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Exchange reseed database error
We have a 2 server cluster running Exchange 2010. Server 1 crashed today and this time, left the database copies in a "failed and suspended" state. (we have 9 databases - all are "failed and suspended"). Normally when one of the servers crashes, the databases fail over to the other server. I have to admit however that I don't know which server was the active server when this crash took place - should have been server 2 but server 2 is the one with the "failed and suspended" copies of the databases.
I tried the reseed command (last time this happened, the reseed worked without issue) but get the error attached.
I also tried to do a database update via the EMC wizard (right click the database and choose "update database copy") - received the same error.
We have circular logging enabled. I've tried to locate the log files so I can dismount the database(s), move the log files somewhere else and then remount the database(s) but I can't find the log files. Same thing applies if I want to do a manually copy, I still need to copy the DB and the log files to a shared area in order to copy to my server 2.
I don't want to reboot server 2 with the databases in a failed state - unless someone out there can assure me that will resolve my issue.
Hoping to get a response soon - I'd like to fix this today if possible.
ReseedError.pdf
I tried the reseed command (last time this happened, the reseed worked without issue) but get the error attached.
I also tried to do a database update via the EMC wizard (right click the database and choose "update database copy") - received the same error.
We have circular logging enabled. I've tried to locate the log files so I can dismount the database(s), move the log files somewhere else and then remount the database(s) but I can't find the log files. Same thing applies if I want to do a manually copy, I still need to copy the DB and the log files to a shared area in order to copy to my server 2.
I don't want to reboot server 2 with the databases in a failed state - unless someone out there can assure me that will resolve my issue.
Hoping to get a response soon - I'd like to fix this today if possible.
ReseedError.pdf
Exchange
Last Comment
skbarnard
Do you have a witness server setup?
This would have kept your DB's up and running regardless of which server was primary.
This would have kept your DB's up and running regardless of which server was primary.
If you don't have necessary log files for soft recovery of exchange databases, then try hard repair of databases with eseutil /p <database path> and then try to mount the same, if mounted successfully, then reseed passive copy
http://blog.pluralsight.com/eseutil-exchange-2010
Mahesh
http://blog.pluralsight.com/eseutil-exchange-2010
Mahesh
Need to figure out where the database files actually are first.
According to the screenshot, it's not where it's expected to be ("The system cannot find the file specified").
You also won't find any log files (except the one being overwritten) since circular logging is enabled - which means you can only restore your database to the point of the last full backup.
According to the screenshot, it's not where it's expected to be ("The system cannot find the file specified").
You also won't find any log files (except the one being overwritten) since circular logging is enabled - which means you can only restore your database to the point of the last full backup.
ASKER
Thanks for all the responses.
Dsnegi_25Dec - it seems the link you provided is primarily for Exchange 2003 so I haven't tried anything from that article.
Mahesh - I tried the eseutil command that you provided and got essentially the same error - that the file can't be found (see attached)
Seth2740 - I agree with you that I need to find the files. I believe the folder is on the C: drive but not in Program Files, it's a folder called ExchangeDatabases and there are folders for each database - folders are called VOL1, VOL2 etc and in each of those folders is the associated DB (DB1.edb etc). There is a sub folder called "logs" which has a bunch of files (text documents - all 1,024 KB in size)
We do have an additional server that I believe is supposed to be the witness server and it's where the DAG resides. I haven't yet checked that server so I will do so - it could be that server is where the log files are kept and the "connection" between the servers has been lost.
That's why I like to ask questions here - you help me think things through.
I'll report back on that point but any other thoughts or suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated.
EseutilError.pdf
Dsnegi_25Dec - it seems the link you provided is primarily for Exchange 2003 so I haven't tried anything from that article.
Mahesh - I tried the eseutil command that you provided and got essentially the same error - that the file can't be found (see attached)
Seth2740 - I agree with you that I need to find the files. I believe the folder is on the C: drive but not in Program Files, it's a folder called ExchangeDatabases and there are folders for each database - folders are called VOL1, VOL2 etc and in each of those folders is the associated DB (DB1.edb etc). There is a sub folder called "logs" which has a bunch of files (text documents - all 1,024 KB in size)
We do have an additional server that I believe is supposed to be the witness server and it's where the DAG resides. I haven't yet checked that server so I will do so - it could be that server is where the log files are kept and the "connection" between the servers has been lost.
That's why I like to ask questions here - you help me think things through.
I'll report back on that point but any other thoughts or suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated.
EseutilError.pdf
Have you verified database path physically \ through adsiedit.msc
If You may change your database path to reflect to actual physical path
Check below article and use adsiedit.msc method
http://mistech.com/how-to-move-exchange-2010-mailbox-database-to-another-drivepartition/
Then need to check for Database state and then hopefully you can mount and then reseed passive copy
Mahesh
If You may change your database path to reflect to actual physical path
Check below article and use adsiedit.msc method
http://mistech.com/how-to-move-exchange-2010-mailbox-database-to-another-drivepartition/
Then need to check for Database state and then hopefully you can mount and then reseed passive copy
Mahesh
ASKER
To give an update - it appears I may have a bad controller so before I do any more trying to reseed the database copies, I need to get the controller back online (the error states the controller is locked up)
Have a service call logged, currently waiting for a call back.
Will keep you posted as I discover more.
Have a service call logged, currently waiting for a call back.
Will keep you posted as I discover more.
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ASKER
I just had to reboot the server to clear the controller lockup - that was the issue causing me to not be able to 'reseed' the databases.
http://msexchangeguru.com/2009/07/12/exchange-database-recovery-using-eseutil-commands/