Backup and Restore - Revision history

Ltalaschus: /* Backup of External Archive Stores */

2026-01-06T16:36:01Z

Backup of External Archive Stores

Ltalaschus: /* Full Virtual Machine Snapshots */

2024-03-12T10:09:59Z

Full Virtual Machine Snapshots

Bmeyn at 08:32, 8 March 2021

2021-03-08T08:32:47Z

Bmeyn at 14:19, 19 June 2020

2020-06-19T14:19:41Z

Dweuthen: /* Notes on Integrity */

2020-05-19T12:28:50Z

Notes on Integrity

Dweuthen: /* Which Data Must be Backed Up? */

2020-05-19T10:06:27Z

Which Data Must be Backed Up?

Dweuthen: /* Automatic Restore of a Database Backup */

2020-05-19T10:05:58Z

Automatic Restore of a Database Backup

Dweuthen: /* Backup */

2020-05-19T10:02:44Z

Backup

Dweuthen: Added hint about backup rotation

2020-05-19T09:51:05Z

Added hint about backup rotation

Dweuthen at 09:45, 19 May 2020

2020-05-19T09:45:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 6 January 2026
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	=== Backup of External Archive Stores ===		=== Backup of External Archive Stores ===
		+	{{Template:SQLDeprecation}}
	External archive stores allow you to store folder information and meta data in an SQL database. Email headers and contents can be stored optionally in an SQL database as well. Search index files have to be stored in the file system.		External archive stores allow you to store folder information and meta data in an SQL database. Email headers and contents can be stored optionally in an SQL database as well. Search index files have to be stored in the file system.

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 ==== Full Virtual Machine Snapshots ====
-Some backup solutions are highly integrated into virtualization solutions and can create and backup/replicate full snapshots of virtual machines. These types of snapshots not only contain the current state of the hard disks but also of the current main memory. Thus full virtual machine snapshots can be considered as being consistent.
+Some backup solutions are highly integrated into virtualization solutions and can create and backup/replicate full snapshots of virtual machines. These types of snapshots not only contain the current state of the hard disks but also of the processor and the current main memory. Thus full virtual machine snapshots can be considered as being consistent.
 ==== Other Backup or Replication Methods ====

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 == Backup ==
 === Preliminary Considerations ===
-MailStore Server supports two methods to perform a full backup of the email archive including all user settings: the MailStore Server integrated backup feature and the use of external backup software.
+In smaller environments without a designated administrator, with the integrated backup feature no extensive configuration needs to be performed in order to make sure that the backup is successfully completed and that all pertinent data and directories are included. However, to be able to transfer the data (for example to off-site backup locations), it is necessary to integrate the backed up data into another backup solution.
 When using external backup software a successful backup needs a few preparations. On the plus side, MailStore Server data can be integrated into existing backup strategies without having to perform a separate system backup.

