Exchange 2003- disk space cleanup
Hi all,I am a newbie to Exchange 2003 admin and need some help regarding it. Basically I need to understand the following:1) What are the log files/directories that I need to cleanup when we say that maintenance needs to be performed on the following: * Reclaim disk from IS logs * Reclaim diskspace from Message tracking logs * Clean UP BAdMail Folder * Purge the protocol logs found in the HTTP, IMAP, SMTP or POP3 logging Directories 2) Can these operations be performed when the Exchange server is up OR do I need to first shut it down and then proceed?Any help in this regards would be appreciated.Thanks,Kamal
February 16th, 2009 9:36am

All Exchange activityis written to transaction logs and used for disaster recovery in the event of a hardware failure. Each information store uses a single log file until it reaches it maximum size, at which time a new file is created. All log files except the one actively in use can be deleted while Exchange is running. However before doing so, ensure that they are properly backed up. Most Exchange compliant backup software can be configuredto automatically purge the transaction logs once they have been successfully backed up. If you do not require point-in-time disaster recovery, then you enable circular logging which recycles logs that contain committed transactions.Message Tracking logs can be safely deleted, but at the expense of not being able to actually track older messages. The directly size can be configured as follows:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931737The Badmail folder represent email that for some reason could not be delivered. Unless you need to track or audit these messages, they can be deleted. The following link offers a solution for automatically deleting Badmail messages:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/867642Protocol logs are meant for trouble-shooting and auditing. Like transaction logs, only a single file is ever actively in use and all historical logs can be deleted while the service is running. Depending on your requirements, you can also configure logging levels for each service which may reduce log size over time.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 18th, 2009 5:01am

Thanks Roman. You explained it very nicely. I understand that the settings for the mailboxes can take care of automatic purging of the logs and old unwanted records, but if I were to clean them up manually, then could you please help me understand where these logs would be present physically on the machine?* IS logs* Message tracking logs* BadMail Folder* Protocol logs found in the HTTP, IMAP, SMTP or POP3 logging Directories I understand this might sound being a little naive, but just want to be a little extra cautious and do not want to delete extra/incorrect logs.Thanks,Kamal
February 18th, 2009 2:03pm

Hey Kamal, IS Logs (Transaction Logs):These logs are Storage Group basis and common for all DBs in a SG. You can check the location of Transaction Log in the properties of SG. If restore is not important then you can remove the transaction logs manually by checking the last committed log in Eseutil /mk or with the help of ExTRA graphically http://support.microsoft.com/kb/182961 http://exchangeshare.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/move-committed-exchange-transaction-logs/ Message tracking logs: In ESM, in the properties of Server BadMail Folder: ESM -> Admin Groups -> Admin Group Name -> Server Name -> Protocols -> SMTP -> Default SMTP Virtual Server -> Properties -> Messages -> BadMail Directory Protocol logs found in the HTTP, IMAP, SMTP or POP3 logging Directories: Below article should help you http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2004/02/20/77111.aspxhttp://searchexchange.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid43_gci1231891,00.html Amit Tank | MVP - Exchange | MCITP:EMA MCSA:M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 23rd, 2009 8:37am

This topic is archived. No further replies will be accepted.

Other recent topics Other recent topics