Verifying VSS functionality for the Data Protection Exchange backup

Answer

Here is the VSHADOW pre-testing that is recommended BEFORE Tivoli Storage Manager is even installed:

The "VSHADOW Prereq Test" (Windows 2003)

1. Test non-persistent shadow copy creation and deletion.
   Run "VSHADOW k: l:“ (where k: and l: are the Exchange Server database and log volumes).
   Repeat this 4 times.
   Check the Windows Event Log to check to make sure things look good.
   
2. Test persistent shadow copy creation and deletion.
   Run "VSHADOW -p k: l:“ (where k: and l: are the Exchange Server database and log volumes).
   You may need to run "VSHADOW -da" to remove this if you don't have enough space.
   Repeat this 4 times.
   Check the Windows Event Log to check to make sure things look good.
   
3. Note: This test is for VSS Hardware Provider environments only.
   Test non-persistent transportable shadow copy creation and deletion (VSS Hardware Provider environments only).
   Run "VSHADOW -t=export.xml k: l:“ (where k: and l: are the Exchange Server database and log volumes).
   On the machine you have set aside for offload, run "VSHADOW -i=export.xml“.
   Check the Windows Event Log to check to make sure things look good.

Once all of these things are working perfectly, you are ready for the Tivoli Storage Manager code to be installed and tested.


The "DISKSHADOW Prereq Test" (Windows 2008 and 2012)

VSS functionality can be validated with the Windows 2008 and/or Windows 2012 Server embedded command DISKSHADOW. The following are the DISKSHADOW tests recommended before any Tivoli Storage Manager components are installed.
1. Test Non-persistent shadow copy creation and deletion.
a. Run "diskshadow" on a command window
b. DISKSHADOW> add volume f: (Database volume)
c. DISKSHADOW> add volume g: (Log volume)
d. DISKSHADOW> create
e. DISKSHADOW>list shadows all (This may take a few minutes)
f. DISKSHADOW>delete shadows all

Note: Volumes f: and g: represent the Exchange Database and log volumes. Repeat this 4 times. Verify the Windows Event Log contains no errors.

2. Test Persistent shadow copy creation and deletion.
a. Run "diskshadow" on a command window
b. DISKSHADOW>set context persistent
c. DISKSHADOW> add volume f: (Database volume)
d. DISKSHADOW> add volume g: (Log volume)
e. DISKSHADOW> create
f. DISKSHADOW>list shadows all (This may take a few minutes)
g. DISKSHADOW>delete shadows all

Note: Volumes f: and g: represent the Exchange Database and log volumes. Repeat this 4 times. Verify the Windows Event Log contains no errors.

3. Test Non-persistent transportable shadow copy creation and deletion
a. Run "diskshadow" on a command window
b. DISKSHADOW>set context persistent
c. DISKSHADOW>set option transportable
d. DISKSHADOW>begin backup
e. DISKSHADOW> add volume f: (Database volume)
f. DISKSHADOW> add volume g: (Log volume)
g. DISKSHADOW>set metadata c:\metadata\exchangemeta.cab (specify the path where you want the metadata stored)
h. DISKSHADOW> create
i. DISKSHADOW>end backup
j. Manually copy the exchangemeta.cab file from the source server to the offload server and run these two commands:

DISKSHADOW>LOAD METADATA <path to>exchangemeta.cab
DISKSHADOW>IMPORT

k. DISKSHADOW>list shadows all (This may take a few minutes)
l. DISKSHADOW>delete shadows all

Note: Volumes f: and g: represent the Exchange Database and log volumes. Repeat this 4 times. Verify the Windows Event Log contains no errors.

After all of these tests complete without errors, you are ready for the Tivoli Storage Manager component installations.