Exchange Server IS Size 1

[RA1668]

I am running Exchange Server 5.5 with the 16 GB limit. How can I determine used and free space so to avoid the 16 GB limit shutdown?

Thanks.

 

[fuego007]

Look at the size of priv.edb and pub.edb. The size of the files as reported by NT may be greater than the amount of data actually in the databases. Exchange runs a defragmentation process in the background. This process will result in compaction of the data without reducing the disk space used. Exchange will utilize the free space within the database file before the size of the file will increase. There is no way I'm aware of to determine how much free space exists within the database files.

By the way, I'm not sure what you mean about a 16GB limit. I'm not aware of any database size limitation in Exchange 5.5. But, then, I don't know everything...

Bob

 

[RA1668]

Bob,

Thanks for the info. My understanding is that Exchange 5.5 standard has a 16 GB limit but not Exchange 5.5 Enterprise. Perhaps I am wrong but better safe that sorry.

Art

 

[fuego007]

From what I've been able to find, you are correct.

 

[Segfault666]

only the Enterprise levels have an "unlimited" mailbox size. 5.5/2000 both have limits of 16,777,216bytes. I was faced with it crapping out on me just last month.

On another note I think that this should be info for all exchange admins, When your PRIV.EDB file reaches 16777216 or slightly higher (mine was 224 instead of 216), the services will crash and will not come up until it's smaller. user ESEUTIL (the Exchange Defrag util) to defrag out the deadspace on the file. This, depending on hardware, can take up to 12 hours. (It took 4.5 hours on a 733 w/ a Software raid-1 between two 40GB IDE Drives).

Since then I have heard of another company suffering the same; but the administrator knew that the enterprise edition had unlimited space so he rebiuilt the entire mailserver to enterprise... Bah, what a waste of time.

Serves to note; defrage your priv.edb every couple months. There will always be some deads space

 

[Killman]

You can look at the application log on the Exchange Server for event ID 1221, there will be one for the MSExchangeIS private and MSExchangeIS public. This will tell you how much space is available within the priv.edb and pub.edb. Even though the Priv.edb or pub.edb may show that its 10 gigs you may still have several hundred MB available before it starts to grow.