2. Module Overview
• Exchange Server mailbox databases
• Exchange Server storage
• Configuring Exchange Server mailbox databases
and storage
3. Lesson 1: Exchange Server mailbox databases
• Mailbox databases in Exchange Server
• How mailbox databases are updated
• Database log considerations
• Search indexes in Exchange Server
• How clients perform mailbox searches
4. Mailbox databases in Exchange Server
• Mailbox stores in Exchange Server consist of the
following files:
• Mailbox database (.edb file)
• Transaction log (.log file)
• Checkpoint file (.chk)
• Temporary file (Tmp.edb)
• Reserve log files (E##res0001.jrs - E##res000A.log per
database, where ## is the log prefix)
• Administrators rarely interact directly with these
files, except during backup and restore procedures
6. Database log considerations
• Each change performed in a mailbox database must be logged in the
transaction log file before it is committed to the database
• Each transaction log file is 1 MB in size
• Transaction log files are not deleted automatically
• Circular logging is recommended only in Exchange Native Data Protection
deployments
• Follow these guidelines for log files:
• Regularly perform Exchange Server backups
• On standalone servers, move transaction logs to a dedicated drive (does not
apply if you are using DAGs)
• Place transaction log files on a redundant disk array
• Ensure enough free disk space is available on the disk
• Do not use compression on the volume with the logs
• Regularly monitor DAG replication
7. Search indexes in Exchange Server
The search technology in Exchange Server 2019
provides the following improvements:
• One Storage and high availability system for both data and
the index
• Storing indexes in the metacache database, which is
located on SSD disks
• 50% less search latency
• Memory is allocated to active database copies only
• Indexes are now stored in user’s mailboxes
8. How clients perform mailbox searches
Each Outlook client searches for mailbox data
content differently
• Outlook in cache mode:
• Initially searches only the cached content data
• Provides link to search Exchange Server data
• Only searches cached content when offline
• Outlook in online mode, Outlook on the web, and Outlook
Mobile:
• Search Exchange Server data
• Do not have search available when offline
9. Lesson 2: Exchange Server storage
• Storage options for Exchange Server
• Storage considerations for Exchange Server
• MCDB in Exchange Server 2019
10. Storage options for Exchange Server
• DAS
• Low-cost solution
• Easy implementation
• Distributed failure points
• SAN
• Highly scalable
• Multiple servers attached
• Enhanced backup, recovery, and availability
11. Storage considerations for Exchange Server
• Replicated database copies increase the amount of storage
space required
• Use SSD drives combined with JBOD
• Memory used by databases is automatically allocated
• Indexes are now stored in user’s mailboxes
• Slower disks cost much less per GB than faster disks
• DAS is less expensive than a SAN
• You can consider JBOD if you have three or more replicas of a
database in a DAG. Some organizations have a significant
investment in SANs for all server storage
• Use RAID to increase the redundancy of the disk system if there
are less than four database copies in a DAG
12. MCDB in Exchange Server 2019
MCDB provides the following benefits:
• Indexes are stored in the database and copied to the
metacache database
• Lower performance cost and reduced CPU usage
because the index is created only once and then
replicated
• Reduced memory
• 50 percent faster search and logon, and less IOPS
• Two to three times faster mail access
• 20 percent more user load possible on the same
server, as compared to previous Exchange Server
versions
13. Lesson 3: Configuring Exchange Server mailbox databases and
storage
• Creating and managing mailbox databases and
logs
• Configuring MCDB in Exchange Server 2019
• Configuring iSCSI for Exchange Server
• Demonstration: Configuring iSCSI storage
• Demonstration: Creating and managing mailbox
databases
14. Creating and managing mailbox databases and logs
• You can create and manage mailbox databases by using
the Exchange admin center or Exchange Management
Shell
• You use the Exchange admin center is used for basic
management
• You use the Exchange Management Shell is used for
advanced mailbox database management
• You cannot use the Exchange admin center to move
