Microsoft Exchange Server Performance Monitor Counters

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Microsoft Exchange Server Performance Monitor Counters

The following Windows NT Performance Monitor counters are designed specifically for Microsoft Exchange Server. This is a small sample of the most commonly used counters. You can convert any of these counters for use with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) monitoring agents. For information about counters that you can use with SNMP, see "Chapter 4, "Troubleshooting Tools and Resources."

Monitoring the Message Transfer Agent

Use these counters to monitor MTA activity.

Object Counter Description

MSExchangeMTA Messages/Sec A continuous average of the number of messages the MTA sends and receives each second. This is a good way to measure traffic sent to other servers.

MSExchangeMTA Work Queue Length A current count of messages in MTA queues awaiting delivery to other servers or processing by the MTA. Divide this value by Messages/Sec for a rough estimate of message delay in this queue before they are delivered or sent. A high number indicates a problem, either in performance or in transmitting to other servers.

MSExchangeMTA Connections Queue Size MTA Connections object counters display information for each connection established by the MTA. The Queue Size counter shows the number of objects in MTA queues to and from each connection.

Object	Counter	Description
MSExchangeMTA	Messages/Sec	A continuous average of the number of messages the MTA sends and receives each second. This is a good way to measure traffic sent to other servers.
MSExchangeMTA	Work Queue Length	A current count of messages in MTA queues awaiting delivery to other servers or processing by the MTA. Divide this value by Messages/Sec for a rough estimate of message delay in this queue before they are delivered or sent. A high number indicates a problem, either in performance or in transmitting to other servers.
MSExchangeMTA Connections	Queue Size	MTA Connections object counters display information for each connection established by the MTA. The Queue Size counter shows the number of objects in MTA queues to and from each connection.

Monitoring the Directory

Use these counters to monitor directory replication. When both counters reach zero, directory synchronization is complete.

Object Counter Description

MSExchangeDS Pending Replication Synchronization A current count of synchronization requests sent by this directory that are still unanswered. Check this counter after choosing Update Now in the directory General property page. This value should start high and decrease slowly as synchronization messages arrive.

MSExchangeDS Remaining Replication Updates A current count of synchronization updates waiting to be applied to the directory.

Object	Counter	Description
MSExchangeDS	Pending Replication Synchronization	A current count of synchronization requests sent by this directory that are still unanswered. Check this counter after choosing Update Now in the directory General property page. This value should start high and decrease slowly as synchronization messages arrive.
MSExchangeDS	Remaining Replication Updates	A current count of synchronization updates waiting to be applied to the directory.

Monitoring the Information Store

Use these counters to monitor the activity of the information store. Each counter is available for both public and private information store objects.

Object Counter Description

MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub Average Time for Delivery The average length of time the last 10 messages waited in the information store queue to the MTA. Make note of this delay time when the load is low. A high value could indicate a performance problem with the MTA.

MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub Average Time for Local Delivery The average length of time the last 10 local delivery messages waited for transport to a mailbox in the same information store. Make note of this delay time when the load is low. A high value could indicate a performance problem with the private information store.

MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub Logon Count A current count of clients logged on to the information store.

MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub Logon Active Count A current count of clients logged on to the information store who have initiated some server activity within the last 10 minutes.

MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub Messages Delivered/Min A continuous average of the number of messages are delivered to the information store per minute. This includes messages submitted directly to the information store from clients on this server and messages delivered to the information store by the MTA.

MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub Message Recipients Delivered/Min A continuous average of the number of messages sent per minute divided by the number of recipients to which they were sent. This gives you a clearer picture of the actual number of deliveries.

MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub Messages Sent/Min A continuous average of the number of messages sent per minute from the information store to the MTA to be transported to other servers or gateways.

Object	Counter	Description
MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub	Average Time for Delivery	The average length of time the last 10 messages waited in the information store queue to the MTA. Make note of this delay time when the load is low. A high value could indicate a performance problem with the MTA.
MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub	Average Time for Local Delivery	The average length of time the last 10 local delivery messages waited for transport to a mailbox in the same information store. Make note of this delay time when the load is low. A high value could indicate a performance problem with the private information store.
MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub	Logon Count	A current count of clients logged on to the information store.
MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub	Logon Active Count	A current count of clients logged on to the information store who have initiated some server activity within the last 10 minutes.
MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub	Messages Delivered/Min	A continuous average of the number of messages are delivered to the information store per minute. This includes messages submitted directly to the information store from clients on this server and messages delivered to the information store by the MTA.
MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub	Message Recipients Delivered/Min	A continuous average of the number of messages sent per minute divided by the number of recipients to which they were sent. This gives you a clearer picture of the actual number of deliveries.
MSExchangeISPriv MSExchangeISPub	Messages Sent/Min	A continuous average of the number of messages sent per minute from the information store to the MTA to be transported to other servers or gateways.

Monitoring the Microsoft Mail Connector

Use these counters to monitor Microsoft Mail Connector activity.

Object Counter Description

MSExchange MSMI Messages Received This counter measures how many messages have been received by Microsoft Exchange Server from the Microsoft Mail Connector. If this number is increasing, the connector is receiving mail. If this number is not changing, there could be either no mail to transfer or a problem.

