MCTS 70-662 Rapid Review: Installing and Configuring Exchange Servers

  • 3/15/2012
Contents

Objective 1.4: Create and Configure databases

In this exam objective, you might be tested on setting database limits and retention limits. You need to know what role-based access control (RBAC) permissions are required for database creation, and how to create new mailbox databases, move the mailbox database and transaction log locations, and configure mailbox database settings. You also need to know how to create and manage public folder databases, set the default public folder database, and configure public folder database settings. You need to be able to maintain, mount, and dismount databases.

Exam need to know

  • Set database limits

    For example: Do you know how to configure a size limit for a mailbox database?

  • Set retention limits

    For example: Do you know how to configure deleted item retention times?

  • Set RBAC permissions for database creation

    For example: Do you know what RBAC role membership you need to create a mailbox database?

  • Naming conventions

    For example: Do you know how to specify the default database name that is created when you install the Mailbox server role?

  • Create and use GUI and Windows PowerShell

    For example: Do you know how to create a new mailbox database by using the appropriate EMC wizard?

  • Create and manage public folder databases

    For example: Do you know how to create a new public folder database?

  • Set Default Public Folder Database

    For example: Do you know how to specify a default public folder database for a mailbox database?

  • Maintenance

    For example: Do you know how to configure a database maintenance schedule?

  • Mount and dismount databases

    For example: Do you know how to dismount a database?

  • Create new mailbox databases

    For example: Do you know how to use the EMS to create a mailbox database?

  • Configure mailbox database settings

    For example: Do you know how to configure the warning quota for a mailbox database?

  • Move the mailbox database and transaction log locations

    For example: Do you know how to specify a new path to the database file and move the file to the new location?

  • Configure public folder database settings

    For example: Do you know how to configure the quota notification schedule for all public folders in a public folder database?

Set database limits

You should be aware that Exchange Server 2010 stores mailboxes and public folders in Exchange databases and that Mailbox servers can contain both public folder and mailbox databases. Each database is stored in a single Extensible Storage Engine database (.edb) file.

True or false? You can use the EMC to configure database size limits.

Answer: False. You can configure options by using the database Properties dialog box in the EMC. The Limits tab lets you specify the limits at which warning messages are sent, Send is prohibited, and Send and Receive are prohibited. It does not, however, let you specify the size limit for the mailbox database.

True or false? You can use the EMS to configure database size limits.

Answer: False. To do this, you need to configure the registry of the server running Exchange Server 2010 that hosts the database. You need to know the database GUID, which you can obtain by using the EMS Get-MailboxDatabase cmdlet. You then use the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) to locate and edit the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS
\<server name> \Private-<database GUID>

MORE INFO

To learn more about modifying database size limits, consult the TechNet document at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb232092.aspx.

Set retention limits

The exam might test that you know how to set retention limits such as the deleted items and deleted mailboxes retention limits. You should also know what steps to take to configure a database so that items are not deleted until the database has been backed up. You can configure these settings by accessing the Limits tab of the database Properties dialog box.

True or false? You can use the EMS to configure database properties.

Answer: True. For example, the following command configures a deleted item retention time of 14 days for the mailbox database MyMailboxDatabase:

Set-MailboxDatabase -Identity "MyMailboxDatabase"
-DeletedItemRetention 14.00:00:00

Set RBAC permissions for database creation

You should be aware that to create mailbox or public folder databases, you need to be (at least) a member of the Organizational Management RBAC role group. Members of this role group have administrative access to the entire Exchange 2010 organization and can perform any task against any Exchange 2010 object, except for mailbox searches and management of top-level management roles. You also need to be a member of the Server Management RBAC role group on the Mailbox server on which you are creating the database. Members of this role group can configure server-specific mailbox features, such as database copies, certificates, transport queues, Send connectors, virtual directories, and client access protocols.

MORE INFO

To learn more about mailbox permissions, consult the TechNet document at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd638132.aspx.

Naming conventions

You should be aware that you can use the MdbName parameter with the setup.com command to enter the default database name that is created when you install the Mailbox server role. This name must be unique within the organization. It is good practice to ensure that database names meet your organization’s naming convention. Naming conventions make it easier to identify objects in your organization.

