Because queue storage for a combined storage session contains both metadata and run-time data, any backup copy you create with the file system's copy command has the potential to capture run-time data as well as metadata. Therefore, this type of backup is only suitable in an environment where you can easily halt all client activity and drain the queues of all guaranteed documents. If you create a backup that captures any guaranteed documents, those documents will be resent if that backup is ever restored.

If you cannot put your Broker Server in this state, then you should back up your Broker Server's metadata by exporting it to an XML or ADL file. For information about the export feature, see Managing Client Groups.