Checkpoint file placement

Topic Last Modified: 2008-10-13

The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Active Directory® directory service to determine whether the checkpoint file path (msExchESEParamSystemPath) for each storage group on an Exchange server matches the transaction log path (msExchESEParamLogFilePath) for that storage group. If the Exchange Server Analyzer finds that the checkpoint file path does not match the transaction log path for the storage group, the Exchange Server Analyzer displays a best practice message.

If the location of the checkpoint file does not match the location of the transaction log files, you may experience extended downtime when disk failures occur.

To change the location of an Exchange storage group checkpoint file for Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003

In Exchange System Manager, right-click the storage group, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, in System path location, click Browse, and then choose a location for the checkpoint file.

To change the location of Exchange storage group transaction log files for Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003

In Exchange System Manager, right-click the storage group, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, in Transaction log location, click Browse, and then choose a location for the transaction log files.

To change the location of an Exchange storage group checkpoint file for Exchange Server 2007

Open the Exchange Management Console.
In the console tree, expand Server Configuration, and then click Mailbox.
In the result pane, select the server that contains the storage group you want.
In the work pane, select the storage group for which you want to move checkpoint file path.
In the action pane, click Move Storage Group Path. The Move Storage Group Path wizard appears.
On the Introduction page, click Browse next to System files location boxes, and then select the new location for the files.

Note:

To create a new folder for the files, in the Browse for Folder dialog box, select a parent folder, and then click Make New Folder.
Click Move.
A warning appears stating that, to move the files, all databases in the storage group must be temporarily dismounted, making them inaccessible to users. Click Yes to continue.
The Completion page states whether the operation completed successfully and displays the Exchange Management Shell command that was used to complete the task.
Click Finish.

Note:
To create a new folder for the files, in the Browse for Folder dialog box, select a parent folder, and then click Make New Folder.

To use the Exchange Management Shell to move a storage group checkpoint file path

Run the following command:

	Copy Code
Move-StorageGroupPath -Identity "Second Storage Group" - SystemFolderPath:"D:\Mailbox\Second Storage Group\System"

To change the location of Exchange storage group transaction log files for Exchange Server 2007

Follow the guidance in the core Exchange Server 2007 documentation, "How to Set or Change the Location of Storage Group Log Files" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=80702).

For more information about location of the transaction log files, see "Managing Mailbox Stores and Public Folder Stores" in the Exchange Server 2003 Administration Guide (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=47617).

For more information about the checkpoint file, see "Transaction Log File Replay: Soft Recovery and Hard Recovery in Exchange Server 2003" in Using Exchange Server 2003 Recovery Storage Groups (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=47589).