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 === Preliminary Considerations ===
-MailStore Server supports two methods to perform a full backup of the email archive including all user settings: the MailStore integrated backup feature and the use of external backup software.
+MailStore Server supports two methods to perform a full backup of the email archive including all user settings: the MailStore Server integrated backup feature and the use of external backup software.
 Which method suits the needs of your business best depends on your preferences as well as your system environment. In smaller environments without a designated administrator, with the integrated backup feature no extensive configuration needs to be performed in order to make sure that the backup is successfully completed and that all pertinent data and directories are included. However, to be able to transfer the data (for example to off-site backup locations), it is necessary to integrate the backed up data into another backup solution.
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 * Archive Stores
-Each archive store in MailStore consists of three components:
+Each archive store in MailStore Server consists of three components:
 * Folder information and meta data (<code>MailStoreFileGroup.fdb</code> + <code>MailStoreFileGroup.key</code>)
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 * Full text index (<code>Index</code> directory)
-'''Please note:''' As the configuration of the MailStore Server service itself (located within MailStore's program files folder), contains information specific to the current configuration of the computer where MailStore Server is installed, it it not recommended to backup and restore the service configuration data. Instead, manually reconfigure these settings after re-installing MailStore Server on a new machine. Pay special attention to the Audit Log Destination and VSS Writer settings.
+'''Please note:''' As the configuration of the MailStore Server service itself (located within MailStore Server's program files folder), contains information specific to the current configuration of the computer where MailStore Server is installed, it it not recommended to backup and restore the service configuration data. Instead, manually reconfigure these settings after re-installing MailStore Server on a new machine. Pay special attention to the Audit Log Destination and VSS Writer settings.
 ==== Notes on Consistency ====
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 ==== Notes on Integrity ====
-Irregardless of which backup method is used, only regular maintenance does  ensure that the backed up data can successfully be used after a restore. Please refer to [[Maintenance and Repair]] for further details.
+Irregardless of which backup method is used, only regular maintenance does ensure that the backed up data can successfully be used after a restore. Please refer to [[Maintenance and Repair]] for further details.
-== Using the MailStore Integrated Backup Feature ==
+== Using the MailStore Server Integrated Backup Feature ==
 MailStore has built-in technology to perform a full backup of the archive.
 The backup contains all archived emails and all settings such as profiles, users and privileges. Restoring such a backup is sufficient to completely reinstate the original archive without having to perform any further configurations.
-<p class="msnote">'''Important Notice:''' When using the integrated backup feature, MailStore only supports internal archive stores. If you are using external archive stores, you need external backup software to perform a full backup.</p>
+<p class="msnote">'''Important Notice:''' When using the integrated backup feature, MailStore Server only supports internal archive stores. If you are using external archive stores, you need external backup software to perform a full backup.</p>
 === Procedure ===
 To create a complete database backup, proceed as follows:
-* Log on to MailStore Client as MailStore administrator.
+* Log on to MailStore Client as MailStore Server administrator.
 * Click on ''Administrative Tools > Management API > Jobs''.
 * Click on ''Storage'' and select ''Create Backup''.
 *: [[File:Jobs_create_backup_01.png|center|450px]]
 * Enter the ''target directory''.
-*: '''Please note:''' If the target directory is a network share, make sure  that the MailStore Server service has access to that share.  The path to the network share has to be entered in UNC notation, e.g. \\computer\sharename. Further information is available in the [[Using Network Attached Storage (NAS)]] article.
+*: '''Please note:''' If the target directory is a network share, make sure that the MailStore Server service has access to that share. The path to the network share has to be entered in UNC notation, e.g. \\computer\sharename. Further information is available in the [[Using Network Attached Storage (NAS)]] article.
 * The search indexes can be excluded optionally.
 *: '''Please note:''' This option can be set so that administrators which have access to the backup files cannot access the unencrypted search index files. When restoring backups that do not include search indexes, the search indexes have to be [[Search_Indexes#Rebuilding_Search_Indexes|rebuilt]].
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 == Using External Backup Software ==
-=== Backup of Internal  Archive Stores ===
+=== Backup of Internal Archive Stores ===
 When backing up internal archive stores with an external backup software, attention must be payed to the consistency of data which mainly depends on the backup method. The following sections summarize the pros and cons of the different methods.
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 In order to create consistent backups with file based backup tools, it is required to either freeze and thaw MailStore Server via <tt>net pause mailstoreserver</tt> and <tt>net continue mailstoreserver</tt> commands or to shutdown and restart the MailStore Server via <tt>net stop mailstoreserver</tt> and <tt>net start mailstoreserver</tt> commands.
-As MailStore Server must remain shut down for the time of the backup, this typically results in downtimes during which MailStore is neither able to archive new email nor provide end user access to the archived data.
+As MailStore Server must remain shut down for the time of the backup, this typically results in downtimes during which MailStore Server is neither able to archive new email nor provide end user access to the archived data.
 ==== Storage Snapshots ====
 When using Volume Shadow Copy Services (VSS) or other methods of creating snapshots on storage level, it is necessary to ensure that all files are closed before the snapshot is created.
-The MailStore Server service provides external backup software using Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service with a so-called Volume Shadow Copy Service Writer (VSS Writer). The external backup software can use it to create consistent backups of the MailStore master database and all internal archive stores. Whether this method succeeds, however, largely depends on the backup software and the storage that is used. The VSS Writer has to be activated in the [[MailStore_Server_Service_Configuration|MailStore Server Service Configuration]].
+The MailStore Server service provides external backup software using Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service with a so-called Volume Shadow Copy Service Writer (VSS Writer). The external backup software can use it to create consistent backups of the MailStore Server master database and all internal archive stores. Whether this method succeeds, however, largely depends on the backup software and the storage that is used. The VSS Writer has to be activated in the [[MailStore_Server_Service_Configuration|MailStore Server Service Configuration]].
-To verify if the appropriate VSS events were initiated in MailStore during a backup, open the application protocol in the Windows event viewer and search for the following events:
+To verify if the appropriate VSS events were initiated in MailStore Server during a backup, open the application protocol in the Windows event viewer and search for the following events:
 # ''A backup session has been started.''
 # ''The archive has been frozen as a reaction on the OnPrepareSnapshot event.''
-# ''The archive has been thawn as a reaction on the OnThaw event.  ''
+# ''The archive has been thawn as a reaction on the OnThaw event.''
 # ''The backup session has been shut down.''
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 === Automatic Restore of a Database Backup ===
-MailStore creates two files in the backup destination when creating a backup which allow an automatic full restore of the archive in its original storage location. Should the backup be restored to a different storage location or if only parts (i.e. a single archive store) should be restored, the restore procedure must be performed manually (see next section).
+MailStore Server creates two files in the backup destination when creating a backup which allow an automatic full restore of the archive in its original storage location. Should the backup be restored to a different storage location or if only parts (i.e. a single archive store) should be restored, the restore procedure must be performed manually (see next section).
 An operative installation of MailStore Server is required to restore a database backup. Please proceed as follows:
@@ Line 118: / Line 118: @@
 *: '''Note:''' Is the file located on a network share, e.g. \\nas01\MailStoreBackup, you first have to crate a mapped drive of that share, e.g. ''N:'', and then execute the file on that drive.
 * Follow the on-screen instructions. Carefully check the output for possible error messages.
-* Run the [[MailStore_Server_Service_Configuration|MailStore Server Service Configuration tool]] from the MailStore program folder in the Windows start menu.
+* Run the [[MailStore_Server_Service_Configuration|MailStore Server Service Configuration tool]] from the MailStore Server program folder in the Windows start menu.
 * Click ''Browse...'' under ''General > Master Database'' and select the restore directory which contains the ''MailStoreMaster.fdb'' file. Confirm the selection by clicking ''OK''.
 * Finally start the MailStore Server Service again.

