1,000s of 1mb Log files in Mailbox Database folder? 1

[colinmitton]

We have over 60GB of log files in the mailbox database folder on our exchange server?

They seem to be created every few minutes / seconds when the exchange server is actively looking after clients / emails (i.e. during working hours!). Sadly I have yet to get my training course on Exchange 2010 and have no idea why this is happening. I'm guessing some sort of logging must be turned on (but I dont know where to check to see if loggin is on or off!).

If it helps the file format is something like :
E000000000A.log

The file content is not viewable in notepad the most I can make out the exchange 2010 and the file path to where these files are stored???

 

[ntinlin]

This is absolutely normal, although the database and log files would usually be on different drives.

When anything happens on Exchange a log entry is created and then later on applied to the database. This means if there is a problem the logs can be rolled forward / rolled back.

However with that amount of logs it sounds like backups are not being taken.
You can check the last backup date by looking at the properties of the database in EMC.

I would suggest that you first of all take an Exchange aware backup to clear down the old logs. You can do this during the working day if necessary although it will slow the system down a bit.

Then once you have done your course or done some basic reading you can look at moving the log files from the database drive if you have another one available.

But make sure that you continue doing the regular backups to clear down the logs and in case of disasters.

 

[colinmitton]

Thanks for that information. I'm guessing that there should be some sort of backup process that is run by exchange its self? could you please let me know where to aim in EMC to find this function. Also any tips on what do do would really help

I'll also look in to getting some more drives for my unit. It seems that the people who installed this for me have got the spec wrong. I have a pair of mirrored drives for the OS, then another pair of mirrored drives for Exchange!

At least this is 'normal' thanks for you help.

 

[ntinlin]

Nope. Exchange does no backups of its own.

I think you can use the Windows backup software on Server 2008 to do it, you'd have to add the feature from Server Manager. Not positive on that though, MS may have removed that functionality.

Obviously if you are using other backup software like Commvault or Arcserve to do other servers you'd be better to buy the appropriate Exchange agent, although they don't tend to be cheap.

As for disk sizing etc. I would go to

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2009/11/09/453117.aspx

and get the Mailbox Server Role Requirements calculator

That site is also the Blog for the MS Exhange team and has a LOT of good info.

Neill

NB It kind of goes without saying but make sure you get a backup before the disk space gets down to 0 or Exchange will simply dismount the database and stop working.
It's pretty complicated but the explanatory notes do help.

 

[colinmitton]

Strange, I have Symantec BackupExec running on that box backing up every evening?

My guess is that Exchange is not being 'told' its being backed up therefore not clearing down the logs.

Again this was installed by the company who put in Exchange for me! I think a loud phone will be required!

I'll look in to the link to help me along with the disk issue.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[58sniper]

You need to make sure you have the Exchange agent for Backup Exec installed. Then, when properly configured, Backup Exec runs and successfully backs up the data, it will flush the log files.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[colinmitton]

Thanks, I've just got on to the supplier to advise them of this and they are coming in to sort it out!

Thanks all.

 

[ntinlin]

What Pat said.

Also while you have them on site make sure that they have set any file-level anti-virus on the box to exclude the various Exchange folders.
MS has an article somewhere about what to exclude.

If they haven't got the backup right I'd want to make certain of that as well.

Neill

 

[colinmitton]

Thanks for that, I'll check it out. Hopefully I'll be able to pull this one back from the brink! After more research (I should never trust a supplier!) Exchange was installed not on to the volume with the OS, but on its own volume, then they defaulted the Mailboxes / log files to the same volume!

Not best happy... still should get the sourse in november and then I'll be able to put it right!