RM 5.x and Exchange ESEUtil Dirty Shutdown Question

Question

So looking at the end result of the Exchange database after a successful RM job, the actual clone database is in a 'Dirty Shutdown' state (try it: eseutli /mh database.edb). Because the database is in a dirty shutdown state, we cant run test scripts against the DB's (such as timing how long an offline defrag will take). Based on what I am reading on MS support, a recovery must be ran against the database (eseutil /r e00 /l [path to logs] /s [path the checkpoint] /d [path to db] To be honest, I would have thought RM would somehow of integrated this into the resulting output of the RM process. So here is my question: What is anyone doing out there with post replication scripts to possibly automate the ESEutil recovery process? Or is this the first time you have heard about this? Or am I missing the boat here and running an esutil recovery would screw up the process for recovering the database in the event a clone restore to production is needed? I opened this question with SAC and received a scary comment that what we are attempting to do is outside of what RM promises customers they will be able to do with their replica.

JamesBEMC · Accepted Answer

Vince,To clarify some things1) It is a Microsoft requirement and a VSS function that we must have the Exchange database set in 'dirty shutdown'. We cannot change that.2) The scope of Replication Manager is to present and integrity check the Exchange database only. This is what we do successfully.3) If you modify a mounted replica and perform a recovery on the database, you absolutely will affect the ability to restore. You will not be able to roll forward from the latest set of transaction logs on the host.4) My recommendation to you is to either a) Make a copy of the replica and modify that or b) Do an Exchange Copy Replica job.Hope it helpsJames.

mkonstas · Answer

Vince, I'm in the same situation with my RM/SE 3.1. When ever I need to go back to my RM/SE backups I need to run ESEUTIL /R Exx /I /D to gte me .EDB file in a clean shutdown state. I've been using RM/SE for over 2 years I haven't had the need to restore from the previous nights backup.

-Mike-

Replication Manager

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