0

This is more of a learning question then a problem per say (hopefully that's okay to ask here!).

So, standard logging in Exchange. My understanding is as follows:

Changes to the database, incoming mail, sent items, etc. are written to log files stored in Program Files....\Logs.

When a backup is run, these logs get flushed, which is great - but when are those changes committed to the .edb (the database) itself? Is it done at a set time, or randomly when Exchange isn't 'busy'?

Furthermore - that means if backups aren't run on an Exchange server, lets just say this is the case, logs won't ever be flushed. So how could you get rid of them?

Would dismounting and remounting the database commit the logs to the EDB and flush the logs for example? Or rebooting the Exchange server?

Thanks!

Improve this question

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
2

but when are those changes committed to the .edb (the database) itself? Is it done at a set time, or randomly when Exchange isn't 'busy'?

They're actually being committed all the time. The reason the logs since the last backup are kept is to facilitate a roll-forward of the database.

Say your database and your logs are on different volumes, and some cosmic rays destroy your database volume. You will then restore your databases from the most recent backup.. but it's missing everything that happened since that backup.

That's what the logs are for - you can then apply them to the restored database in order to bring it up to date with the state of the database right before the crash.

that means if backups aren't run on an Exchange server, lets just say this is the case, logs won't ever be flushed. So how could you get rid of them?

If you're not running backups, the only good the logs are doing you is allowing DAG replication (which pulls and replays current logs as they're created). You're right in thinking that by default, the logs will build up forever.

That's why Circular Logging can be enabled; the logs will then be deleted as soon as they've been written to all of the DAG partners they need to be written to.

Improve this answer
14
  • So the only way to get rid of logs without manual deletion is to actually run an Exchange aware backup?
    – PnP
    Aug 31, 2012 at 18:41
  • @TheD Or enable circular logging.
    – Shane Madden
    Aug 31, 2012 at 18:42
  • So Circular Logging - if we had no DAG partners - changes made would be written to a log, committed to the EDB, then the next transaction log would simply overwrite the previous one that was just written to the database?
    – PnP
    Aug 31, 2012 at 18:44
  • @TheD They'll still have incrementing file names, and you may have several at one time, but yes, they'll be deleted automatically in short order.
    – Shane Madden
    Aug 31, 2012 at 18:46
  • 1
    @TheD, you would and should never manually delete the Exchange transaction logs. Either have them flushed as part of your backup routine or enable circular logging.
    – joeqwerty
    Aug 31, 2012 at 19:02
1

All DB related logs, wherever you choose to store them, (ideally different disk than the DB) are kept regardless of you mounting/dismounting DB. They're being removed only by backup process or (which is not recommended generally) if you switch the logging to circular. If the backup is never run, the logs folder will keep growing. You can (which is not recommended) to remove the logs manually, by stopping the DB, running eseutil /mh (I think) command, which will show you the state of the DB and the last applied Log. From which down, you can delete. However, why bother? No normal backup software? Just use Microsoft's Backup which is included with the server and exchange-aware.

Improve this answer
1

In addition to the answers posted already:

The Exchange transaction logs, which are logs related to the mailbox databases, can/will be flushed as part of your backup process if you're backing up the mailbox databases with an Exchange aware backup program that is configured to flush the transaction logs.

As for the other logs related to Exchange (Transport Role logs), which are the logs related to incoming email, outgoing email, and the various other transport roles, those aren't flushed as part of your mailbox database backup process. The default age for those logs is 30 days. The default size for those logs is 10MB and the default log directory size is 250MB.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .