How to test Exchange backups in a single server environment

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bardous

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Sep 21, 2009
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Backup Exec 12.5 has been throwing up errors about not being able to verify one email and hadn't been purging transaction logs as it should have been. Granted part of that is perhaps my fault due to the way the backups have been setup. I changed some settings so both public/private mailboxes and the information store are being backed up now

I ran an NTbackup about a week ago and it completed without any errors as far as I could tell. It of course purged the old transaction logs and I want to ensure that the backups being made through Backup Exec since then are working.

How would I go about being able to test the backups without seriously screwing something up and if possible with very little to no downtime? Some of the issues that I can already see is not being able to mount a full database due to server space issues and the big thing of being in a single server environment. There is a NAS that has plenty of space but it probably isn't a good idea to try using it.
 
Can you restore to a virtualized version? i.e. grab a spare PC, and load ESXi or HyperV on it, and then do a restore to that? Keep the networks isolated, and test functionality.
 
Nate7311 said:
Can you restore to a virtualized version? i.e. grab a spare PC, and load ESXi or HyperV on it, and then do a restore to that? Keep the networks isolated, and test functionality.
Click to expand...

How much work would I have to do before hand e.g OS configuration? Could I simply get Exchange and Backup Exec installed on the virtualized session and then attempt a database restore or as asked, would I have to also restore additional items? I'm a little new to Exchange and while I don't doubt that I could something like you recommended, I would sort of need to plan things out time wise.
 
Use the ESX physical to virtual converter. It will take your current exchange server and make some virtual hard drive(s). No config at all. You then end up with a duplicate of your current server. Mount it on a VM then proceed to break it and restore it.
 
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