Exchange supports multiple databases and storage groups on the same server. This support permits you to split a single logical database into multiple physical databases. You can back up and restore these smaller physical databases much faster than larger databases. Additionally, you can help improve overall system reliability by using multiple physical databases because you can restore an individual database from a backup while other databases continue to service client requests.

Make sure that Exchange database files have different file names. Having two stores with same database names will cause errors after the restore if both of those stores are being restored at the same time.
For example, if First Storage Group has two Mailbox Stores and both of them have database files named "Priv1.edb" and "Priv1.stm," this problem will occur if both of those stores are backed up and restored at the same time.

Additionally, make sure that multiple databases in the same Storage Group are uniquely named. Otherwise, during a restore process of the whole Storage Group, the associated patch files will be generated with the same file name and will be overwritten. This will cause the restore to fail.

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