Reclaiming database space/checking consistency
Ok, I still haven't done this after rebuilding my Exchange server, and I'd like to do it ASAP. Here's my situation....
- I have a single Exchange 2000 standard server (Windows 2000 Server, SP3)
- Exchange/OS installed on C:\ drive, pub1.edb on D:\ drive with 14.2GB Free
- Originally, database went oversize and I did the reg hack to be able to mount it and delete all kinds of data (It's now down to about 7GB, but still "shows" as 17.2GB)
My questions are:
1.) Is it safe to run the eseutil utility on the .edb file right there on the D:\ drive if there's only 14.2GB free space and the database "shows" as 17.2GB?
2.) I'm assuming all email services need to be stopped and users will not be able to use the Exchange server for the entire time the utility is running, correct?
3.) Is there an easier/safer way to do this?
Thanks.
- I have a single Exchange 2000 standard server (Windows 2000 Server, SP3)
- Exchange/OS installed on C:\ drive, pub1.edb on D:\ drive with 14.2GB Free
- Originally, database went oversize and I did the reg hack to be able to mount it and delete all kinds of data (It's now down to about 7GB, but still "shows" as 17.2GB)
My questions are:
1.) Is it safe to run the eseutil utility on the .edb file right there on the D:\ drive if there's only 14.2GB free space and the database "shows" as 17.2GB?
2.) I'm assuming all email services need to be stopped and users will not be able to use the Exchange server for the entire time the utility is running, correct?
3.) Is there an easier/safer way to do this?
Thanks.
you need over 100% free space on the drive to run a defrag. this is so the eseutil can make a temp of the database. if you feel that the database is 7gb you should be ok. it is strongly advised to make a backup before and after the defrag. email services will be stopped and there will be down time. i have found that it is the easiest and safest way to do it on that machine. i have in the past copied the databases to another server, copied the bin directory and defragged it. it worked but i wouldn't do it again, at that time i had no other choice. if you have a spare HD you can add it to that server and use the temp switch in eseutil.
1) Run eseutil /d /td:\tempbase.edb /p
This lets you run the defrag without doing anything with the files on the C: drive. If everything works out, copy the file from the d: drive to where you have your files today. Rename it to the correct name and then mount. As always it is recommended to have a copy of the files you run defrag on. Just in case. :)
2) You have do dismount the stores, and because of that, users will have no access
3) Not as I now of
This lets you run the defrag without doing anything with the files on the C: drive. If everything works out, copy the file from the d: drive to where you have your files today. Rename it to the correct name and then mount. As always it is recommended to have a copy of the files you run defrag on. Just in case. :)
2) You have do dismount the stores, and because of that, users will have no access
3) Not as I now of
ASKER
Thanks guys.....
I KNOW for a fact the actual size is less than 7GB, so I'll use Veritas to do a Full backup of the Mailbox Store, then when it finishes, I'll dismount the Mailbox Store, stop all Exchange services, and run eseutil /d priv1.edb on the D:\ drive. Emptyone- What do you mean "...without doing anything with the files on the C:\ drive..."? I'm assuming that my backup of the Mailbox Store that I will do with Veritas will be sufficient as a "...copy of the files you run defrag on...", no? I'm just paranoid about doing this...Thanks again.
I KNOW for a fact the actual size is less than 7GB, so I'll use Veritas to do a Full backup of the Mailbox Store, then when it finishes, I'll dismount the Mailbox Store, stop all Exchange services, and run eseutil /d priv1.edb on the D:\ drive. Emptyone- What do you mean "...without doing anything with the files on the C:\ drive..."? I'm assuming that my backup of the Mailbox Store that I will do with Veritas will be sufficient as a "...copy of the files you run defrag on...", no? I'm just paranoid about doing this...Thanks again.
What I mean is that if the defrag fails, you will not have to do a full restore to be up and running again. Because the files are untouched on the C: drive
The Veritas backup will do, but it will in fact be quicker and easier to copy the files. But do what you feel most secure about, and most comfortable doing
The Veritas backup will do, but it will in fact be quicker and easier to copy the files. But do what you feel most secure about, and most comfortable doing
ASKER
Oh, ok.....so you're saying if I run eseutil with the /td:\tempbase.edb /p switch, that it will make a whole seperate "database" to do the defrag on, then if it's successful, I can copy the temp database that was created to the proper mailbox store location, delete the old one, rename the temp one to "priv1.edb" and remount it....right?
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