BKF recovery using VSS backup mechanism

The MS Exchange Server is a crucial application of an organization. It manages large number of file transfers on daily basis. Some of the files are highly important and hence it is expected that admin of Exchange will preserve it properly. But it is not the sole responsibility of admin to backup the important files as he may not be aware of all the important files. Hence user also maintain backup of files at their end in-order to tackle emergency situations. It is normal tendency of the user to ignore the importance of backup process in normal situations. But the soft data is highly sensitive and there are many reasons that can lead to the corruption or loss of data. Hence it is wise to maintain backup of important files at regular interval of time.

There are various techniques by which user can backup his data. In this article we will learn about VSS method for creating backup files. The VSS stands for Volume Shadow Copy Service, the Exchange admin must keep few aspects while using this mechanism. The precise VSS writer must be used for the backup process. The VSS writer of Exchange restores the data to original location which lessens the chances of an error. The backed up data must not be expected to complete until the backup application has completed integrity verification.

Let us understand VSS backup points used in VSS backup mechanism in broad manner. It is advisable to use Microsoft VSS integration method because it is fully automated and transparent and it does not require any agent to deploy, configure, update and monitor. The VSS mechanism provides direct support to the transaction logs processing. In-order to restore data in authentic and actual position user must keep following points in their mind:

•  The mailbox stores must be dismounted while Exchange VSS Writer boots up Exchange VM.
• The VSS snapshots must be used for the restoration process by the Exchange VSS Writer.
•  After all the process completes the user must mount the mailbox stores.

The last point considered is to verify the process of Backup. The SureBackup Recovery application is suitable for the required task. The above was the technique by which user can maintain backup of data, however there is one more common way for the task known as NTBackup.

User feels secure and confident when he has backup of his important data. But suppose a situation when the specific file on the system got corrupted. But he is not worried as he is assured that he has backup of that file. Now suppose unfortunately when he tries to open his backup files he finds it in inaccessible condition. This means his crucial backup files are also gone corrupted and became inaccessible. User must find himself in a helpless situation, but need not to worry as there are various solutions available which can pull him out from this trouble. There are many backup files or BKF files recovery tool available in the market.

However Microsoft provides a free utility known as NTBackupRestore_86, to recover the corrupt and inaccessible BKF files. But there are numerous occasions when user finds the mentioned application getting failed to perform the required task. In that case the only option left to user is to go for third party BKF recovery tool. Following are the few tools which can be considered by the user of the specific task:

• Stellar BKF recovery tool.
• DataNumen BKF repair.