This topic
provides information using Exchange Backup and Restore API to develop
applications for Exchange.
Introduction
The ESE backup and restore system supports backup and restore of entire
storage groups, as well as individual databases within the storage
groups. Because each storage group uses a single set of log files
covering all of the databases in the storage group, restore and recovery
operations should be done over the entire storage group.
Caveats
The backup API is based on storage groups. Currently, only one backup
per storage group is allowed at one time. There may be backups of
different storage groups occurring at the same time, but only one database
in a storage groups may be backed up at a time.
Functional Criteria
| Criteria | Exchange Backup and Restore API |
|---|
| Application Domain | Applications use this API to back up and restore Exchange storage
groups and databases. |
| Major Objects | The Exchange Backup and Restore API is a non-dual dynamic-link
library (DLL), and exposes a single interface with no objects. |
| Data access model | Applications that use this API iteratively read and write the
Exchange store data in fixed-length in-memory buffers. |
| Threading Models | To speed the backup and restore operation, it is possible to open
multiple storage groups by using multiple threads. Only one database in a
storage group can be backed up at a time. Multiple threads are
therefore only useful when you are backing up multiple storage groups.
|
| Application Architectures | Backup and Restore applications that use the Backup and Restore
API to back up Exchange 2003 storage groups typically consist of a
background service that performs the backup, a scheduling service, and
a Windows GUI application console that controls and configures the
backup and restore system.
|
| Remote Usage | Applications that use the Backup and Restore API should run only
on a computer running Exchange Server 2003 that also manages the Exchange
storage groups that are being accessed.
|
| Transactions | No. |
| Management Capabilities | Applications that use the Exchange Backup and Restore API can take
advantage of the Windows Events and performance counters provided by
Exchange.
|
| Availability | The Exchange Backup and Restore API is available on Exchange 2000
Server and Exchange Server 2003. |
Development Criteria
| Criteria | Exchange Backup and Restore API |
|---|
| Languages and Tools | The Exchange Backup and Restore API is a non-dual dynamic-link
library (DLL). For this reason, C/C++ must be used to access the
backup and restore functions. Use the Microsoft® Windows® LoadLibrary
function to load the DLL.
|
| Managed Implementation | Microsoft does not support the use of the Exchange Backup and Restore
API in a managed-code environment.
|
| Scriptable | No. |
| Test/Debug Tools | No special tools are required to debug applications that use the
Exchange Backup and Restore API. |
| Expert Availability | Finding developers who have previously programmed applications
by using the Exchange Backup and Restore API might be difficult. Because
of the nature of the Backup and Restore API, programmers with
experience creating high-reliability software are preferred.
|
| Available Information | Documentation for the Exchange Backup and Restore API is provided
in the Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003 SDKs. To browse or download the Exchange 2000 Server or Exchange Server 2003 SDK, see Microsoft Exchange Server  on MSDN.
|
| Developer / Deployment Licensing | Refer to your Exchange and MSDN subscription licensing agreements
to determine whether additional licenses are required for the Exchange
2003 servers that store the data backed up and restored by custom
applications that use the Exchange Backup and Restore API.
|
Security Criteria
| Criteria | Exchange Backup and Restore API |
|---|
| Design-Time Permissions | Applications that use the ESE backup and restore API must run
under the security context of a user that has backup and restore
privileges on both the source and destination computers.
|
| Setup Permissions | No special permissions are required to install applications that
use the Exchange Backup and Restore API. Because the applications must
run on the computer running Exchange, the account under which the
application is installed must have sufficient permission to install
software on that computer.
|
| Run-Time Permissions | Applications that use the ESE backup and restore API must run
under the security context of a user that has backup and restore
privileges on both the source and destination computers.
|
| Built-in Security Features | None. |
| Security Monitoring Features | There are no built-in security monitoring features. |
Deployment Criteria
| Criteria | Exchange Backup and Restore API |
|---|
| Server Platform Requirements | The Exchange Backup and Restore API is available with Exchange
2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003. |
| Client Platform Requirements | There are no special client requirements beyond the Exchange
Backup and Restore API core requirements. |
| Deployment Methods | Exchange Backup and Restore API applications can be installed on
server computers by using standard software distribution technologies. |
| Deployment Notes | |
