Once the domain is recreated, I will reset the Exchange Server account in Active Directory (AD), install the operating system (OS) and join the server to the domain using the original Exchange Server name, and then restore the information store.
Does this sound like the correct approach to creating a disaster recovery plan? Is there anything I have overlooked?
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One thing you may want to consider: some third-party utilities on the market circumvent the requirement for an Exchange recovery server. In essence this allows you to stand up any 'cold' or 'warm' site and then import the mailboxes directly from backup media to the production server, without a need for recovery servers and associated recovery steps. I'm assuming you have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) of some sort in place (or at least implied expectations). These will dictate how much you streamline the overall DR process outlined in your plan.
Of course, much more is involved in this process. I've seen consultants spend weeks working with customers to develop an Exchange Server DR plan -- from making sure software media and licenses are in place to documenting your backup rotation and offsite storage -- through documentation of all elements of people, process and technology required for successful execution of the DR plan.
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This was first published in August 2007