For example, to specify the default database name MailboxDatabase01, you would use the following command:

Setup.com /mode: Install /roles: Mailbox /MdbName:. MailboxDatabase01

Create and use GUI and Windows PowerShell

The exam might test that you can use the EMC New Mailbox Database Wizard or New Public Folder Database Wizard to create a mailbox database and a public folder database, respectively. Similarly, you should know how to use the EMS New-MailboxDatabase and New-PublicFolderDatabase cmdlets to perform the same tasks. Creating mailbox and public folder databases are discussed later in this Objective. You can edit the properties of mailbox or public folder databases by accessing the Properties dialog box for the relevant database or by using the EMS Set-MailboxDatabase and Set-PublicFolderDatabase cmdlets. With the Move Database Path Wizard, you can change a database location, as you can with the EMS Move-DatabasePath cmdlet.

Create and manage public folder databases

You should know that a public folder database is an Exchange database that stores public folders and system folders, and assists in the replication of the folders with other Exchange servers. A Mailbox server can host a maximum of one public folder database. Exchange Server 2010 supports public folder functionality. You need to configure public folders if your clients are using IMAP4 or WebDAV clients such as Entourage or Microsoft Outlook 2003 SP1 (or earlier). You need to be granted the Exchange Organization Administrator role and be a member of the Local Administrators group on the target server to create and manage a public folder database.

True or false? You can use the New-PublicFolderDatabase cmdlet to create a public folder database.

Answer: True. You can use either the New Public Folder Database Wizard in the EMC or the EMS New-PublicFolderDatabase cmdlet to create a public folder database. For example, the following command creates a public folder database named My Public Folder Database and specifies its file path and log file path:

New-PublicFolderDatabase -Name "My Public Folder Database"
-EdbFilePath "C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\MailboxPublicDatabase.edb" -LogFolderPath "D:\ExchangeDatabases\Public\LogsPublicDatabase"

MORE INFO

To learn more about using public folder scripts, consult the TechNet document at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa997966.aspx.

True or false? Removing user or system public folders from a public folder database by using the EMS is a two-stage procedure.

Answer: True. You first need to identify the public folder by using the EMS Get-PublicFolder cmdlet and pipe the result into the EMS Remove-PublicFolder cmdlet. The following command removes all user public folders from the public folder database on the mailbox server VAN-EX1:

Get-PublicFolder -Server VAN-EX1 "\" -Recurse -ResultSize:Unlimited |
Remove-PublicFolder -Server VAN-EX1 -Recurse -ErrorAction:SilentlyContinue

The following command removes all system public folders from the public folder database on the mailbox server VAN-EX1:

Get-PublicFolder -Server VAN-EX1 "\Non_Ipm_Subtree" -Recurse
-ResultSize:Unlimited | Remove-PublicFolder -Server VAN-EX1 -Recurse
-ErrorAction:SilentlyContinue

MORE INFO

To learn more about the Get-PublicFolder and Remove-PublicFolder cmdlets, including a description of the parameters used in the previous two commands, consult the TechNet documents at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa997615.aspx and http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124894.aspx.

Set default public folder database

You should be aware that each mailbox database is configured with a default public folder database. MAPI client applications such as Outlook 2010 open a connection to the default public folder database and perform operations that include viewing, creating, and deleting public folders against the server that contains that database. You need to know when it is necessary or advisable to change the default public folder database for a mailbox database. For example, in a coexistence scenario, you might need to change the default public folder database if your public folder database and your mailbox database are associated with different versions of Exchange.

True or false? You can use the New-MailboxDatabase command to change the default public folder database associated with a mailbox database.

Answer: False. You can specify a default public folder database on the Client Settings tab of the mailbox database Properties dialog box. You can also use the Set-MailboxDatabase (not the New-MailboxDatabase) cmdlet. For example, the following command specifies the public folder database PFDB01 as the default public folder database for mailbox database MailDatabase01:

Set-MailboxDatabase -Identity "MailDatabase01"
-PublicFolderDatabase "PBDB01"

MORE INFO

To learn more about specifying a default public folder database, consult the TechNet document at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb629522.aspx.