mailbox databases
• Useful Exchange Management Shell cmdlets include:
• New-MailboxDatabase
• Get-MailboxDatabase
• Set-MailboxDatabase
• Move-DatabasePath
15. Configuring MCDB in Exchange Server 2019
The MCDB setup consists of the following steps:
1. Configure the Active Directory state for the DAG
object
2. Set the local state on each DAG member to
allow metacache database population and read
acceleration
3. Format SSD devices and create the necessary
mount points on a server for hosting metacache
database instances
16. Configuring iSCSI for Exchange Server
• iSCSI is a protocol that supports access to remote,
SCSI-based storage devices over a TCP/IP network
• iSCSI SAN deployments include:
• IP network
• iSCSI targets
• iSCSI initiators
• iSCSI IQN
• iSCSI Target Servers in Windows Server 2012 and newer
server OS include:
• Network/diskless boot
• Server application storage
• Heterogeneous storage
• Lab environments
18. Demonstration: Creating and managing mailbox
databases
In this demonstration, you will see how to create
and manage mailbox databases
19. Lab: Configuring Exchange Server storage
• Exercise 1: Creating and configuring mailbox
databases
Logon Information
Virtual machines: 20345-1B-LON-DC1
20345-1B-LON-EX1
User name: AdatumAdministrator
Password: Pa55w.rd
Estimated Time: 45 minutes
20. Lab Scenario
After performing a test deployment, Adatum
Corporation is now planning the deployment of
Exchange Server in a production environment.
After the deployment, you need to configure the
storage attached to the servers, and then
configure the mailbox databases.
21. Lab Review
• Can you move existing mailbox databases to a
different path by using the Exchange admin
center?
• Why would you choose to use SATA drives instead
of a SAN or SCSI drives for your Mailbox servers?
22. Module Review and Takeaways
• Review Question
• Tools
• Best Practices
Editor's Notes
Presentation: 60 minutes
Lab: 45 minutes
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Describe the features of Microsoft Exchange Server mailbox databases.
Explain the storage options available for Exchange Server.
Configure Exchange Server mailbox databases and storage.
Required materials
To teach this module, you need the Microsoft PowerPoint file 20345-1B_02.pptx.
Preparation tasks
To prepare for this module, you should:
Read all of this module’s materials.
Practice performing the demonstrations and labs.
Work through the Module Review and Takeaways section to determine how you will use the information to reinforce student learning and promote knowledge transfer to on-the-job performance.
As you prepare for this class, it is imperative that you complete the labs yourself. This gives you an understanding of how the labs work and the concepts that each covers, so that you can provide meaningful hints to students who might have issues. Furthermore, it will help guide your lecture to ensure that you discuss the concepts that the labs cover.
Provide an overview of the module.
Provide an overview of the lesson.
Question
What are the benefits of the search technology in Exchange Server 2019?
Answer
The search technology in Exchange Server 2019 provides the following improvements:
One storage and high-availability system for both data and the index.
Storing indexes in the metacache database, which is located on SSD disks that provide much faster access as compared to JBOD drives. This approach provides 50 percent less search latency as compared to previous Exchange Server versions.
Memory is allocated to active database copies only, because passive database copies do not need the same amount of memory.
Indexes are now stored in users’ mailboxes. The new search technology deploys indexes of the data in each user mailbox. Indexes are created on the active mailbox database copy and replicated to the passive mailbox database copies. This approach provides better performance as compared to earlier Exchange Server versions.
Question
Which of the following settings are recommended in the Exchange Server 2019 preferred architecture?
( ) Option 1: Enable circular logging.
( ) Option 2: Disable circular logging.
( ) Option 3: Do not perform backups; use Exchange Native Data Protection instead.
( ) Option 4: Store databases and transaction logs on separate disks.
( ) Option 5: Use SSD drives along with JBOD drives.
Answer
(√ ) Option 1: Enable circular logging.
( ) Option 2: Disable circular logging.
