Exchange server database (EDB) contains all the information associated with user mailboxes and public folders. It also stores data, data definitions, indexes, checksums, and flags. The versions of Exchange prior to 2007, stores the user mailbox data in two files i.e. .STM and .EDB. The current versions of Exchange are based on Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) technology and don’t contain .stm database files.
What is an Exchange storage group?
The Exchange information store contains storage groups, data stores, and
databases. A storage group contains mailbox stores, stores/databases
transaction logs and public folder store (that contains public folder
information), the mailbox stores contain mailboxes. Exchange data stores
are of two types: mailbox stores and public folder. The mailbox store
contains the server's mailboxes and the public folder stores server's
public folders.
Storage groups are a logical way for grouping databases. All the databases in a single Storage Group share same set of log files. When the Exchange server is installed there is only one storage group (First Storage Group) within the information store. You can create additional storage groups if required.
In Exchange 2000: It supports only four stores per storage group and up to 20 stores per server. If you need to create mailbox oradditional stores/public folder store, then you will be required to create an additional storage group for that store. In Exchange 2000 standard,one storage group contains one mailbox store and one public folder store.However,the Enterprise versions can have around twenty stores per server containing four storage groups each with up to five stores.
In exchange 2003: Use of single group mechanism reduces the disk performance, so it’s better to create multiple storage groups that can enhance the speed of backup/restore process.
It’s a usual practice in organizations to use additional mailbox stores in which those user mailboxes can be placed on which you want apply different rules or permissions.
In Exchange 2003 Standard, you can have One storage group with one mailbox store and one public folder store and Exchange 2003 Enterprise versions can have around twenty stores per server containing Recovery Storage Group and four storage groups each with up to five stores
In exchange 2007: In exchange 2007 standard, there can be 25 stores per server containing 5 storage groups each with up to five stores. While the Enterprise version can have 50 stores per storage group and can have up to 50 storage groups.
| 2003 Std | P2003 Ent | 2007 Std | 2007 Ent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage groups | 1 | 4 | 5 | 50 |
| Stores per group | 2 | 5 | 5 | 50 |
| Database Limit | 75 GB | 16 TB | 16 TB | 16 TB |
Storage group management in Exchange 2007:
As discussed above, having a single storage group can reduce the disk performance and multiple storage groups enhance the speed of backup/restore processes.
Pros of using multiple storage groups in Exchange:
• If you are using multiple storage groups, then the size of stores will be smaller that increases the speed of backup and restore procedure and thus makes the management easier for user.
• If it’s required to take one store offline, then it can be done easily without hampering other users. Only the users in the same storage group will be affected.
• You can set desired rules, policies and permissions for different storage groups
• If a single store contains multiple storage groups, then it will enhance the disk performance.
• Configuring multiple Storage Groups on the server is a better choice instead of having lots of small Exchange 2007 servers
How to manage Exchange storage group and stores?
Exchange Server 2007 provides a feature ‘Continuous Replication (LCR)’ for storage group management. This feature let you have only one database in each store. In Exchange 2007, you can apply the Journal Recipient feature. Just create a special account, and then connect this Journal Recipient and the mailbox store to this Journal Recipient. Each mailbox message will be automatically copied by the Exchange.
Exchange Storage group management may include the following operations:
1. New storage group creation
2. Storage group configuration
3. Storage group removal
4. and moving a storage group path
1. New storage group creation:
Before beginning the process,you must set proper permissions, delegations roles and rights. Your exchange server account must be delegated for Administrator role and local Administrators group for the target server.
Follow the given steps to create a new storage group:
• Start the Exchange Management Console.
• Go to the option ‘Server Configuration’.
• Select the desired Mailbox server where the new storage group is to be created.
• Go to 'Action pane'> New Storage Group. Give a name to the new storage group
• Select the desired option and continue.
• Click finish once the process completes.
You can also use the Exchange Management Shell with New-StorageGroup cmdlet to create a new storage group.
2. Storage group configuration:
For an efficient mailbox size management, you need to configure the mailbox size limits. You can also configure other storage settings by using the below procedure. After you are done with the configuration procedure, restart the Information Store service or the exchange server.
Follow the given steps to configure a storage group:
• Open Exchange Management Console.
• Go to Server Configuration> Mailbox
• Select the desired storage group and right click to open properties
• Choose to configure the storage group settings according to your needs.
You can also use the Exchange Management Shell with Set-StorageGroup cmdlet to configure storage group settings.
3. Storage group removal: You can easily remove an existing storage group by using the Exchange Management Console or Exchange Management Shell cmdlets.
Follow the steps given below to remove a storage group:
• Open Exchange Management Console.
• Go to Server Configuration> Mailbox
• Select the desired storage group and right click to open properties
• Click Remove
You can also use the Exchange Management Shell with Remove-StorageGroup cmdlet to remove the storage group.
4. Moving a Storage Group Path:
Follow the given steps to move a storage group path:
• Open Exchange Management Console.
• Go to Server Configuration -> Mailbox node
• Right click the storage group system and log files
• Click Move Storage Group Path
You can also use the Exchange Management Shell with the Move-StorageGroupPath cmdlet to move the storage group path.
The above discussed are the basic operations performed to manage the Exchange storage groups. Read my next article,to get a deeper insight about storage group management process and the Exchange Management Shell cmdlets for storage group management
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