Summary

Providing users with reliable and available Exchange server services is a complex task. You have to combine redundant hardware with a whole range of backup and recovery strategies and, in case the unusual should happen, disaster recovery strategies.

Hardware redundancy and mastery of backup and recovery strategies takes you a long way down the path to high server reliability and availability. It also gives you a leg up as you enter the complex world of disaster recovery. Disaster recovery strategies depend significantly on hardware redundancy and Windows and Exchange server backup and recovery strategies.

Good disaster recovery strategies and plans are based on a careful balance between organizational needs and the resources required to meet those needs. E-mail disaster recovery needs might or might not be met by an organization's non-e-mail disaster recovery strategies. When disaster recovery strategies are considered, it's most important that bosses and managers understand the benefits and disadvantages of each strategy. Whatever strategy or set of strategies is chosen, bosses and managers must have a clear set of expectations regarding what can be recovered in what time frame.

Disaster recovery strategies can range from complex and costly offsite replications of entire systems to the onsite presence of spare pieces of hardware. The mechanics of a recovery after a disaster are the easiest things to specify and carry out. Maintaining the presence of mind required to pull off a disaster recovery is not so easy, but it's just as important.