Creating a new database in Exchange 2013 can be a critical task for IT administrators. The Microsoft Exchange Information Store service handles all mailbox and public folder data and relies on the Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) to manage data efficiently. Restarting this service when adding a new database helps prevent errors and ensures optimal memory allocation, making the server more stable.
Exchange Information Store
The Information Store is a core component of Microsoft Exchange Server that stores all mailbox data and public folder data. It uses ESE, a transaction-based database engine, to maintain data integrity and manage mailbox operations efficiently.
Key Functions:
- Store mailbox items (emails, contacts, calendar, tasks)
- Maintain public folder data
- Enable fast search and retrieval of mailbox content
- Ensure transaction-level consistency
Why Restart the Information Store Service?
When creating a new database, administrators may encounter mounting errors or performance issues. Restarting the Information Store service helps refresh the server memory, balances resource allocation, and allows the newly created database to register properly with Exchange. In earlier versions, this step was optional, but in Exchange 2013, it is recommended to avoid errors and maintain smooth operations.
Common Errors and Their Causes
Database Mount Errors in Exchange 2013
When adding a new database, you may encounter the following error:
Failed to mount database “DB Name”. Error: An Active Manager operation failed. Error: Couldn’t find the specified mailbox database with GUID “Guid Id”. [Database: DatabaseName, Server: Server name]
Causes of this error:
- Database not recognized by Active Manager
- Memory not properly allocated to the new database
- Exchange roles running on the server during database creation
- Pending configuration updates
Solution:
Restarting the Information Store service refreshes database connections, clears temporary issues, and ensures proper mounting of the new database.
Steps to Restart the Information Store Service
- Open the Start menu, click Run, type services.msc, and press OK.
- In the Results pane, locate Microsoft Exchange Information Store.
- Right-click the service and select Restart.
Best Practices for Exchange Database Management
Always maintain a backup of your databases before performing any service restart. Monitor server memory and performance regularly, schedule database operations during low-traffic hours, and document all actions for future reference. These practices help prevent downtime and ensure smooth Exchange server operations.
Conclusion
Restarting the Information Store service is a necessary and recommended step when creating a new database in Exchange 2013. It balances memory allocation, prevents mounting errors, and keeps the server running efficiently. By following these steps and best practices, administrators can successfully add new databases while maintaining stable and reliable Exchange operations.
