Dell PowerVault 775N Configuring Windows® Firewall to Work With Dell - Page 50

Applications and Exchange Tools Planning for the Use of Exchange Tools and Applications with the Feature Pack Exchange administrative tools and applications are used to perform database procedures that may require the transfer of data between servers and over the network. For example, data is typically transferred between the server that hosts the databases and transaction logs and either the Exchange server or a backup server. The location of a tool or application relative to remotely stored Exchange databases and transaction logs can have a great impact on the amount of data transferred across the network, and, therefore, the amount of processing time that is required. The number of network data transfers depends on what kind of operation is requested. Applications such as Backup Utility for Windows (NTBackup), which access Exchange databases and transaction logs by using an Exchange application programming interface (API), require additional network data transfers. This is especially true if such an application is run from the Windows Storage Server computer. In this situation, data must travel from the Windows Storage Server computer to the Exchange server, and then from the Exchange server back to the Windows Storage Server computer. When deciding where to place an Exchange tool or application in relation to the Exchange databases and transaction logs hosted by a Windows Storage Server computer, consider the effects of different system configurations. Select a system configuration that is most efficient for database operations. This configuration is probably one that minimizes the number of network data transfers and, in turn, the processing time that is required for database operations. For example, backup and restore operations are affected by the placement of Exchange databases in relation to the Exchange administrative tool or application, and by the addition of optional backup servers. These factors determine the number of network data transfers that are required to complete a database process. The number of required network data transfers in turn affects processing time. Table 4.1 shows the effects of three different network configurations on data transfers over the network during backup and restore operations. Configuration 1, shown in Figure 4.1, has the following components: An Exchange server running NTBackup, with an attached tape device A Windows Storage Server computer hosting the Exchange databases and transaction logs Figure 4.1 Configuration 1: Backup/Restore on Exchange Server Configuration 2, shown in Figure 4.2, has the following components: An Exchange server A Windows Storage Server computer hosting the Exchange databases and transaction logs, and running NTBackup, with an attached tape device Feature Pack Deployment Guide 50