stellar Exchange recovery tools (Converter for EDB, Repair for Exchange, Toolkit for Exchange)

• Quest Recovery Manager for Exchange

• Kernel Exchange EDB Viewer

• SysTools Exchange EDB Viewer

This approach provides maximum flexibility for selective data recovery without impacting your production Exchange environment.