Hello,
Here's our situation:
One exchange 2K3 server, one OWA2K3 server, one BES 4.0 server.
Current exchange database getting two -1018 errors daily.
NTFS corruption errors showing in Event Viewer for Exchange partition
All of Exchange was installed on partition getting corrupt NTFS error (except transaction logs).
We are also using POP3 and IMAP.
Here's our perfect scenario:
Fix -1018 errors
Fix NTFS corruption
Re-install exchange to C, with transaction logs and database each on their own partition
Here's what's being asked of us:
Little to no downtime.
No extensive data loss. (Other than hopefully the handfull of messages that suffer corruption).
Must have a parachute before we begin with the plan.
Here's our plan:
Build second ex2K3 box. Add to domain. Install exchange.
Move Public Folders, move users over slowly (one mailbox, then a few then the rest in phases).
Let everything run for a week so all users will have had a chance to connect
Once all users have been moved over then remove remaining roles off the first exchange box.
Un-install Exchange from the first box.
This gives us no corruption (it's filtered during the mailbox move) and clean database (new install on second box)
NTFS error gone because were on new server
Exchange is installed the way we want it.
Little to no downtime for any of the users.
Data loss is minimized because we set mailbox moves to fail if it hits corruption. This gives us a chance to find out who's affected.
The other school of thought is to down the current exchange server one night, xcopy database then run repair utilities. Assuming it's fixed then back up everything off exchange partition to tape, format the partition. Un-install and re-install exchange on the same box and then restore the databases and logs.
To me this is way more risky, mail is unavailable for at least a day and there is no fall back other than restoring from xcopy.
We're aware of exmerge. Should we run it before we go with either of these plans? If so, is there any way to do this without shutting the store down?
Thanks to all in advance for your opinions!