Exchange 2010 Database

[PaulO99]

Is it possible to take a backup of the Exchange 2010 database and log folders and to use them in a completely new domain set up?

 

The reason I ask is because having upgraded our system last year (from Server 2003 / Exchange 2003 to Server 2008 R2 / Exchange 2010) I am getting error messages regarding the now non-existent Exchange 2003 Server & Public Folders.

 

The new email setup appears to be working fine, all required elements doing their thing but these error 3113 messages are appearing twice an hour.

 

=======================================

There was a problem retrieving the list of public message databases (MDBs) associated with the TLH with GUID "0F6FC9C1-7C30-4E6F-B16B-32B8083D0839". The entry "/DC=local/DC=hps/CN=Configuration/CN=Services/CN=Microsoft Exchange/CN=HPS/CN=Administrative Groups/CN=First Administrative Group/CN=Servers/CN=HPSS02/CN=InformationStore/CN=First Storage Group/CN=Public Folder Store (HPSS02)" was not found in the directory. The item may have been deleted.

 

This problem may resolve itself after directory replication and regular directory maintenence completes.

=======================================

 

I want to implement an email backup solution but am concerned that I will have issues until Exchange is free from errors.

 

Many Thanks

Edited July 31, 2012 by PaulO99
Typos

[sukh]

Do you use PF or is there any requirement for this technical/business? If not then remove PF completly.

[PaulO99]

Public Folders have sub-folders for GFI (which we use) and Internet Newsgroups (which we don't use)

 

System Public Folders have numerous sub-folders but there is no content at the end of each sub-folder penetration.

 

I am in very unfamiliar territory and don't want to do anything that may 'screw up' the mail database but I do want to get rid of all the remnants of Exchange 2010.

[sukh]

To clarify you want to get rid of the 2003 server right?

 

What does the 2003 server currently perform/hold services/roles?

 

Do you have a PF database of 2003, if yes, have you replicated over to 2010?

 

If you have attemtpted to remove 2003 what has been tried/done?

 

In short replicaqte the PF db across then remove 2003

[PaulO99]

To clarify you want to get rid of the 2003 server right?

 

Yes, as the 2003 server is no longer part of the system. I have carried out the process of decommissioning to the point where PFs are removed but that action did not work.

 

What does the 2003 server currently perform/hold services/roles?

Unfortunately, the 2003 server failed - motherboard issues, but most of the decommisioning was already completed

 

Do you have a PF database of 2003, if yes, have you replicated over to 2010?

 

It was replicated over during the original upgrade to Exchange 2010

 

If you have attemtpted to remove 2003 what has been tried/done?

I followed the standard instructions to remove Exchange 2003 from the domain but was unable to get past PF removal, so I just ignored it

 

In short replicaqte the PF db across then remove 2003

The above is why I was hoping it was possible to attach the mail database to an almost virgin system ie fresh install of DCs and Exchange 2010, set up user accounts then attach my backed up mail database

[sukh]

If the 2003 PF DB has been replicated to 2010 then what database do you want to mount on a new server and why?

 

If you are sure that PF DB has been replicated to 2010 from 2003, then why not focus on removing 2003?

 

I assume the 2003 server has been physically disconnected from the LAN due to the crash?

 

How did you attemtp to remove 2003?

[PaulO99]

If the 2003 PF DB has been replicated to 2010 then what database do you want to mount on a new server and why?

 

Herein lies my inexperience in matters Exchange. As the configuration info is in AD I was hoping that a completely new install (DCs and Exchange 2010) would not know about Exchange 2003 and that just connecting to the email database would provide a cleanup.

 

If you are sure that PF DB has been replicated to 2010 from 2003, then why not focus on removing 2003?

I had no problems or errors upgrading from 2003 to 2010, only when it came to the removal of the PFs

 

I assume the 2003 server has been physically disconnected from the LAN due to the crash?

 

Yes.

