--metadata_level={{mailboxes_only|1}|{folders_and_mailboxes|2}|{all|3}}
The parameter is used with the backup exchange_database command. The parameter defines the amount of metadata collected during a backup. The more detailed the metadata is, the longer the backup creation takes. However, the browsing and recovery of individual e-mails and other items contained in the mailboxes will be faster.
If a database was backed up with the default parameter value then, in order to access folders or individual e-mails, the software has to open the database directly from the backup and apply transaction logs to the database. This process may take considerable time depending on the number of transaction logs contained in the backup.
Note that individual e-mails can be browsed and recovered only by using graphical user interface. If you use command-line interface only, collecting metadata to the e-mail level does not make sense. If you need to recover entire mailboxes only, you can safely use the default value in order to speed up backups.
Available values of the parameter are as follows:
The metadata will be the least detailed and the backup will be the fastest. Only mailboxes and public folders can be accessed without opening a database.
Individual folders within mailboxes and public folders can be accessed without opening a database.
The metadata will be the most detailed and the backup will take the longest time to complete. Individual e-mails and other items within mailboxes and public folders can be accessed without opening a database.