MSExchange PCMTA File contentions/ hour The Microsoft Mail Connector (PC) MTA, any other Microsoft Mail (PC) MTA, and MS Mail clients try to read and write exclusively to key files in Microsoft Mail and Microsoft Mail Connector postoffices. It is normal for a few file contentions to occur. If too many occur, it could indicate a file is locked open or too much traffic is going through a particular postoffice.

MSExchange PCMTA LAN/WAN Messages Moved/hour Use to check Microsoft Mail Connector (PC) MTA performance. This counter should show similar numbers day to day for any given hour as long as there have been no configuration changes in it or other Microsoft Mail (PC) MTAs. Any strong deviance from the normal value should be investigated.

Object	Counter	Description
MSExchange MSMI	Messages Received	This counter measures how many messages have been received by Microsoft Exchange Server from the Microsoft Mail Connector. If this number is increasing, the connector is receiving mail. If this number is not changing, there could be either no mail to transfer or a problem.
MSExchange PCMTA	File contentions/ hour	The Microsoft Mail Connector (PC) MTA, any other Microsoft Mail (PC) MTA, and MS Mail clients try to read and write exclusively to key files in Microsoft Mail and Microsoft Mail Connector postoffices. It is normal for a few file contentions to occur. If too many occur, it could indicate a file is locked open or too much traffic is going through a particular postoffice.
MSExchange PCMTA	LAN/WAN Messages Moved/hour	Use to check Microsoft Mail Connector (PC) MTA performance. This counter should show similar numbers day to day for any given hour as long as there have been no configuration changes in it or other Microsoft Mail (PC) MTAs. Any strong deviance from the normal value should be investigated.

Monitoring the Internet Mail Service

Use these counters to monitor Internet Mail Service activity.

Object Counter Description

MSExchangeIMC Queued MTS-IN A current count of messages awaiting final delivery in Microsoft Exchange Server.

MSExchangeIMC Bytes Queued MTS-IN The size, in bytes, of messages that have been converted from Internet mail and are awaiting final delivery within Microsoft Exchange Server.

MSExchangeIMC Messages Entering MTS-IN A current count of messages entering the MTS-IN folder after conversion from Internet mail format.

MSExchangeIMC Queued MTS-OUT A current count of messages waiting to be converted to Internet mail format.

MSExchangeIMC Bytes Queued MTS-OUT The size, in bytes, of messages waiting to be converted to Internet mail format.

MSExchangeIMC Messages Entering MTS-OUT A current count of messages entering the MTS-OUT folder for conversion to Internet mail format.

MSExchangeIMC Messages Leaving MTS-OUT A current count of messages entering the outbound queue.

MSExchangeIMC Connections Inbound A current count of Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) connections to the Internet Mail Service established by other SMTP hosts.

MSExchangeIMC Connections Outbound A current count of SMTP connections the Internet Mail Service has established to other SMTP hosts.

MSExchangeIMC Connections Total Outbound A current count of successful SMTP connections that the Internet Mail Service has established since it was started.

MSExchangeIMC Connections Total Inbound The total number of SMTP connections the Internet Mail Service has accepted from other hosts since it was started.

MSExchangeIMC Connections Total Rejected The total number of SMTP connections that the Internet Mail Service has rejected from other hosts since it was started.

MSExchangeIMC Connections Total Failed The total number of SMTP connections the Internet Mail Service has attempted to other hosts that failed since it was started.

MSExchangeIMC Queued Outbound A current count of messages from Microsoft Exchange Server that are queued for delivery to the Internet.

MSExchangeIMC Queued Inbound A current count of messages received from the Internet destined for Microsoft Exchange Server.

MSExchangeIMC NDRs Total Inbound The total number of NDRs generated for inbound mail.

MSExchangeIMC NDRs Total Outbound The total number of NDRs generated for outbound mail.

MSExchangeIMC Total Inbound Kilobytes The total size, in kilobytes, transferred to Microsoft Exchange Server.

MSExchangeIMC Total Outbound Kilobytes The total size, in kilobytes, transferred from Microsoft Exchange Server.

MSExchangeIMC Inbound Messages Total The total number of Internet messages delivered to Microsoft Exchange Server.

MSExchangeIMC Outbound Messages Total The total number of outbound messages delivered to their destinations.