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ==== Notes on Integrity ====
-Irregardless of which backup method is used, only regular maintenance does  ensure that the backed up data can be successfully restored. Please refer to [[Maintenance and Repair]] for further details.
+Irregardless of which backup method is used, only regular maintenance does  ensure that the backed up data can successfully be used after a restore. Please refer to [[Maintenance and Repair]] for further details.
 == Using the MailStore Integrated Backup Feature ==

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 === Which Data Must be Backed Up? ===
-To ensure a successful and frictionless restore at any time, the following data must be included in the backup:
+To ensure a successful and frictionless restore of MailStore Server at any time, the following data must be included in the backup:
 * Master Database (MailStoreMaster.fdb), which contains all configuration settings, like profiles, users, etc.

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 * Stop the MailStore Server Service and delete the empty archive that has been created during installation in ''C:\MailArchive''.
 * Next execute the file ''restore.bat'' from the backup directory.
 *: '''Note:''' Is the file located on a network share, e.g. \\nas01\MailStoreBackup, you first have to crate a mapped drive of that share, e.g. ''N:'', and then execute the file on that drive.

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 If necessary, run the job manually in order to verify that MailStore Server is able to create a backup without errors.
-When running the backup function for the first time, all files will be copied, after that only changed files will be copied.
+When running the backup function for the first time, all files will be copied, after that only changed files will be copied. To achieve rotation of backups (e.g. daily, weekly), schedule multiple backup jobs with different target directories.
 <p class="msnote">'''Please note:''' The archive cannot be accessed while a backup is in progress. Trying to access the archive will generate the error message ''The server is currently not available due to maintenance.''</p>

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 While ''folder information and meta data'' and ''email headers and contents'' are to be treated as one unit that requires consistency, ''full text indexes'' can be reconstructed if needed. In environments with higher security demands, and depending on the backup target, it may be advisable to exclude the unencrypted full text indexes from the backup for the costs have having to fully rebuild them in case of a restore.
-'''Please note:''' As the configuration of the MailStore Server service itself (located within MailStore's program files folder), contains information specific to the current configuration of the computer where MailStore Server is installed, it it not recommended to backup and restore that data.
+'''Please note:''' As the configuration of the MailStore Server service itself (located within MailStore's program files folder), contains information specific to the current configuration of the computer where MailStore Server is installed, it it not recommended to backup and restore the service configuration data. Instead, manually reconfigure these settings after re-installing MailStore Server on a new machine. Pay special attention to the audit log destination and VSS Writer settings.
 == Using the MailStore Integrated Backup Feature ==