XADM: Recovering Exchange from a Corrupted Directory (184186)

SUMMARY

When you install Microsoft Exchange Server, you should create a backup directory in the directory that contains the Dir.edb file. A default installation without optimization will have the Dir.edb file in the Exchsrvr\Dsadata directory. After replication has been completed with other servers in the site, the directory service should be stopped, and a copy of the Dir.edb file should be placed in the backup directory. Then you can restart the services.

MORE INFORMATION

This suggestion is made as a precautionary measure against future problems. As a standard course of action, you should have a solid backup plan with tape rotations and periodic testing of the backups. However, in a worst case scenario, this backup copy can be used to bring the server back on line if the directory has become unusable. Unlike the Priv.edb and Pub.edb, repair utilities should not be run against the Dir.edb file because it stays synchronized with the other directories in the site.

Also, unlike the Priv.edb and Pub.edb files, the Dir.edb file is machine name specific and the system cannot regenerate a new one if the old one is missing. If a directory becomes unusable and there are no viable backups, you can stop the directory service on the computer, and move all of the files out of the Dsadata directory on all drives that the Exchange Optimizer has placed them in. The original Dir.edb can then be copied from the backup directory and you can restart the directory. Through the process of backfill, the directory will bring itself up to date with the other directories in the site.

Without this original Dir.edb file or a valid backup, the only way to get a new directory is through full disaster recovery. This involves removing Microsoft Exchange Server from the computer and reinstalling it.