(√ ) Option 3: Do not perform backups; use Exchange Native Data Protection instead.
( ) Option 4: Store databases and transaction logs on separate disks.
(√ ) Option 5: Use SSD drives along with JBOD drives.
Describe the mailbox store in Exchange Server. Introduce the files that make up the Exchange Server mailbox store. Explain the purpose of each file.
Discuss the process that the Mailbox server uses when it receives data, as follows:
The Mailbox server receives the message.
The Mailbox server writes the message to the current transaction log and memory cache simultaneously.
Note: If the current transaction log reaches 1 megabyte (MB) of storage, Exchange Server renames it and creates a new current transaction log.
The Mailbox server writes the transaction from memory cache to the appropriate database.
The Mailbox server updates the checkpoint file to indicate that the transaction was committed successfully to the database.
Clients can access and read the message in the database.
If time permits, identify the files from the previous slide that each step of this process affects.
Discuss transaction log files. Explain why these files are important, and describe their role in backup and restore procedures. In addition, describe circular logging and the scenarios in which it is recommended.
Explain the differences in search technology in Exchange Server 2019 and previous versions.
Describe to the students the different scenarios in which Outlook searches mailbox content data.
Provide an overview of the lesson.
Question
What are the benefits of MCDB in Exchange Server 2019?
Answer
The MCDB feature, together with the index search and dynamic cache functionalities provide the following benefits:
Content and indexes are stored in the database. There are no separate indexes for each database copy. The active mailbox database copy creates the index and replicates it to the passive database copies.
Performance cost and CPU usage are lower because the index is created only once and then replicated.
Memory usage is lower because active mailbox database copies reclaim memory from inactive mailbox database copies.
Search and logon are 50 percent faster and IOPS is 50 percent lower.
Mail access is two to three times faster.
A server can have 20 percent more user load as compared to previous Exchange Server versions.
Question
MCDB works only if SSD disks are used together with JBOD disks.
( ) False
( ) True
Answer
( ) False
(√ ) True
Feedback
Exchange Server 2019 stores the metacache database on SSD disks. If the SSD disks fail, then Exchange Server continues to work with JBOD drives, but in the same way as in previous versions of Exchange Server, i.e. it doesn’t use MCDB.
Lead a discussion about disk storage options and technologies. The students should understand the general advantages and disadvantages of each major technology. The basic concepts are the same across all implementations of these technologies.
Stress that because the Exchange Server 2019 disk I/O requirements are lower than in previous Exchange Server versions, more storage options are available. Explain that an organization should ensure that its storage option meets its business and technical requirements for the Exchange Server deployment. Tools are available to approximate usage patterns, such as Mailbox server Role Requirements Calculator, Load Simulator, and Jetstress. Explain that you can use these tools to test the suitability of various hardware configurations in your environment.
Describe the MetaCacheDatabase (MCDB) functionality in Exchange Server 2019 and provide information about the benefits for Exchange Server performance and user experience.
Provide an overview of the lesson.
Question
What are the steps for configuring MCDB?
Answer
The MCDB setup consists of the following steps:
Configure the Active Directory state for the DAG object.
Set the local state on each DAG member to allow metacache database population and read acceleration.
Format SSD devices and create the necessary mount points on a server for hosting metacache database instances.
Question
When you create a mailbox database from the Exchange admin center, you need to specify the mailbox database name, the server that will host the database, and paths for the database file and logs.
( ) False
( ) True
Answer
( ) False
(√ ) True
Feedback
Yes, the mailbox database name, the server that will host the database, and paths for the database file and logs are the mandatory settings you must provide when a database is created. You can configure additional settings once the database is created.
Explain how you can create and manage mailbox databases in the Exchange admin center and in the Exchange Management Shell. Emphasize that you cannot perform advanced configuration and management in the Exchange admin center. Describe the purpose of the most important cmdlets that you use for Mailbox server management.
Describe the steps to enable and configure the MCDB feature in Exchange Server.
