Exchange 2007 standard(base OS is Server 2008) is running out of space on E:. The DB is approximately 90 GIG and 152 GB of logs have not been committed to the DB. I want to commit the logs to the DB first through full backup but space is limited. If I attach a SAN, would it be possible to just to copy and paste the DB and logs to the new SAN and manipulate the DB/Log file path? Thanks.

Hi, Are you sure that you have 152 GB of log files that haven't been committed? It sounds more like you haven't been running full backup for a while and then the logs files are piling up. Try and check out the dates on the logfiles to see if this is the case. You can also check through the properties in the EMC by right clicking the database and select properties and last full backup should be shown there. As for the moving the database, this can also be done thought the EMC by moving database path and pointing it to the SAN drives. You can check this guide for more info: http://www.howexchangeworks.com/2009/06/moving-storage-group-database-files.html /MartinExchange is a passion not just a collaboration software.

The company does not have a dedicated admin, and they're bringing me in for this. The initial setup was not done properly. If I copy the DB/logs to the new SAN and change the path files through EMC, do you think Exchange will play nice or do I have to play with isintig or eseutil? Thanks.

@Jose - Transaction have been commited, check the date and do a full backup. This will clear the logs which are no longer needed. Don't change the log path. If your issue is that you're running out of space, then move the logs files to another drive. After this do a full backup. Exchange will be fine as long as you move the old logs files which are no longer needed. Sukh

Agree with Sukh, if I was right about the backup situation just get a full backup completed and you will be good to go with a lot of free space on the drive. If you still want the databases on the SAN do this after completing the backup. /MartinExchange is a passion not just a collaboration software.

@Jose - Just saw the second part of your question. You cannot simply copy and past the DB and Logs to the SAN. They must be set. I would do the above first then move. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124742(EXCHG.80).aspx Sukh

@Jose The technet article is the same as the guide I posted a link to. The guide I posted is just the GUI version of doing it. /MartinExchange is a passion not just a collaboration software.

Also, they don't have a Exchange backup OS. We're relying on the VM(the Exchange is VM) snapshot or use Server 2008 backup software.

Then you need to make a Full Backup of the entire server with Server 2008 Backup software, this is the only way to get the logs flushed. You should look into getting a decent backup software since E-mail most often is a business critical piece of software and you can get some software for an affordable price. /MartinExchange is a passion not just a collaboration software.

@Jose - If you dont want to use backup or cant. Then you can delete the logs manually. As stated, delete older as they have been played in the edb. Sukh

Hi, Don't just deleted them, enable circular logging instead, then Exchange will make sure you don't have any extra logs. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb331968(EXCHG.80).aspx /MartinExchange is a passion not just a collaboration software.

So in my test environment, I have the Exchange file in C:. In Server 2008, I used the backup software to backup the whole drive. Backup finish and the logs did not get commited. @ sukh828 - this was my last resort. The thing is I do not think a full backup was ever performed on the DB. I was going to copy the logs somewhere temporarily.

Hi Jose You need to include system state in the backup since the Exchange backup is included in this one for the Server 2008 Backup software. And do note my reply about Circular logging instead of just deleting logs. /MartinExchange is a passion not just a collaboration software.

@Jose - Probably not. Simply backup the c:\ drive does not purge the logs. The backup must be an Exchange backup, which will then purge the logs. It seems liek you performed a file level back and NOT an Exchange backups.

I'm using Server 2008 R2 backup software.

Hi Jose You need to include system state in the backup since the Exchange backup is included in this one for the Server 2008 Backup software. And do note my reply about Circular logging instead of just deleting logs. /Martin Exchange is a passion not just a collaboration software. Exchange is a passion not just a collaboration software.

@Jose - Backups here. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd876854.aspx Sukh

Thank you guys for all your responses!

I was able to utilize the Server 2008 R2 backup software to backup Exchange. I have done RSG recovery using Server 2003. Is it pretty much the same process in Server 2008? Thanks.

@Jose Exchange recovery is done via RSG. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa997694(EXCHG.80).aspx Sukh