Object	Counter	Description
MSExchangeIMC	Queued MTS-IN	A current count of messages awaiting final delivery in Microsoft Exchange Server.
MSExchangeIMC	Bytes Queued MTS-IN	The size, in bytes, of messages that have been converted from Internet mail and are awaiting final delivery within Microsoft Exchange Server.
MSExchangeIMC	Messages Entering MTS-IN	A current count of messages entering the MTS-IN folder after conversion from Internet mail format.
MSExchangeIMC	Queued MTS-OUT	A current count of messages waiting to be converted to Internet mail format.
MSExchangeIMC	Bytes Queued MTS-OUT	The size, in bytes, of messages waiting to be converted to Internet mail format.
MSExchangeIMC	Messages Entering MTS-OUT	A current count of messages entering the MTS-OUT folder for conversion to Internet mail format.
MSExchangeIMC	Messages Leaving MTS-OUT	A current count of messages entering the outbound queue.
MSExchangeIMC	Connections Inbound	A current count of Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) connections to the Internet Mail Service established by other SMTP hosts.
MSExchangeIMC	Connections Outbound	A current count of SMTP connections the Internet Mail Service has established to other SMTP hosts.
MSExchangeIMC	Connections Total Outbound	A current count of successful SMTP connections that the Internet Mail Service has established since it was started.
MSExchangeIMC	Connections Total Inbound	The total number of SMTP connections the Internet Mail Service has accepted from other hosts since it was started.
MSExchangeIMC	Connections Total Rejected	The total number of SMTP connections that the Internet Mail Service has rejected from other hosts since it was started.
MSExchangeIMC	Connections Total Failed	The total number of SMTP connections the Internet Mail Service has attempted to other hosts that failed since it was started.
MSExchangeIMC	Queued Outbound	A current count of messages from Microsoft Exchange Server that are queued for delivery to the Internet.
MSExchangeIMC	Queued Inbound	A current count of messages received from the Internet destined for Microsoft Exchange Server.
MSExchangeIMC	NDRs Total Inbound	The total number of NDRs generated for inbound mail.
MSExchangeIMC	NDRs Total Outbound	The total number of NDRs generated for outbound mail.
MSExchangeIMC	Total Inbound Kilobytes	The total size, in kilobytes, transferred to Microsoft Exchange Server.
MSExchangeIMC	Total Outbound Kilobytes	The total size, in kilobytes, transferred from Microsoft Exchange Server.
MSExchangeIMC	Inbound Messages Total	The total number of Internet messages delivered to Microsoft Exchange Server.
MSExchangeIMC	Outbound Messages Total	The total number of outbound messages delivered to their destinations.

Monitoring the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail

Use these counters to monitor the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail activity.

Object Counter Description

MSExchange
CCMC NDRs to Microsoft Exchange Number of NDRs submitted to Microsoft Exchange Server by the connector since the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail service was started.

MSExchange
CCMC NDRs to Lotus cc:Mail Number of NDRs submitted to Lotus cc:Mail by the connector since the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail service was started.

MSExchange
CCMC Messages sent to Microsoft Exchange/hr Average number of messages sent per hour from Lotus cc:Mail to Microsoft Exchange Server.

MSExchange
CCMC Messages sent to Lotus cc:Mail/hr Average number of messages sent per hour from Microsoft Exchange Server to Lotus cc:Mail.

MSExchange
CCMC Microsoft Exchange MTS-IN The number of messages in the MTS-IN queue awaiting delivery to Microsoft Exchange Server.

MSExchange
CCMC Microsoft Exchange MTS-OUT The number of messages in the MTS-OUT queue awaiting delivery to the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail information store.

MSExchange
CCMC Messages sent to Microsoft Exchange The number of messages sent from Lotus cc:Mail to Microsoft Exchange Server since the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail service was started.

MSExchange
CCMC Messages sent to Lotus Lotus cc:Mail The number of messages sent from Microsoft Exchange Server to Lotus cc:Mail since the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail service was started.

MSExchange
CCMC DirSync to Microsoft Exchange The number of directory entries updated in the Microsoft Exchange Server global address list since the last directory synchronization cycle.

MSExchange
CCMC DirSync to Lotus cc:Mail The number of directory entries updated in the Lotus cc:Mail address list since the last directory synchronization cycle.

Object	Counter	Description
MSExchange CCMC	NDRs to Microsoft Exchange	Number of NDRs submitted to Microsoft Exchange Server by the connector since the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail service was started.
MSExchange CCMC	NDRs to Lotus cc:Mail	Number of NDRs submitted to Lotus cc:Mail by the connector since the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail service was started.
MSExchange CCMC	Messages sent to Microsoft Exchange/hr	Average number of messages sent per hour from Lotus cc:Mail to Microsoft Exchange Server.
MSExchange CCMC	Messages sent to Lotus cc:Mail/hr	Average number of messages sent per hour from Microsoft Exchange Server to Lotus cc:Mail.
MSExchange CCMC	Microsoft Exchange MTS-IN	The number of messages in the MTS-IN queue awaiting delivery to Microsoft Exchange Server.
MSExchange CCMC	Microsoft Exchange MTS-OUT	The number of messages in the MTS-OUT queue awaiting delivery to the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail information store.
MSExchange CCMC	Messages sent to Microsoft Exchange	The number of messages sent from Lotus cc:Mail to Microsoft Exchange Server since the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail service was started.
MSExchange CCMC	Messages sent to Lotus Lotus cc:Mail	The number of messages sent from Microsoft Exchange Server to Lotus cc:Mail since the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail service was started.
MSExchange CCMC	DirSync to Microsoft Exchange	The number of directory entries updated in the Microsoft Exchange Server global address list since the last directory synchronization cycle.
MSExchange CCMC	DirSync to Lotus cc:Mail	The number of directory entries updated in the Lotus cc:Mail address list since the last directory synchronization cycle.