Improved handling of MCDB-enabled databases by Data Protection for Microsoft Exchange Server

Data Protection for Microsoft Exchange Server works as designed in respect to restore scenarios.

But there is a challenge with exchange mailbox restores after enabling the Microsoft Exchange MetaCacheDatabase (MCDB) feature that prevents an DP4Exchange user to effectively recover exchange mailboxes.

Concerning the Microsoft Exchange MetaCacheDatabase (MCDB) feature, see the Microsoft article: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/exchange/administration/restore-database-backup-mcdb-enable

When a mailbox restore starts, dp4exc automatically runs through the process via db4exc gui: database restore - mount the database - recovery of mailboxes.

If MCDB is enabled and there is a related metacache db for indexes configured, after the restore dp4exc tries to mount the db files for 15 minutes and a error occours (Could not mount Database). the previous restored db automatically gets deleted by dp4exc and cannot be used for manual esutil run, mount or recovery of mailboxes.

 Because a db restore typically runs for multiple hours an administrator that started the restore process typically does not recognize this 15 minutes time window.

 Although a temporary workaround (Use Database restore instead of mailbox restore) exists, it is not a suitable long-term solution and does not align with the intended product functionality to recover mission critical exchange mailboxes. a user friendly process via dp4exc should not automatically execute the deletion of the database between the db restore and the mount.

Temporary workaround: Implementation of mailbox restore even if MCDB technology is in use 

Check if MCDB is enabled on Database or not

e.g. If((Get-MailboxDatabaseCopyStatus "<DatabaseName>").MetacacheDatabaseStatus -eq "Disabled"){$MCDB=0}else{$MCDB=1}

If MCDB=0 --> same process for mailbox restore as already implemented

If MCDB=1

- Restore Database into Recovery-DB Folder

- Check log prefix in restored exchange log folder (e.g. E01)

- After, run Exchange Command: Eseutil /r /d "<Path to Logfiles>" /i

- Mount restored database

Possible solution: dp4exc could generate a popup window:

• Database restored
• Database mounted
• Process paused
• Please execute manual esutil run
• Checkbox: Manual esutil finished? (The process can only be continued if checkbox is checked)
• Button: Proceed with db mount (grayed out, if checkbox is not checked)
• Button: Cancel and delete restored db