Computer Performance, Exchange 2003

 

 

Microsoft Exchange 2003 - Crash Cart

Introduction to Exchange 2003 - Crash Cart

Excuse me, do you have a minute?  If you have a slack half hour then consider putting together a disaster recovery Crash Cart.  Here is a project that will repay handsomely when ever you have a disaster.  My idea is to assemble all the bits and pieces that you need should an Exchange 2003 server crash or be stolen.

Topics for Exchange 2003 - Crash Cart

Disaster Recovery Software

Exchange 2003 CDs, Windows Server 2003 CDs.  Also the CD keys.

Backup tapes.

More CDs with the backup software itself, also Anti-Virus programs.

Service Packs SP1. Firmware upgrades.

What other software could you add? .......................................


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Spare Hardware

Disks,  Network Cards, Extra RAM sticks, Power Supplies, Leads (various).

Spare Machine - Laptop or perhaps a basic 'shuttle' server.

Screw drivers.  Soldering Iron.

What other hardware could you add? .......................................

Keep adding bits to the crash cart.  When you have a spare few minutes, or if you have keen junior engineer with time on their hands, feed the cart with goodies.  Your efforts will repay with interest when there is a disaster to recover from.   In my mind's eye the crash cart is an old supermarket trolley with three compartments:

Documentation for Disaster Recovery

Procedures: Who does what?  Where are the backups tapes kept?

Black book: Passwords, phone numbers of suppliers, web site addresses.

Manuals: various.

What other documents would you need? .......................................

Where to store the crash cart?

In my vision the crash cart always stored in a locked cupboard under the stairs.  However, storage is tricky, it has to be accessible, but you don't want the crash cart to be destroyed in the disaster.  Hmm... perhaps you need two crash carts, one stored offsite along with backup tapes.

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Summary

Prepare for that disaster recovery day.  If you take up this Crash Cart idea, do make sure that you regularly update the software, the hardware, and most of all - the documents.


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Lots of tips, recommendations and troubleshooting advice.  Printer friendly pages in both PDF and Word format.

 

See Also

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