We have an 2 node Exchange 2007 CCR cluster built on Windows 2008 Server x64. This was built by consultants and we have been experiencing duplicate backups for the Active and passive node when selecting Disaster Recovery files. What we discovered is that the consultants actually marked two of the three shared/clustered drives as Active partitions so when the backup software looks for system drives they get returned as needing to be backed up. I don't think they need to be Active. What I need to know is, can I use Diskpart to mark these partitions - not the C:\ system partition - as InActive without any issue or impact to the CCR cluster and replication?

Hi there,Are you sure it's a CCR cluster? CCR doesn't use Shared Storage so it's a little confusing.OliverOliver Moazzezi | Exchange MVP, MCSA:M, BA (Hons) Anim | http://www.exchange2007.com http://www.exchange2010.com http://www.cobweb.com |

Sorry my mistake. I am too used to my old Exchange 2003 cluster. I am speaking of the CCR drives on the passive node. Active node: E: Logs F: DB G: DB Passive node: E: Logs - marked as an active partition F: DB G: DB - marked as an active partition

With CCR you can backup off your Active or Passive node - it's entirely upto you which or even both (for example in a stretched geo CCR solution).So no it isn't a requirement to backup Exchange from both CCR nodes, the decision is ultimately yours.OliverOliver Moazzezi | Exchange MVP, MCSA:M, BA (Hons) Anim | http://www.exchange2007.com http://www.exchange2010.com http://www.cobweb.com |

I am aware of that. And I do not want to backup the Exchange data from the passive node just the system data for DR. However, because the partitions were marked Active when they were created on the passive node, the OS indicates that they are system drives when I am backing up the the server for DR. When I backup for DR it should only select the C:\ drive, SystemState and SytemTable info from the passive node. My question is how to, safely, change the partition on the passive node to be InActive partitions so they will not be selected by the DR backup process?

Hi,Your only concern marking a disk as inactive would be if it was the boot volume. Did these consultants leave any documentation or give any clues why they performed their work this way? Strange.OliverOliver Moazzezi | Exchange MVP, MCSA:M, BA (Hons) Anim | http://www.exchange2007.com http://www.exchange2010.com http://www.cobweb.com |

Nothing that speaks to this configuration or why. I have emailed them and have not yet received a response. I have never used DiskPart to mark a partition InActive. It is listed as an option so I assume it can be done. Since neither of these partitions are the boot volume and only contain replicated logs and DB data from the Primary node, I don't think it will cause a problem but just wanted to be sure before doing this in a production environment. Thanks, Skip Berry

Hey,Yes you use Diskpart to mark it as inactive. Read the full documentation here: "A Description of the DiskPart Command Line Utility" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/300415Would be nice to know their reasoning if you ever get a response :-)Take care,OliverOliver Moazzezi | Exchange MVP, MCSA:M, BA (Hons) Anim | http://www.exchange2007.com http://www.exchange2010.com http://www.cobweb.com |

As shows in the KB from Oliver, Active flag indicate if the partition is a system/boot partition for startup. I dont think the partition for database/log must be stored in such type of partition. Please contact the consultant, see if theres any special reason for the setting

Skip,So all done?OliverOliver Moazzezi | Exchange MVP, MCSA:M, BA (Hons) Anim | http://www.exchange2007.com | http://www.exchange2010.com | http://www.cobweb.com |

Yes, all done. The installer said he had no good reason for those partitions being set active and doesn't recall doing it. At any rate, i used DiskPart to set both the partitions in question to InActive. This took all of about 5 minutes and had no adverse affect on the production environment. Now when running a DR backup only the C: drive, SystemState and SystemTable info are selected as expected. Thanks to all for the help, Skip