 

How did you attemtp to remove 2003?

 

Followed the laid down procedure

[sukh]

Which procedure did you follow?

 

What's not clear is how much PF data has been replicated to Exch 2010.

 

I assume the event at the top if this thread is a warning only? If yes, can you filter the event log and check for the oldest and newest entry?

 

What do you mean by " had no problems or errors upgrading from 2003 to 2010, only when it came to the removal of the PFs " ? - Are you trying to remove them now of is your concern only the event listed as the top of the page?

[PaulO99]

Which procedure did you follow?

I used instructions published by Jaap Wesselius. Upgrade Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010 - Part II I have attached a screen dump showing how far I got before I was unable to proceed.

 

What's not clear is how much PF data has been replicated to Exch 2010.

I have attached a screen dump from Exchange 2010 >Toolbox > Public Folder Management Console, may be it will help? Apart from the GFI sub-folders none of the rest have any files.

 

I assume the event at the top if this thread is a warning only? If yes, can you filter the event log and check for the oldest and newest entry?

Someone has cleared the event log without saving and error messages only goes back to April 2012 but I have seen it since we upgraded in August 2011.

 

What do you mean by " had no problems or errors upgrading from 2003 to 2010, only when it came to the removal of the PFs " ? - Are you trying to remove them now of is your concern only the event listed as the top of the page?

 

I am trying to make sure that there are no problems with my Exchange 2010 so that when I implement a specific email backup program there will be no issues. At present somewhere in my AD the system thinks that HPSS02 (Exchange 2003 Server) still exists. I want the system as 'clean' as possible.

[sukh]

As your Exch 2003 server isn't on the network, you have 2 options.

 

1. Recover the server, which means installing the OS, SP, hotfixes, Exch binaries, SP etc... then remove it the supported way via add/remove programs.

2. Use adsiedit and delete the Exch 2003 server from the configuration partition.

 

The 2nd option isn't offcially supported but it does work. The choice is yours.

[PaulO99]

If I use Option 2 is it just deleting HPSS02 from the Computers Container as shown in the attached image?

[sukh]

No, that seems like the Domain partition not the Configuration partition.

 

How to remove Exchange Server 2003 from your computer - Follow section Remove the Exchange Server 2003 server from Active Directory

 

DO NOT DELETE THE ADMIN GROUP, JUST THE SERVER OBJECT.

[PaulO99]

sukh, many thanks for all your help so far.

 

I'm assuming you're meaning to remove the folder indicated in red on the attached image.

 

What about the folder indicated in orange, I believe that is part of Exchange 2003, or am I missing the mark completely?

 

I've also found another mention of HPSS02 as [CN=Connections > CN=SMTP (HPSS02-{484CC3AC-208B-4559-AEF0-4DEF68882DDC})] can this be removed?

Edited August 1, 2012 by PaulO99
Addition

[sukh]

sukh, many thanks for all your help so far.

 

I'm assuming you're meaning to remove the folder indicated in red on the attached image.

 

What about the folder indicated in orange, I believe that is part of Exchange 2003, or am I missing the mark completely?

 

I've also found another mention of HPSS02 as [CN=Connections > CN=SMTP (HPSS02-{484CC3AC-208B-4559-AEF0-4DEF68882DDC})] can this be removed?

 

yes thats what I mean, can you post an image of the smtp path or state it?

[sukh]

do not delete the orange for now, just the server object.

[sukh]

you can get rid of the smtp reference.

[PaulO99]

Not quite certain what path you mean, I hope it is the AD path which is

 

Configuration (Domain) > CN=Configuration etc > CN=Services > CN=Connections > CN=SMTP etc

[sukh]

yes, if that references the 2003 server.

[PaulO99]

So, finally, can the 'CN=First Administrative Group' go and what about the 'System Public Folders in Exchange 2010, can they go?

[sukh]

leave both,

[PaulO99]

Once again, many thanks. I'll see how it goes.