Maintenance

To ensure that your databases continue to operate efficiently, Microsoft recommends that you perform nightly maintenance on mailbox databases and public folder databases. Exchange Mailbox servers automate the maintenance tasks, such as the removal of items that have passed their retention period, the removal of unused indexes, and other cleanup tasks, but the exam might test that you know how to set the maintenance schedule.

True or false? There is no Maintenance tab in the Properties dialog box for a public folder database.

Answer: True. You set the maintenance schedule for a public folder database on the General tab. For a mailbox database, you use the Maintenance tab. You can also use the Set-MailboxDatabase or Set-PublicFolderDatabase cmdlet as appropriate. For example, the following command sets the database schedule for the mailbox database MailDatabase01 on Server MBX01 to run between 02:00 and 04:00 hours on Sundays and Wednesdays:

Set-MailboxDatabase -Identity "MBX01\MailDatabase01"
-MaintenanceSchedule "Sun.2:00-Sun.4:00","Wed.2:00-Wed.4:00"

MORE INFO

To learn more about specifying a maintenance schedule for a mailbox database, consult the TechNet document at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb691410.aspx.

Mount and dismount databases

The exam might test that you know how to mount and dismount a mailbox database. You should be aware that mounting a mailbox database enables it to be used to provision new mailboxes.

True or false? When you use the EMS to create a new mailbox database, you can specify that it is mounted when it is created.

Answer: False. When you use the EMC to create a mailbox database, you would typically specify that it is mounted when it is created. However, if you use the New-MailboxDatabase cmdlet to create a mailbox database, you need to mount it after it is created. You can use the EMS Mount-Database cmdlet to do this. For example, the following command mounts the mailbox database MyMailboxDatabase:

Mount-Database –Identity MyMailboxDatabase.

The following command dismounts the mailbox database MyMailboxDatabase:

Dismount-Database –Identity MyMailboxDatabase

EXAM TIP

Remember that the New-MailboxDatabase cmdlet syntax requires the Name parameter, whereas the syntax of cmdlets to configure, mount, dismount, or remove a database requires the Identity parameter.

MORE INFO

To learn more about the Remove-MailboxDatabase cmdlet, consult the TechNet document at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa997931.aspx.

Create new mailbox databases

You should know how to create a mailbox database by running the New Mailbox Database Wizard from the EMC and specifying the database name, the server on which it resides, the location of the database file path, the location of the log folder path, and whether the database should be mounted when it is created. Mounting puts the database online so that its contents are available to users

True or false? You can create a mailbox database by using the EMS.

Answer: True. You can create a mailbox database by using the New-Mailbox Database cmdlet. For example, the following command creates the mailbox database MyMailboxDatabase on server VAN-EX1 and specifies the .edb database file path and the log folder path:

New-MailboxDatabase -Name "MyMailboxDatabase" –Server VAN-EX1
–EdbFilePath C:\MyDatabaseFiles\MyMailboxDatabase.edb
-LogFolderPath D:\MyDatabaseFiles\LogFolder

MORE INFO

To learn more about the New-MailboxDatabase cmdlet, consult the TechNet document at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa997976.aspx.

True or false? You can use either the EMC or the EMS to remove a mailbox database.

Answer: True. To use the EMC, you click Mailbox under Organization Configuration. In the Work pane, click the mailbox database that you want to remove, and then in the Actions pane, click Remove. In the EMS, you use the Remove-MailboxDatabase cmdlet. For example, the following command removes the mailbox database MyMailboxDatabase:

Remove-MailboxDatabase –Identity MyMailboxDatabase

Configure mailbox database settings

The exam might check that you know how to set the following storage limits: Issue warning at (MB); Prohibit send at (MB); and Prohibit send and receive at (MB). You also need to know what steps you need to take to customize the Warning message interval, which is the time at which mailboxes are scanned for compliance with their storage limits. Other settings such as deleted item retention time and default public folder database are discussed elsewhere in this Objective.

True or false? You can use the Set-MailboxDatabase cmdlet to configure mailbox database settings.

