E-Mail Backup Processes

Exchange Backup and Recovery

Exchange is client-server based messaging system, which uses single message instance in a database storage environment. This means that all messages for all users are stored within a single database, which is backed up on nightly basis.

We perform backups of the Exchange system exclusively for disaster recovery purposes in the event that we need to rebuild the Exchange system. Exchange does not provide for a single mailbox recovery; it is a single database storage system. Recovery of a mailbox would require rebuilding the Exchange system onto an alternate system and the restoration of the database for all users. 

Exchange backups are not incremental, but are snapshots of the messaging database at the time of the backup cycle. Database snapshots are copied to tape and kept for 30 days. After 30 days, the tapes are recycled and the contents are overwritten.

Bearcat Online Backup and Recovery

Bearcat Online is client-server based messaging system, which uses single message instance in a database storage environment. All messages for all users are stored within a single database, which is backed up on nightly basis. Backups of the Bearcat Online system are performed exclusively for disaster recovery purposes in the event that we need to rebuild the Bearcat Online system. Bearcat Online does not provide for a single mailbox recovery.

Bearcat Online backups are not incremental, but are snapshots of the messaging database at the time of the backup cycle. Database backups are kept for 14 days before the tapes are recycled and the contents are overwritten.