SBS2k, exchange backup to clear logs

All,

Have SBS2k site where data is growing quite quickly at present..
Have had to alter the backup to NOT include Exchange, as it had hit the
limits of the 40GB tapes, even with compression.
SO.. Have another set of tapes on order, as I believe Exchange could be
backed up during the day, as it can backup whilst running (using Backup
Exec).
Data backup will run overnight, then the User will swap out the tape for
the Exchange backup to run.. Tape for next evenings data backup will go
in after lunch.

As long as they get into a routine, it should be fine.

However, I could do with clearing the logs which are building, as
Exchange is not being backed up.
Is there a way to clear the logs without a backup?
Or, can I run a 'fast and dirty' fix by using ntbackup to do a backup to
a USB connected disk to cause the logs to be cleared?
If the latter, what are the switches on the ntbackup command?

TIA,
Phil Partridge
philp@pebbleGRIT.demon.co.uk
Remove the grit to reply

John
Tue Sep 27 20:17:45 CDT 2005

If have a USB Drive I would just use this device for a temporary location to
clear your Transaction Logs. You can use Backup Exec to back up Disk to
Folders option in you Device Media. Simply add the USB drive as Disk to
Folder and run a backup of your Exchange Databases.

--
John Oliver, Jr.
MCSE, MCT, CCNA, Exchange MVP
Microsoft Certified Partner

"Phil Partridge" <philp@pebble.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:s2rCHAAaNSODFwBh@pebble.demon.co.uk...
> All,
>
> Have SBS2k site where data is growing quite quickly at present..
> Have had to alter the backup to NOT include Exchange, as it had hit the
> limits of the 40GB tapes, even with compression.
> SO.. Have another set of tapes on order, as I believe Exchange could be
> backed up during the day, as it can backup whilst running (using Backup
> Exec).
> Data backup will run overnight, then the User will swap out the tape for
> the Exchange backup to run.. Tape for next evenings data backup will go
> in after lunch.
>
> As long as they get into a routine, it should be fine.
>
> However, I could do with clearing the logs which are building, as
> Exchange is not being backed up.
> Is there a way to clear the logs without a backup?
> Or, can I run a 'fast and dirty' fix by using ntbackup to do a backup to
> a USB connected disk to cause the logs to be cleared?
> If the latter, what are the switches on the ntbackup command?
>
> TIA,
> Phil Partridge
> philp@pebbleGRIT.demon.co.uk
> Remove the grit to reply

Duncan
Wed Sep 28 20:53:54 CDT 2005

In article <s2rCHAAaNSODFwBh@pebble.demon.co.uk>,
philp@pebble.demon.co.uk says...
> All,
>
> Have SBS2k site where data is growing quite quickly at present..
> Have had to alter the backup to NOT include Exchange, as it had hit the
> limits of the 40GB tapes, even with compression.
> SO.. Have another set of tapes on order, as I believe Exchange could be
> backed up during the day, as it can backup whilst running (using Backup
> Exec).
> Data backup will run overnight, then the User will swap out the tape for
> the Exchange backup to run.. Tape for next evenings data backup will go
> in after lunch.
>
> As long as they get into a routine, it should be fine.
>
> However, I could do with clearing the logs which are building, as
> Exchange is not being backed up.
> Is there a way to clear the logs without a backup?
> Or, can I run a 'fast and dirty' fix by using ntbackup to do a backup to
> a USB connected disk to cause the logs to be cleared?
> If the latter, what are the switches on the ntbackup command?

Further to what John said, you could just backup to file. NTBackup can
easily backup Exchange from it's "front page" - the Wizard page. Do a
file backup (anywhere) - and yer logs will be reduced.

--
Duncan

Applebaum
Wed Sep 28 21:08:22 CDT 2005

I thought that when you do an "Exchange Aware" backup, it flushes the logs,
no? Are you talking about the daily logs, or the transactional logs?


"Phil Partridge" <philp@pebble.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:s2rCHAAaNSODFwBh@pebble.demon.co.uk...
> All,
>
> Have SBS2k site where data is growing quite quickly at present..
> Have had to alter the backup to NOT include Exchange, as it had hit the
> limits of the 40GB tapes, even with compression.
> SO.. Have another set of tapes on order, as I believe Exchange could be
> backed up during the day, as it can backup whilst running (using Backup
> Exec).
> Data backup will run overnight, then the User will swap out the tape for
> the Exchange backup to run.. Tape for next evenings data backup will go
> in after lunch.
>
> As long as they get into a routine, it should be fine.
>
> However, I could do with clearing the logs which are building, as
> Exchange is not being backed up.
> Is there a way to clear the logs without a backup?
> Or, can I run a 'fast and dirty' fix by using ntbackup to do a backup to
> a USB connected disk to cause the logs to be cleared?
> If the latter, what are the switches on the ntbackup command?
>
> TIA,
> Phil Partridge
> philp@pebbleGRIT.demon.co.uk
> Remove the grit to reply

Phil
Thu Sep 29 01:58:24 CDT 2005

In article <O16d#pJxFHA.720@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl>, Applebaum
<mappleNOSPAM@inch.com> writes
>I thought that when you do an "Exchange Aware" backup, it flushes the logs,
>no? Are you talking about the daily logs, or the transactional logs?
>
This is where I show my ignorance!
The 'original' backup job did all the data, and Exchange. when the
backup did not run (for whatever reason) the amount of free space would
start to decrease more rapidly, due to the 'logs' not being flushed.
Recently, they have hit the end-stops for the 40GB (native) AIT2 tapes.
So, to get 'something' backed up, a job to backup the data has been
created. They are now baulking at the cost of a second set of tapes, and
the free disk space is creeping down.
I want to do 'whatever' to minimise this.

I the medium term, they need more disk space. From memory, they have
three physical disks. A 'C' partition of about 6.5GB, which is 'full'
(800MB free). And a 'E' (data) partition of about 65GB, of which 16GB is
free. - Pagefile on the data partition.
Have discussed this before, and I know the machine is struggling with
this.

Supplemental question: What is the official word on support life for
SBS2k?


Thanks all,
Phil Partridge.

>
>"Phil Partridge" <philp@pebble.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:s2rCHAAaNSODFwBh@pebble.demon.co.uk...
>> All,
>>
>> Have SBS2k site where data is growing quite quickly at present..
>> Have had to alter the backup to NOT include Exchange, as it had hit the
>> limits of the 40GB tapes, even with compression.
>> SO.. Have another set of tapes on order, as I believe Exchange could be
>> backed up during the day, as it can backup whilst running (using Backup
>> Exec).
>> Data backup will run overnight, then the User will swap out the tape for
>> the Exchange backup to run.. Tape for next evenings data backup will go
>> in after lunch.
>>
>> As long as they get into a routine, it should be fine.
>>
>> However, I could do with clearing the logs which are building, as
>> Exchange is not being backed up.
>> Is there a way to clear the logs without a backup?
>> Or, can I run a 'fast and dirty' fix by using ntbackup to do a backup to
>> a USB connected disk to cause the logs to be cleared?
>> If the latter, what are the switches on the ntbackup command?
>>
>> TIA,
>> Phil Partridge
>> philp@pebbleGRIT.demon.co.uk
>> Remove the grit to reply
>
>

Phil Partridge
philp@pebbleGRIT.demon.co.uk
Remove the grit to reply