Reliability Enhancements in Exchange Server 2003

In addition to the enhancements in Windows Server 2003 that improve the functionality of Exchange 2003, there are several new enhancements added to Exchange 2003 specifically to improve messaging reliability. These enhancements include long-awaited tools for mailbox and database recoverability. The tools provide simple mail message and mailbox folder recovery to complete recovery of deleted or damaged mailboxes.

Simplifying Mailbox Recovery Using Integrated Tools

One of the major enhancements added to Exchange 2003 is the Mailbox Recovery Center, shown in Figure 1.4. This tool provides mail administrators the ability to recover a mailbox of individual users that might have been accidentally deleted or corrupted. The mailbox recovery tool is integrated directly in the Exchange System Manager administration tool, making it easy for administrators to provide mailbox recovery assistance to users in the organization.

Figure 1.4. Mailbox Recovery Center in Exchange 2003.

The mailbox recovery tool and other disaster recovery tips and techniques are covered in Chapter 32.

Leveraging Recovery Storage Group Functionality

Any disaster recovery and system reliability plan includes techniques to plan, prepare, and implement system and data recovery. Exchange 2003 introduces the concept of a recovery storage group that is used as a spare data location where information can be recovered. The recovery storage group prepares the Exchange system for the capability of restoring and recovering mailboxes. Chapter 32 presents more details on the implementation of a recovery storage group.