Before you perform specific backup procedures, you need to determine the appropriate backup type and rotation schedule for the various types of data (Windows files, Exchange databases, SRS databases, and so on) you want to back up.
For example, a common rotation schedule for creating a Windows backup set might include a Normal backup of the server's System State data and boot and system partitions performed once a month, and an Incremental or Differential backup of the server's System State data and boot partitions performed weekly.
You should use two backup media sets in your backup library, alternating between each backup media set each month. Using two backup media sets provides fault tolerance if one set fails.
To further increase fault tolerance, you should also store one backup media set in a separate location.

When determining backup types and rotation schedules, consider the time requirements for restoring all of the data on your server (restore processes usually take longer than backup processes). You should also consider the amount of time it takes to prepare the new server prior to restoring backups.

For more information about selecting backup types and suggested rotations for non-Exchange database information, see Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit.

Note To locate the Microsoft Information Store options that are referred to in this section,

1. In Backup, in the console tree, expand Microsoft Exchange Server,
2. Expand the server you want, and then expand Microsoft Information Store.

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
• Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Standard Edition
• Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition
• Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition
• Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server