ARCServe bricks-level backup fails (MAPI problem)

[Guest]

My ARCServe BrightStore backup software will no longer perform a bricks-level
backup (information store backup works fine). The bricks-level backup uses
MAPI functions where the information store backup does not. The ARCServe tech
support finally determined the problem is with my Exchange 2000 server and
not their software. The only change I made to my network recently is I
upgraded my Windows 2000 domain to a Windows 2003 domain using domainprep and
forestprep because I wanted to upgrade only my domain controllers to Windows
2003. My Exchange 2000 server is sitting on a Windows 2000 Server with
Windows 2000 Server SP4. Exchange 2000 has Exchange Server 2000 SP3 with the
post-SP3 August 2004 rollup installed. My App Log on my Exchange server shows
"An unexpected MAPI error occurred: 0X80040154. Also ProfMan2 shows a
MAPI_E_NOT_FOUND. Any thoughts?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

My ARCServe BrightStore backup software will no longer perform a
bricks-level backup (information store backup works fine). The
bricks-level backup uses MAPI functions where the information store
backup does not. The ARCServe tech support finally determined the
problem is with my Exchange 2000 server and not their software. The
only change I made to my network recently is I upgraded my Windows
2000 domain to a Windows 2003 domain using domainprep and forestprep
because I wanted to upgrade only my domain controllers to Windows
2003. My Exchange 2000 server is sitting on a Windows 2000 Server
with Windows 2000 Server SP4. Exchange 2000 has Exchange Server 2000
SP3 with the post-SP3 August 2004 rollup installed. My App Log on my
Exchange server shows "An unexpected MAPI error occurred: 0X80040154.
Also ProfMan2 shows a MAPI_E_NOT_FOUND. Any thoughts?

Hi - this is a Microsoft Outlook newsgroup, and as your question is about
Exchange, not Outlook, you should post in a more relevant group. Try
m.p.exchange.admin - it gets a lot of traffic.

That said, brick-level backup is not highly regarded by most. You should be
doing a full online backup of Exchange - and if you do want to use
brick-level in addition to that, make sure you're aware that it sucks up
lots of tape & time, is useless for disaster recovery, doesn't purge
committed transaction logs as online store backup does, and frequently
causes problems during restores (esp. with calendars).

To be honest, I have not been happy with Computer Associates support in the
past and don't think it's improved since I last ditched their ___
software....but the issue is indeed most likely with their software, or your
configuration of same. I suspect they're telling you it's your Exchange
server's problem because they don't know what the problem is. Sony VAIO
support often tells you that you need to reinstall your OS from the recovery
disk before they'll talk to you about a teensy problem, too. Passing the
buck.

It's always been a huge PITA to set up the agent for brick-level ...and I'd
avoid it.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, I realized I was in the wrong newsgroup after I posted my inquiry. That
being said, my bricks-level backup is only part of my overall backup plan
with its primary purpose being the ability to readily restore individual
mailboxes without having to restore the entire information store (as
previously stated my information store is backed up also). Anyway, when one
day it works and the next it doesn't -that's a problem. Due to the nature of
my client's business, they demand the capability to quickly restore deleted
"high-priority" mailboxes and that brings me back to where I am now -unable
to perform my bricks level backup.
And you're right, the folks at CA Support are not the brightest bunch but I
had to start somewhere... If I cannot find someone savvy enough in these
newsgroups to assist me with my problem then I guess I will have to shell out
the $245 to MS for their expertise.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Yeah, I realized I was in the wrong newsgroup after I posted my
inquiry.

Did you also post in an Exchange group after that?

That being said, my bricks-level backup is only part of my
overall backup plan with its primary purpose being the ability to
readily restore individual mailboxes without having to restore the
entire information store (as previously stated my information store
is backed up also).

I missed that, sorry. It sometimes helps to separate your post into multiple
paragraphs - easier to read.

Anyway, when one day it works and the next it
doesn't -that's a problem.

Yes, and one of the worst kinds.

Due to the nature of my client's business,
they demand the capability to quickly restore deleted "high-priority"
mailboxes

NB: You don't need brick level just for that. Configure deleted mailbox
retention in addition to deleted item retention. Also, don't really delete
mailboxes when you're asked to - just change the SMTP address to something
bogus and hide the mailbox for a *good long time*.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q813337 may help, if
you haven't seen it.

< and that brings me back to where I am now -unable to
perform my bricks level backup.
And you're right, the folks at CA Support are not the brightest bunch
but I had to start somewhere... If I cannot find someone savvy enough
in these newsgroups to assist me with my problem then I guess I will
have to shell out the $245 to MS for their expertise.

You may need to, yes - that said, are you running all the requisite CA
patches for Arcserve & the agent?