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Log Files are growing rapidly and consuming disk space

Paul Ryan | February 18th, 2015 | exchange 2010

The most common issue faced by many of the user is “Exchange files are growing quickly”. Todays we will discuss the main causes of the problem and possible solution for the same.

Transaction log files and the database files are two main components of the Exchange Server 2010.

Exchange server first write all changes that were made in it to the transaction log file and then commit the changes into the database.

Various Reasons that may cause the rapid increase in the Exchange Server database are described as

Related to the mailbox

  • Corruption in the database
  • Problem with Active Sync

Related to the Mail flow

  • NDR Message Looping
  • Increased mail flow
  • The mail stuck in the queue
  • Briefly, the main reason for the rapid increase in the log file is repeated Transactions.

How to track the growth of the Log file

Follow the steps mentioned below to track the growth of the Log file

Use Exmon utility to identify the Logs

ExMon is the utility used to monitor the activity of the different users. Use Exmon utility to monitor the usage of users. If any user is using more than 50% of the CPU, take a quick action on it. Disable the account of that user for a while and check the transaction log files.

At first install the ExMon utility into your machine. Now go to the path where you have installed the ExMon utility. Now add two registry key at the location

1). RpcEtwTracing

2). UsePerformanceClock

ps6 exmon

Now launch the ExMon utility from the location where you have installed.

You can save the Data gathered by the ExMon utility in text or CSV file for further analysis.

Now execute the command in the command prompt as shown below :

ExMon.exe –SU “C:Program Files(X86)Exchange User MonitordataUser.csv”

Use String.exe to analyze the log files.

The string.exe utility is used to parse the log files. To perform the parsing of the log files using String.exe utility you require max 100 logs

Extract the log files and place the log files in a folder. Now Open Powershell and browse the path of the folder.

Now Run the command given below

Syntax:

exmon syntax

Using NetMon utility

To track the logs using this tool you first require to install the hotfix utility.

Now open command prompt and type

EXMON

Use Exchange Log Analyzer

Log files can be opened and viewed by using Expert recommended third party tool called Exchange Log Analyzer. This standalone application not only generates a preview of data to examine log file but also scan issues of the file and provide various export options.

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Paul Ryan

Paul Ryan is a technical blogger and he’s passionate about writing technical blogs and covering all popular issues related to Exchange server / Outlook apps. He is MCSE certified and putting all his knowledge and experience in providing solutions to the Exchange users/administrators.