Exchange Server File Size Issue.
Hi ExpertsI have issue with my exchange server file size. The below are statistics i have gathered from the exchange server computer and windows backup.1.) System Manager > Server > First Storage Group > Mailbox Store > Mailboxes > Export List.
The above export list show the size of each mailbox which adds to 12.6GB.2.) The File System on D Drive.
*.stm = 12.9GB
*.edb = 25.7 GB
The total size adds to 38.60GB3.) Windows Backup file (*.bkf) = 39.60GB)The file system and backup file size are 3 times the mailboxes size, I would like to know can I clean-up the unused or unnecessary spaces.Any guidelines or help will be highly appreciated.Kind RegardsBhavesh
September 5th, 2008 12:38pm
Hello Bhavesh,
Total size (38.6GB) = Actual Data (Exported from ESM 12.6GB) + Recoverable Items + Recyclable Space
Understanding Exchange Databases Disk Consumption
You can see the recyclable space by checking 1221 event log entry, if it is high amount of data then you have two options to reduce the size of edb/stm files.
1. Do the Offline Defragmentation of database, but it requires Exchange server down time.
How can I defragment Exchange 2000/2003 Server databases?
2. Create a new mailbox store and move all mailboxes to new database, take backup & delete old mailbox store and edb/stm files related to old mailbox store. This will drop Recyclable Space into old database and this method doesnt required server downtime but individual users will not be able to access mailbox during movement.
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September 5th, 2008 2:47pm
Hi AmitThanks for your quick response.I do not have enough space on the hard-drive to do the offline defragmentation of the database as it requires 110% free space.I thought to perform online defragmentation that does not require any free space on the server, but I was wrong and found that it created lots of logs which have taken most of the space on the drive.I know that once I run ntbackup on the exchange server it will clear the logs files, but I'm not sure about it.Is it safe to move or delete the log files? or should I do the ntbackup overnight.Kind RegardsBhavesh
September 8th, 2008 12:46pm
Hey Bhavesh,
Yes it requires 110% of free space on the disk where you put your defragmented database.
In normal situation it would be recommended to run full backup to purge transaction log files.
But in case of emergency like stores are down due to no disk space in log drive,you can movelogs manually.
Here is the easiest way to do it graphically
Move Committed Exchange TransactionLogs
However you can verify last attached log file in header of checkpoint with Eseutil /MKand move all older logs compare to last attached logmanually also.
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September 8th, 2008 1:26pm
Hi AmitThanks for your response, it did work for me.I have moved the files to different (F) drive and done the complete backup.Can I delete this log files moved to F drive?Kind RegardsBhavesh
September 12th, 2008 3:29pm
Hey Bhavesh,
If you don't require to restore any backup which is older than your last full backup which you took after moving logs then yes, you can delete and no point of keeping those
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September 12th, 2008 4:20pm
Hi Amit I would like to defragment my database finally, so can you please advice which will be the best option or any alternative suggestion.I was thinking of the below options, let me know if they sounds OK
Option 1
Take a off-line backup of the exchange server i.e. copy the data files.
Install a fresh copy of exchange server on a secondary server.
Restore the off-line backup.
defragment the database on the new install server which will have more than 110% free space.
On the new server - take a off-line backup.
Restore the above off-line backup on the new server.
Add the USB External storage and change the database location and perform the online defragment.Kind RegardsBhavesh
November 24th, 2008 3:32pm
Hello,
I need to move one of my Exchange 2003 databases to a larger volume since it's almost filled up the current one.
The EDB file is 74GB and the STM file is 35GB, the current volume where these files reside only has 12GB of free space left.
Will that pose a problem when trying to move the files, i.e., is there a minimum amount of head room required on the source volume during the move?
I tried to move STM file to alternate location using EMC and Manual process but both are filed with error insufficient resources to perform this operation.
KB’s followed:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822676/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/821915/en-us
Try to copy Database and stream files to using xcpoy it’s also failed please advice…. :(
Thanks in advance for any guidance!Thanks, GJ
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May 30th, 2011 4:01am
Hello,
I need to move one of my Exchange 2003 databases to a larger volume since it's almost filled up the current one.
The EDB file is 74GB and the STM file is 35GB, the current volume where these files reside only has 12GB of free space left.
Will that pose a problem when trying to move the files, i.e., is there a minimum amount of head room required on the source volume during the move?
I tried to move STM file to alternate location using EMC and Manual process but both are filed with error insufficient resources to perform this operation.
KB’s followed:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822676/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/821915/en-us
Try to copy Database and stream files to using xcpoy it’s also failed please advice…. :(
Thanks in advance for any guidance!Thanks, GJ
May 30th, 2011 10:53am