Sunday, February 20, 2005

Exchange Event ID 1221 represents ONLY the white space in the EDB file

After a recent posting here, someone asked me about Event ID 1221 and if that is the total amount of white space (free space) in both the EDB and the STM files. I had to do some research and ask around to get a definitive answer (thanks Andy D. for confirming!). Plus, as usual, I tested it on a test server. Here is a cut-and-paste copy of an event from one of my test servers:

Event Type: Information
Event Source: MSExchangeIS Mailbox Store
Event Category: General
Event ID: 1221
Date: 2/20/2005 Time: 1:03:37 AM
User: N/AComputer: KILAUEA
Description:The database "First Storage Group\Mailbox Store (KILAUEA)" has 1312 megabytes of free space after online defragmentation has terminated.

The message insinuates that there is 1312MB of free space in the store, but in reality there is 1312MB of free space in the EDB file only. The STM file is NOT reported. This is true for both Exchange 2000 and 2003. No word on whether Exchange 12 will address this.

However, if you run an offline compaction (ESEUTIL /D), this defrags both the EDB file and the STM file.

1 Comments:

At 3:03 AM, Blogger Valbruna said...

To get a good picture, refer to kb:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q195914/
and specifically this section:

To obtain a closer estimate, you may stop the database and generate a detailed report on free space by typing the following at a command prompt: ESEUTIL.EXE /MS [database.edb] > FREESPACE.TXT

Even on a large database, this procedure will require only a few minutes of downtime.

Note The /MS switch is available only in Exchange Server 5.5 Service Pack 1 or later versions of Exchange.

Rgds,
J.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home