Answer: True. You can use the EMC to access the database Properties dialog box or use the EMS Set-MailboxDatabase cmdlet. For example, the following command sets the warning quota to 600 MB, the prohibit send quota to 750 MB, and the prohibit send and receive quota to 950 MB on the mailbox database My MailboxDatabase:

Set-MailboxDatabase –Identity "My MailboxDatabase" -IssueWarningQuota 600MB
-ProhibitSendQuota -750MB ProhibitSendReceiveQuota 950MB

MORE INFO

To learn more about configuring mailbox database properties, consult the TechNet document at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd297937.aspx.

Move the mailbox database and transaction log locations

You need to know that each mailbox database has a single set of transaction logs that record changes. Their primary function is to ensure that Exchange Server 2010 follows the Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability model for databases. Each individual database and its transaction logs are by default stored in the same folder—but in a different folder from all other databases. By default, the folders that hold the databases are stored in the folder path C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange\Server\v14\Mailbox.

EXAM TIP

In Exchange Server 2010, each database must have its own set of transaction logs. If you see an answer in the 70-622 examination that proposes shared transaction logs or a storage group, then you can reject this answer.

True or false? You can use the Set-MailboxDatabase cmdlet to configure the database and transaction logs location.

Answer: False. In the EMC, you can right-click the database, and then click Move Database Path. You can also use the EMS Move-DatabasePath (not the Set-Mailbox Database) cmdlet. For example, the following command configures a new path for the location of the mailbox database MyMailDatabase01 and moves the related files to that location:

Move-DatabasePath -Identity MyMailDatabase01
-EdbFilePath C:\MyFolder\ MyMailDatabase01.edb

MORE INFO

To learn more about moving the mailbox database path, consult the TechNet document at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd351168.aspx.

Configure public folder database settings

You should be aware that you can access the Properties dialog box for a public folder database through the EMC. This provides access to the General, Replication, Limits, and Public Folder Referral tabs. You should also know how to use the EMS to obtain and modify public folder database settings.

True or false? You can use the EMS to obtain but not to modify public folder database settings

Answer: False. You can use the EMC or the EMS to configure public folder database settings. The EMS Get-PublicFolderDatabase cmdlet can obtain the settings for all public folder databases in an Exchange 2010 organization or for a specified public folder database. For example, the following command lists the settings for all public folder databases in an Exchange organization:

Get-PublicFolderDatabase | fl

The following command lists the properties of the public folder database MyPublicFolderDatabase on the server ServerA:

Get-PublicFolderDatabase -Identity "ServerA\MyPublicFolderDatabase"

With the EMS Set-PublicFolderDatabase cmdlet, you can configure public server database settings. For example, the following command sets the issue warning quota to 2,000 MB and configures the quota notification schedule for all public folders in the public folder database named MyPublicFolderDatabase:

Set-PublicFolderDatabase -Identity MyPublicFolderDatabase
-IssueWarningQuota 2000MB -QuotaNotificationSchedule "Mon.3:00 AM-Mon.3:20
AM, Wed.3:00 AM-Wed.3:20 AM, Fri.3:00 AM-Fri.3:20 AM"

MORE INFO

To learn more about the Get-PublicFolderDatabase and Set-Public FolderDatabase cmdlets, consult the TechNet documents at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998827.aspx and http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa997225.aspx.

Can you answer these questions?

You can find the answers to these questions at the end of this chapter.

  1. You have used the New-MailboxDatabase cmdlet to create a mailbox database called Finance on the server DEN-EX2. You want to enable this mailbox database to be used to provision new mailboxes. What EMS command do you issue?

  2. You want to ensure that mailboxes in a mailbox database are retained for six weeks after deletion. What EMS cmdlet and parameter should you use to do this?

  3. You want to set the default public folder database for the mailbox database named HRD Mail to the database HRD-DB on server GLAS-MBX1. What EMS command do you issue?

  4. You want to ensure that the mailbox database named Manufacturing undergoes the removal of items that have passed their retention period, the removal of unused indexes, and other cleanup tasks. You want to schedule these operations so that they occur every Saturday between 10:15 and 11:45 PM. What EMS command do you issue?

  5. You need to move the transaction log files for a specified mailbox. What EMS cmdlet do you use to carry this out?

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