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Detailing steps to move the default mailbox database in Exchange 2013.

When Exchange is installed, the database and log files will be located on the default path “C:Program FilesMicrosoftExchange ServerV15MailboxMailbox Database”.

I performed installation on the D drive hence it has taken the default path as “D:ExchangeServerV15MailboxMailboxdatabase0846134222”. Normally
default path is not recommended. We can either delete the default database and create the new one or rename default database as per the naming standards of our organization and move the database and log files to different drive.

Before moving the database and log files we need to conscious on the below points:

• Estimated Time to complete the for database and log file move depending on the factors like size of the database, storage speed etc
  
• Account using to move should have required permissions assigned.
  
• Database will be dismounted during the move
  
• Should not move during the backup.
  
• Should not follow for the databases which replicates within a DAG
  
• Database replication must be disabled for all copies.
  
• Circular logging should be disabled
  

NOE: We cannot use EAC to move the mailbox database path.

First step is to create a database in a location of your choice using the New-MailboxDatabase cmdlet or through EAC.

Now, move all Arbitration mailboxes from the database follow the steps detailed in:

Unable to delete Exchange database – This mailbox database contains one or more mailboxes: https://msexchangeguru.com/2013/04/18/arbitration-mailboxes/

To move Arbitration mailboxes from Exchange 2010 to Exchange 2013:

Get-MailboxDatabase -IncludePreExchange2013 | FL Name,Server,AdminDisplayVersion

Get-Mailbox -Arbitration | New-MoveRequest -TargetDatabase <NewDatabaseinExchange2013>

To Move Database and log file path for *any* database:

Use the below command to note any replay lag or truncation lag settings for all copies of the mailbox database being moved

        Get-MailboxDatabase Database12013 | FL *lag*

Disable the circular logging if it is enabled:

        Set-MailboxDatabase Database12013 -CircularLoggingEnabled $false

Remove all mailbox database copies for the database being moved if any. In my example I don't have any database copies

        Remove-MailboxDatabaseCopy -Identity Database12013 -Confirm:$False

Move the database path

        Move-DatabasePath -Identity Database12013 -EdbFilePath E:DB1Database1Database12013.edb

To move both database and log file path together.

        Move-Databasepath -Identity Database12013 -EdbFilePath E:DB1Database1Database12013.edb –LogFolderpath E:DB1Database1

To verify the if movement is successful and database is mounted to access:

Get-MailboxDatabase -Identity Database12013 | FL Name,*Path*

Get-MailboxDatabase –Status “Database12013” |FL Name,Mounted

Test-MAPIConnectivity –Database “Database12013”

Ratish Nair

Microsoft MVP | Exchange Server

Team @MSExchangeGuru.com

Posted November 20th, 2014 under Database Management, Exchange 2013. RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback.