Hi, Flat file backup of exchange says that we should 1) stop all exchange services 2) sensure Exchange logon account has Exchange full admin power , else MDBDATA will not be backed up (will be Skipped) 3) IIS matadata which is metaback folder in winnt\system32\inetsrv 4) The system state. (As System state is required for active directory information) Synario if Exchange server and domain controller both are different server then Back up system state is for which macine , is it exchange server or domain controller or Both the machines. Logic says it should be exchange server. But exchange server is not active directory to store user information. If you have any answer then please reply. Rohit Paikekar