The Exchange Information Store service is not running on this front-end server

Topic Last Modified: 2005-11-18

The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Win32_Service Microsoft Windows® Management Instrumentation (WMI) class to determine the values set for the Started key of the Microsoft Exchange Information Store and the Simple Message Transfer Protocol (SMTP) services. A value of False indicates that the service is not running. A value of True indicates that the service is running.

The Exchange Server Analyzer also examines the Exchange_Server WMI class in the root\MicrosoftExchangeV2 namespace to determine the value of the IsFrontEndServer key. A value of False indicates that the Exchange Server computer is not a front-end server. A value of True indicates that the Exchange Server computer is a front-end server.

If the Exchange Server Analyzer finds the value of Started for the SMTP service is true, the value of Started for the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service is False, and the value for IsFrontEndServer to be True, a warning is displayed.

Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003 use front-end servers to proxy POP3, IMAP4, and Microsoft Office Outlook® Web Access client requests. Additionally, they can be used as Internet-facing SMTP servers. If this front-end server accepts and routes SMTP messages, supports IMAP clients (which use SMTP for submitting messages), or if this front-end server is running Virus Scan API (VSAPI)-compliant software, the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service must be running. Otherwise, the front-end server will not be able to process SMTP messages, or scan messages using VSAPI.

Unless SMTP or VSAPI-compliant antivirus software is being used on a front-end server, the recommended configuration is to disconnect and delete all public folder stores on the front-end server, stop the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service, and then set the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service to disabled. In addition, the SMTP service should be stopped if it is not being used. On Exchange Server computers that use SMTP or VSAPI-compliant software, the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service must be running to deliver messages and service messaging clients.

To correct this warning

Open the Services MMC snap-in.
Right-click Microsoft Exchange Information Store service, and then click Properties.
On the General tab of the Microsoft Exchange Information Store property page, make sure that the Start-up type is set to Automatic. If it is not, set it to Automatic, click Apply, and then click OK.
Right-click Microsoft Exchange Information Store service, and then click Start.
Close the Services snap-in.

If attempts to start the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service fail, it could indicate a more serious problem on this Exchange Server computer. In this case, you should examine the event logs for details about the failure. You should also ensure that you are running the most recent service pack for your version of Exchange Server. You can obtain the latest service pack for Exchange Server at the Web site, "Microsoft Exchange Server home page" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=21573).

For more information about known causes for Microsoft Exchange Information Store service failure, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:

827915, "The Information Store service may stop unexpectedly while converting a message that does not contain the PR_MESSAGE_CLASS property in Exchange 2003" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=827915)
830602, "Exchange Server 2003 Information Store service stops responding" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=830602)
839115, "The Information Store service does not start after you upgrade to Exchange Server 2003" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=839115)
330197, "The Information Store service stops unexpectedly when a message with a null Internet message ID is delivered locally" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=330197)
831130, "The Folders pane does not appear or the Information Store service quits unexpectedly when you use OWA to access your mailbox on your Exchange Server 2003 computer" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=831130)
823163, "'Setup Cannot Locate a Qualifying Global Catalog Server' Error Message When You Try to Start the Information Store Service" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=823163)
822579, "Event ID 7024 After You Install Exchange Server 2003, and Exchange Information Store Service Does Not Start" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=822579)
833841, "The Microsoft Exchange Information Store service unexpectedly stops responding" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=833841)

For more information about using front-end servers, see the Exchange Server 2003 and Exchange 2000 Server Front-End and Back-End Topology Guide (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=47567).