Define Internet small computer system interface (iSCSI). Describe the benefits of using iSCSI storage. Describe components of the iSCSI solution, and then discuss the iSCSI target that Windows Server 2012 and later operating systems include.
Leave the virtual machines running for the subsequent demonstration.
Preparation Steps
To perform this demonstration, you need to start the 20345-1B-LON-DC1 and 20345-1B-LON-EX1 virtual machines. Sign in to the virtual machines as Adatum\Administrator with the password Pa55w.rd.
Demonstration Steps
On LON-DC1, from the taskbar, start Server Manager, click Manage, and then click Add Roles and Features.
In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, on the Before you begin page, click Next.
On the Select installation type page, click Next.
On the Select destination server page, make sure that Select a server from the server pool is selected, and then click Next.
On the Select server roles page, expand File And Storage Services (2 of 12 installed), expand File and iSCSI Services (1 of 11 installed), select the iSCSI Target Server check box, and then click Next.
On the Select features page, click Next.
On the Confirm installation selections page, click Install.
When the installation is complete, click Close.
On LON-DC1, in Server Manager, in the navigation pane, click File and Storage Services.
In the File and Storage Services pane, click iSCSI.
In the iSCSI VIRTUAL DISKS pane, click TASKS, and then in the TASKS drop-down list box, select New iSCSI Virtual Disk.
In the New iSCSI Virtual Disk Wizard, on the Select iSCSI virtual disk location page, under Storage location, click C:, and then click Next.
On the Specify iSCSI virtual disk name page, in the Name box, type iSCSIDisk1, and then click Next.
On the Specify iSCSI virtual disk size page, in the Size box, type 2, make sure GB is selected in the drop-down list box, and then click Next.
On the Assign iSCSI target page, click New iSCSI target, and then click Next.
On the Specify target name page, in the Name box, type LON-EX1, and then click Next.
On the Specify access servers page, click Add.
In the Select a method to identify the initiator dialog box, click Browse. In the Select Computer window, type LON-EX1, click Check Names, click OK, and then click OK again.
On the Specify access servers page, click Next.
On the Enable Authentication page, click Next.
On the Confirm selections page, click Create.
On the View results page, wait until the creation is completed, and then click Close.
In the iSCSI VIRTUAL DISKS pane, click TASKS, and then in the TASKS drop-down list box, select New iSCSI Virtual Disk.
In the New iSCSI Virtual Disk Wizard, on the Select iSCSI virtual disk location page, under Storage location, click C:, and then click Next.
On the Specify iSCSI virtual disk name page, in the Name box, type iSCSIDisk2, and then click Next.
On the Specify iSCSI virtual disk size page, in the Size box, type 500, make sure MB is selected in the drop-down list box, and then click Next.
On the Assign iSCSI target page, click lon-ex1, and then click Next.
On the Confirm selections page, click Create.
On the View results page, wait until the creation is completed, and then click Close.
Switch to the LON-EX1 computer.
On LON-EX1, click Start, click Server Manager, click Tools, and then click iSCSI Initiator.
In the Microsoft iSCSI dialog box, click Yes.
Click the Discovery tab.
Click Discover Portal.
In the IP address or DNS name box, type 172.16.0.10, and then click OK.
Click the Targets tab.
Click Refresh.
In the Targets list, select iqn.1991-05.com.microsoft:lon-dc1-lon-ex1-target, and then click Connect.
Select Add this connection to the list of Favorite Targets, and then click OK two times.
Please revert all virtual machines after you have completed this demonstration.
Preparation Steps
To perform this demonstration, you need to start the 20345-1B-LON-DC1 and 20345-1B-LON-EX1 virtual machines. These should be running from the previous demonstration. Ensure that you are signed in to the virtual machines as Adatum\Administrator with the password Pa55w.rd.
Demonstration Steps
On LON-EX1, in Server Manager, click Tools, and then click Computer Management.
