lucian gaspar

Hi all,

Config: Site1 (HUB, CAS, MBX1) ----- T1 -----> Site2 (HUB, CAS, MBX2), 3
SG, 1 db on each, each DB is 35GB

I know for seeding a SG you need to take it offline and copy db to the target.
Is there another way to manually seed the db without taking it offline?
Maybe with VSS or windows backup or other utilities (like hobocopy)?

Thank you

mark arnold [mvp]

Err, where did you read that?

lucian gaspar

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb738131(EXCHG.80).aspx

"You can perform seeding in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 by using the
following methods:

Automatic seeding An automatic seed produces a copy of a storage group's
database on the SCR target. Automatic seeding requires that the first log
file generated by the storage group be available on the SCR source.

Seeding using the Update-StorageGroupCopy cmdlet You can use the
Update-StorageGroupCopy cmdlet with the StandbyMachine parameter in the
Exchange Management Shell to seed an SCR target copy.

Manually copying the offline database This process dismounts the database
and copies the database file to the same location on the SCR target computer.
If you use this method, there will be an interruption in service because the
procedure requires you to dismount the database.
Note:
Some backup applications may support a mechanism to use a backup as the
source of the seed database. Restores to an SCR target are not supported. If
this option is supported, it must be explicitly and completely supported by
the backup application. "

mark arnold [mvp]

You haven't read the document properly. The punctuation is correct.
You need to read it again.

lucian gaspar

I am sorry, Mark. It seems like I am missing something and I cannot figure it
out.
Would you mind giving me a hint?

mark arnold [mvp]

I'm not sure what else I can say.
You don't HAVE to do a manual process. It's an OPTION.

lucian gaspar

I need a manual seeding because all databases have 120GB, a T1 between the
sites and I am trying to avoid taking the databases offline for a copy.

So even if a backup/restore is not supported by Microsoft, I was trying to
see if there is a way to manual seed without taking the databases offline.

Thanks

mark arnold [mvp]

Gotcha. You do need to take the store offline because you need it as a
'flat file'. Remember though, it's not going to take you very long to
copy that file to somewhere else on the server. You can mount the
store up after that and then get the file wherever it needs to be at
your leisure (well, not exactly leisure but you know what I mean)

lucian gaspar

OK, so offline we go!

Thank you, Mark

scott schnoll [msft]

Hi Lucian,

You still don't need to take the database offline to seed the copy. When
using Update-StorageGroupCopy to perform the seed, include the -TargetPath
parameter, and then specify an alternate path for the seed (for example,
another drive that is local to the source machine). Then, using whatever
means you like (e.g., file copy with or without compression, shipping a USB
disk, etc.), copy or move the data from the TargetPath you specified to the
proper folder on the SCR target (remember, the source and target paths for
the storage group files, log files and database file must match).

See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998853(EXCHG.80).aspx for
more info on Update-StorageGroupCopy.

Hope this helps.
--
Regards,

Scott Schnoll
Microsoft Corporation
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