Ways to Recover Exchange Server Database

Exchange server monitoring is essential for ensuring that the server runs smoothly at all times. However, no matter how diligently you monitor Exchange, you may face a situation where the Exchange server completely fails to boot at some point. It can occur as a result of faulty hardware or defective software.

If it's due to a hardware failure, you can replace it and restart the server. If the damage gets caused by faulty software or an operating system, you can recover Exchange Server 2007/2010/2013/2016 and restore the mailbox database by using the setup /m: RecoverServer switch. You can use Exchange Server Recovery if Setup m RecoverServer fails to restore the messages and database to the new server.

The article will demonstrate how to use the Setup /m: RecoverServer switch to recover Exchange Server. It also shows how to migrate the mailbox database from a malfunctioning or deceased Exchange server to a new server without losing data.

What is the /m: RecoveryServer Switch and what does it do?

Install /m: RecoverServer Active Directory on a Windows server. When an Exchange server fails to start, an administrator can use the Setup /m: RecoverServer switch command to create a new Exchange server with the same name and settings by leveraging Active Directory settings and information.

How do I use the /m: RecoveryServer Switch for Exchange Server Recovery?

To recover an Exchange server with Setup /m: RecoverServer, you must establish a new server with the same hardware and software configuration as the old one. In other words, the new Exchange server should be a carbon copy of the old one.

• You must obtain a server chassis and create a new Windows server instance using the same service pack and naming scheme as the previous one.
• Then, Install the same settings as the unsuccessful server.
• Make careful to use the same hardware components as the Exchange server that failed.
• The partitions and drive letters should be the same.
• Install the operating system and the antivirus software.
• Set up the Exchange server roles.
• Run the setup with the /m: RecoverServer flag to perform an Exchange server recovery installation.
• Check that all custom configurations get applied; if they haven't, re-apply.
• Connect the Exchange server to the same domain as the other computers. To begin, reset any existing computer accounts in the Active Directory.
• Install the prerequisites for the Exchange server.
• To change the directory holding Exchange setup files, open the command prompt as an administrator and use the cd command.
• Then, you need to type the following command in the command prompt window:

setup /m: RecoverServer /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms

So that's how you recover the Exchange Server Database manually. It is a time-consuming and exhausting procedure. This approach has limitations in terms of size. As a result, this is not a recommended method for recovering huge mailboxes.

A professional third-party program can help users who do not want to employ the manual method owing to its lengthy process and tediousness. There are several professional third-party programs on the market for Exchange Server Recovery.

Professional approach for Exchange Server Recovery

Shoviv Exchange Server Recovery tool exports both corrupted and uncorrupted Exchange database EDB files to PST, Office 365, and Live Exchange server. The recovered mailbox items can also get exported to Outlook PST, Live Exchange, Office 365, HTML, EML, MSG, and other formats. For the process of Exchange database recovery and migration of EDB/source mailboxes, the tool works quickly to add Exchange databases and source mailboxes.

• Exchange server recovery's advanced features make it possible to recover a corrupted Exchange database (EDB) following an exchange failure.
• It offers a flexible method for converting EDB files and source mailboxes to Outlook PST files, allowing users to access exchange databases through Outlook.
• Exchange server recovery tool features include exporting multiple EDB and source mailboxes in an Office 365 cloud environment. This tool can also map source and target mailboxes automatically and manually.
• Filter criteria allow separating EDB files and source mailboxes based on message type and item date range during exchange database recovery.
• There is an advanced search criterion in the exchange recovery database that allows you to search for items based on the following criteria: "general," "attachments," and "item attribute."
• This software converts the full Exchange mailbox, comprising emails, contacts, calendars, and other data, without affecting the folder hierarchy.
• It also allows you to create a new PST file with the option of password protection. Furthermore, users can split large PST files into a small number of PST files.
• A free demo version is available to test the product's efficiency and accuracy. The trial version allows you to convert and save up to 50 items/folders.

Wrap Up

The manual method is rarely successful, owing to Exchange mailbox database damage, which can occur when an Exchange server abruptly fails or shuts down.

To overcome database corruption, handle frequent problems with Exchange mailbox databases, and assure mailbox database recovery, you need to use software like Shoviv Exchange Server Recovery.

Exchange Migration Tool migrate Live Exchange mailboxes, Office 365 Public folders, Archive mailboxes into another Live Exchange mailboxes, Office 365 Public folders and Archive mailboxes.