Recovering failed Exchange Server

Recovering failed Exchange Server

Exchange installs most of its configuration Data in Active Directory. In disaster recovery scenario, if you building server on new hardware(even on old hardware), then you can pull Exchange data from Active Directory using following switches during installation:

Install Windows OS on new server with same name and IP. Run Exchnage setup from CD:

For Exchange 2003
Setup /disasterrecovery

For Exchange 2007
Setup /m:RecoverServer

For Exchange 2010
Setup /m:RecoverServer

After installing server, you need to create or make drives/drive letters and folder structure as in old server for restoring storage groups. Dismount the any storage groups if exchange installation creates on new server. Restore Exchange databases from backups. Mount the databases after restoration. Generally restore task will mount databases automatically. Then server is ready and it replaces old server with new hardware.

Have a Nice Day!