Transferring Exchange's .ost files from one machine to a different one

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L. D. James - 11 May 2007 15:22 GMT

After rebuilding a new computer we would like to backup the outlook
data files from the exchange server to place on the new computer.
There are some difference between the new computer name and location
from the original name and location.

All the shared files are simple. However, to bring over the outlook
calendar, contacts, notes, and tasks is doesn't seem to be as easy.
We did an NTBackup of the Microsoft Exchange Server's Microsoft
Information Store/First Storage Group. Being a novice I thought that
would be where the calendar, contacts, notes and tasks would be. The
other computer has a different name under the Microsoft Exchange
Server and will not accept the restore.

I'm familiar with the .pst files for Outlook. It's simple to copy
a .pst file from one computer to the next and use it as the Outlook
data and not skip a beat. However, I don't know specifically how to
locate the .ost files and put them into a new location. I believe
that's basically what I'm trying to do.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to approach this? Also, can
someone tell me where the .ost files for exchange is actually stored?

Thanks a lot for any comments on this.

-- L. D. James

----------------------
L. D. James
ljames@apollo3.com
www.apollo3.com/~ljames

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Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] - 13 May 2007 15:25 GMT

> After rebuilding a new computer

Sounds like you mean server, not computer...

> we would like to backup the outlook
> data files from the exchange server to place on the new computer.

There are no Outlook data files on an Exchange server. Exchange stores its
data in database files.

> There are some difference between the new computer name and location
> from the original name and location.

You can't restore or use your Exchange databases on a server with a
different name, or in a different domain ...
Presuming you're using Exchange 2k/2003, see
http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Exchange-2003-Backup-Restore-NTBACKUP.html
for info on how to back up and restore Exchange data.

> All the shared files are simple. However, to bring over the outlook
> calendar, contacts, notes, and tasks is doesn't seem to be as easy.
> We did an NTBackup of the Microsoft Exchange Server's Microsoft
> Information Store/First Storage Group. Being a novice I thought that
> would be where the calendar, contacts, notes and tasks would be.

They are, but they can't just be opened (unless you have third party tools
such as Quest's Recovery Manager for Exchange, which is a very handy thing
to have & may be what you need now)
If you have a full backup of your entire server (the whole thing, including
system state, all partitions, and online Exchange backups) you may be able
to get back to where you were.

> The
> other computer has a different name under the Microsoft Exchange
> Server and will not accept the restore.

See the above link for info (and explanation).

> I'm familiar with the .pst files for Outlook. It's simple to copy
> a .pst file from one computer to the next and use it as the Outlook
> data and not skip a beat. However, I don't know specifically how to
> locate the .ost files and put them into a new location. I believe
> that's basically what I'm trying to do.

No.... OST files are a mirror of an Exchange mailbox, created when you
enable cached mode in OL2003/2007, or manually configure offline folders in
older versions. They're permanently linked to the mailbox, and the mail
profile, in which they were created. They aren't meant to be used for
disaster recovery; they are rebuilt/recreated when you configure a new
Outlook profile toaccess the (available, and online) mailbox in Exchange. If
you have 'orphaned' OST files, there are some conversion tools out there,
but they generally are not cheap, and aren't the way I'd go.

> Can anyone give me some advice on how to approach this? Also, can
> someone tell me where the .ost files for exchange is actually stored?

You might want to do some reading -
http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/The_Exchange_Server_2000_Database_Structure_
Its_always_a_rainy_day_when_youre_doing_restorations.html
...explains how Exchange works.

I suggest you review the above and try posting in
microsoft.public.exchange.admin for more help - it isn't clear exactly what
you've done, and whether you're using an entirely new AD domain now, which
complicates things further if so. If you aren't very familiar with AD, and
with Exchange, you might consider engaging a consultant to help you out with
this and see if they can get you back on track - and maybe have them show
you how to do basic admin tasks & understand the technology you're using, so
you don't paint yourself into a corner again. I'm not sure what your
reasons were for making this change to begin with, but you should be very
careful before undertaking something like this in the future - I mean this
kindly.

> Thanks a lot for any comments on this.
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> ljames@**dontputvalidemailaddressesinnewsgroupposts!
> www.apollo3.com/~ljames

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L. D. James - 30 May 2007 01:09 GMT

On May 13, 10:25 am, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<lanwe...@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmail.atyahoo.com> wrote:

> > Can anyone give me some advice on how to approach this? Also, can
> > someone tell me where the .ost files forexchangeis actually stored?
>
> You might want to do some reading -http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/The_Exchange_Server_2000_Database...
> ...explains howExchangeworks.

Thanks for the link, doing lots of reading so that my next questions
will be more academic.

> I suggest you review the above and try posting in
> microsoft.public.exchange.admin for more help - it isn't clear exactly what
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> careful before undertaking something like this in the future - I mean this
> kindly.

I'm not in the corner yet. I was safely creating a clone of the
original server to attempt to have operational before making any
significant changes. I'm sure once the "playground" clone is
operating sufficiently, I'll string practicing trying to migrate the
data to that machine. I can start the playground machine from the
bottom a number of times to insure that I can easily bring it up when
the time comes to switch them. Also, the main machine will remain
operational until it's successfully replaced.

I'm green, but very careful and a fast learner.

Thanks a lot for the references. They are filling in the missing
links I was having. The matter is very complex for me at this time,
but it's sinking in.

-- L. James

---------------
L. D. James
ljames@apollo3.com
www.apollo3.com/~ljames

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