How do I apply size limits on 600+ user mailboxes all at once?

[clubleo]

I'm running Exchange 5.5 in an NT domain environment. The users mailboxes are getting ridiculously large now and it's beginning to impact my server performance. Does anyone know how I can apply mailbox size limitations on ALL 600+ users all at once? Also, when I do this, exactly WHAT is affected client side and server side?


Thanks

 

[DestinysDream]

What you have to due is set the "Information Store default limits". In Exchange Admin expand "Configuration" -> "Server" and then expand the server you want to set the limits on. Highlight the "Private Information Store" statement and click on "Properties". On the first page is 3 different boxes. Set the limits for what you want and then apply them. In each individuals mailbox you will have to double click their box go to the "Limits" tab and place a check mark in the "Information Store Defaults" box.

Be careful on how you block "Send and Receive". People can get real mad about not being able to receive their email from their boss. Especially if they are your boss.

If anyone calls and says "I know a little something about computers" just tell them to reformat it.

 

[zbnet]

Your approach to the problem is correct in principle, DestinysDream, but the catch is the sentence "In each individuals mailbox you will have to double click their box go to the "Limits" tab and place a check mark in the "Information Store Defaults" box". For 600+ users that is going to take hours.

This bit can be automated in a few minutes using a directory export, a bit of Excel manipulation, and a directory import again (you still need to set the default store limits as above).

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q155414

is the place to start if you're new to import/export. Export your recipients container, and edit the CSV in Excel. The particular field you're interested in setting is called 'Use IS Defaults', so add this as a column to the sheet. It's a binary field so you want a value of 1 for each of your users. If you've not done it before, best to experiment on a test server before messing up production!

Feel free to ask for further clarification if you're having trouble with this.

I echo the comments on the 'Send and Receive' limit, if you set this at all (we don't as a rule) it should really be 2 or 3 times bigger than the 'Probit Send' limit.

 

[DestinysDream]

When he says experiment he really means it. I have never done an export and import because I have seen what happens if you do it wrong. It is a serious time saver but it can cause duplicate accounts, lost emails and all kinds of other havoc. So be very careful when you import it back to you active directory.

If anyone calls and says "I know a little something about computers" just tell them to reformat it.

 

[zbnet]

True, directory import is very powerful, so if you get it wrong it can go wrong big time. But used carefully, it is a very useful tool. I've done probably hundreds of directory exports and imports, including the migration of a 30,000 user org from one directory standard to a new one using perl scripts to reformat and validate the data before it was reimported again.

 

[Marcs41]

Did you consider Mailbox Manager?
Set it of on warning level only, give users time to clean, and then start restricting.
You don't have to touch a single mailbox then.

Marc
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