Performing Exchange recovery when database exceeds 16 GB in MS Exchange Server 2003

MS Exchange Server is the server side of theThe cause of this situation is that the Exchange
client-server application from Microsoft. ItServer database of Exchange Server 2003 has
extensively supports emailing, managing calendarreached the permitted limit of 16 GB.
entries, contacts, tasks, etc. Besides this, it alsoResolution:
supports access through mobile and web-basedTo resolve this situation, you should perform the
browsers. All such Server information is stored infollowing methods:
an EDB file, which sometimes get corrupted1. You should upgrade to Exchange Server 2003
making it difficult to mount the Server database.Service Pack 2, as then you would have the
Such corruption scenarios can occur due tooption to increase the database size limit to 18
various reasons such as database headerGB.
corruption, hardware issues, abruptly exiting the2. If you have the administrative rights to control
Exchange Server, etc. In such cases, you shouldthe Exchange Server, then you can increase the
try out appropriate corrective measures.size of the database by 1 GB for the time being.
However, if you are not able to sort out theThen, remove the not-so-necessary content
issue then you should use an Exchange Recoveryfrom the database. After this, you should
software to do the needful for you.defragment the database to bring it back to the
Consider a scenario wherein you are using MSstipulated size limit of the database size.
Exchange Server 2003. One day, when you3. Mount the database using the Recovery
started the Exchange Server you were unable toStorage Group feature, and then try to extract
mount the database. You check the Applicationthe EDB from the mailboxes using the Microsoft
event log and find the following event ID thatExchange Merge Wizard (Exmerge.exe) utility.
suggests the possible cause of this situation:Using the aforementioned methods, you can bring
"Event Type: Errorthe size of the EDB under control and use the
Event Source: MSExchangeISExchange Server as before. However, if you are
Event Category: Generalnot able to address the situation then you should
Event ID: 1112use a third-party Microsoft Exchange recovery
Description: The database "Mailbox Store (Serversoftware to do the needful for you. Such
Name)" has reached the maximum allowed size.read-only tools are able to perform Exchange
Attempting to unmount the database."Server Recovery without overwriting the original
Cause:contents.