Paths to the Microsoft Exchange Server Databases

Use the Database Paths property page to set paths to various Microsoft Exchange Server database files. If your server has multiple drives, you can distribute the data files across different drives to enhance performance by increasing redundancy.

Note   The Microsoft Exchange Server Performance Optimizer examines the disk drives on your system and recommends where each database should be placed.

The paths that you can modify in the Database Paths property page are:

• Directory Database
• Directory Transaction Logs
• Directory Working Path
• Private Information Store Database
• Public Information Store Database
• Information Store Transaction Logs
• Information Store Working Path

The Directory Database path indicates where the database file for the directory is stored.

The Private Information Store Database or Public Information Store Database path directs the user to a database that is one of the two linked database elements that make up the information store.

The two transaction logs maintain records of all information store or directory transactions. Transaction log files are used during incremental backups of the information store.

The two working paths point to the location where various temporary files are stored. These temporary files are created during normal operation of the information store or directory.

Note   To modify the database paths, you must be logged on to the server that contains the databases.

Getting to the Server Database Paths property page

1. In the Administrator window, choose Servers, and then select a server.
2. From the File menu, choose Properties.
3. Select the Database Paths tab.

Setting Database Path Locations

The location of a public or private information store database, or a directory database is set by specifying a path in the Database Paths property page.

Note   The information store's transaction log path and working path are identical for the public information store and the private information store.

1. Select the Database Paths tab.
2. Select a database (Private Information Store Database, Public Information Store Database, or Directory Database).
3. Choose Modify, and then specify a path.

Setting the Location of the Directory or Information Store's Transaction Log

You can set the location for the public and private information store transaction log, or the directory transacton log. A transaction log is a file that lists all information store or directory events and transactions. Microsoft Exchange Server uses transaction log files during incremental backups of the information store or directory.

1. Select the Database Paths tab.
2. Select a transaction log (Directory Transaction Logs or Information Store Transaction Logs).
3. Choose Modify, and then specify a path.

Setting the Directory or Information Store Working Path

The working path points to the location of stored temporary files that are created during normal operation of the directory service or information store. Use the working path to identify where your stored temporary files are located.

1. Select the Database Paths tab.
2. Select a working path (Directory Working Path or Information Store Working Path).
3. Choose Modify, and then specify a path.