Exchange 2000 Server - Configuring Information Stores

Configuring Information Stores

Information stores are the databases that Exchange 2000 Server uses to store mailboxes, public folders, documents, files, and applications.

Exchange supports multiple databases for each server. The stores are contained in storage groups. There are two kinds of databases: mailbox stores and public folder stores.

For help with specific tasks, see How To.

For general background information, see Concepts.

Answers to frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the Information Store service and the new Microsoft Web Storage System?

The Information Store service is a Microsoft Windows 2000 service that manages the Exchange stores. Web Storage System is a storage platform used by Exchange that provides a single repository for managing multiple types of unstructured information within one infrastructure. It combines the features of a file system, the Web, and a collaboration server (such as Exchange) through a single, URL addressable location for storing, accessing, and managing information, as well as building and running applications. Web Storage System is based on the technology that drives Exchange Server Information Store.

When would I use multiple databases?

Use multiple databases to:

Create smaller databases that backup and restore faster than one large database.
Create separate databases for departments, work groups, or cross-functional teams. Identify the number of databases that balance administrative control with reliability requirements for your organization.
Specify restore times. If you have a Service Level Agreement(SLA) requiring a certain restore time for some of your data, multiply your database sizes by the transfer rates of your restore equipment to calculate SLA conformance.

When would I create a storage group rather than a new database?

Create a storage group rather than a new database to:

Add a new database when your first storage group has reached its maximum of five databases. You must create a new storage group for the new database.
Increase server performance by using dedicated drives for transaction log files.
Use different backup schedules for different sets of data. The storage group is the best unit for backup because backing it up automatically includes the transaction logs for all databases in the group.

When creating new mailbox stores, why can I only associate them with the default public folder store and not with other available public folder stores on my server?

The public folder store installed by default on your server contains the MAPI public folder hierarchy, which is the All Public Folders branch of the Public Folders tree. You can have only one MAPI public folder hierarchy in your Exchange installation and it is associated with only one default public store. If you have other servers in your installation, you can choose from their default public folder stores.