If necessary, expand Storage, and then click Disk Management.
Right-click Disk 1, and then click Online.
Right-click Disk 1, and then click Initialize disk. In the Initialize Disk dialog box, click OK.
Right-click the unallocated space next to Disk 1, and then click New Simple Volume.
On the Welcome to the New Simple Volume Wizard page, click Next.
On the Specify Volume Size page, click Next.
On the Assign Drive Letter or Path page, click Next.
On the Format Partition page, in the Volume Label box, type DB2. Select the Perform a quick format check box, and then click Next.
Click Finish. (Note: If the Microsoft Windows window pops up with a prompt to format the disk, click Cancel.)
Repeat steps 3 through 10 for Disk 2. (Note: Use Logs for Volume Label). Close the Computer Management window.
Open Internet Explorer and navigate to https://lon-ex1.adatum.com/ecp.
Sign in to Exchange Admin Center as Adatum\Administrator with the password of Pa55w.rd and select preferred language and Time zone.
Click servers in the feature pane, and then click the databases tab.
Click New.
In the Database window, type DB2 in the Mailbox database text box.
Click Browse.
In the Select Server window, select LON-EX1, and then click OK.
In the Database file path text box, type: E:\DB2\DB2.edb.
In the Log folder path text box, type F:\Logs\DB2.
Ensure that Mount this database is selected, and click Save. Click OK.
Click Start, click Microsoft Exchange Server 2019, and then click Exchange Management Shell.
In the Exchange Management Shell window, type:
Set-MailboxDatabase –identity DB2 –DeletedItemRetention 20.00:00:00 –CircularLoggingEnabled $true –ProhibitSendQuota 2.2GB
and then press Enter.
Type Dismount-Database –identity DB2, and then press Enter.
Type y, and then press Enter.
Type Mount-Database –identity DB2, and then press Enter.
Exercise 1: Creating and configuring mailbox databases
Currently, the Mailbox server has no locally attached storage for the mailbox database. You have available iSCSI storage for the mailbox databases and logs. These drives will be sufficient for the initial deployment at Adatum, but the organization expects to add several additional iSCSI drives during the deployment. You need to configure Windows Server to connect to the iSCSI drives, and configure storage for the mailbox databases and logs.
You need to modify the location and configuration of the default mailbox database to meet the corporate standards. The database should have a warning limit set to 0.9 gigabytes (GB), prohibit send at 1.0 GB, and prohibit send and receive at 2.2 GB.
In addition to the default mailbox database, you also need to create a new mailbox database to meet the deployment requirements. You should place the new mailbox database on the iSCSI drive and enable circular logging. You also need to set different limits and retention time periods from the default database.
Question
Can you move existing mailbox databases to a different path by using the Exchange admin center?
Answer
No, you can move them only by using the Exchange Management Shell.
Question
Why would you choose to use SATA drives instead of a SAN or SCSI drives for your Mailbox servers?
Answer
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) drives are much less expensive than a storage area network (SAN) or small computer system interface (SCSI) drive for data storage. However, they do have lower performance, at least in part due to slower spindle speeds. Exchange Server makes it possible to consider using lower performing SATA drives because of changes to the store that improves disk performance.
Review Question
Question
What customizations can you make on mailbox databases?
Answer
Mailbox database configuration options include mailbox limits, journaling recipients, default public folder databases, maintenance schedules, and circular logging.
Tools
Windows PowerShell
Exchange Management Shell
Exchange admin center
Best Practices
Where possible, provide high availability for Mailbox servers.
Deploy databases according to Exchange preferred architecture.
To benefit from the MCDB feature, deploy SSD drives along with JBOD.
Use circular logging only on Exchange Servers configured with DAG that use Exchange Native Data Protection.
When choosing a storage technology for Exchange Server, according to the preferred architecture, it’s recommended that you use direct-attached storage (DAS), consisting of SSD and SAS disks.
Encourage students to share tips from their own work environments.
