Understanding Exchange and the M Drive

What actually resides on the M drive and why should you not scan it or back
it up?

I want to make sure that the users have enough space for their mailboxes.

Thanks,
Chon

Javier
Tue Dec 09 18:51:31 CST 2003

AFAIK (no expert on the subject)...

The M drive (IFS = Installable File System) is just another way the Exchange
data is stored (in a file/folder hierarchical structure). I believe some
apps use it... but it is not truly required (there is even a KB suggesting
that you should remove this "virtual drive", and MS decided not to install
it by default on Exc2k3). Since it is really a database when you run
utilities that read and *write* to that drive (that are not designed to do
so) they can damage the data inside it and corrupt the db and you will end
up :-( or with a performance problem in your computer.

MS has documented this on a couple of KB articles...

Do not backup or scan drive M
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;298924

XADM: Exchange and Antivirus Software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;328841

I think that is reason enough! Don't you think? Please post back if you have
more questions :-)

--
-Javier

<< SBS ROCKS !!! >>

"Chon Nguyen" <chonnguyen@msn.com> wrote in message
news:%23y9GWBqvDHA.2456@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> What actually resides on the M drive and why should you not scan it or
back
> it up?
>
> I want to make sure that the users have enough space for their mailboxes.
>
> Thanks,
> Chon
>
>

Marina
Tue Dec 09 18:51:16 CST 2003

All of the Exchange databases are on the M-drive and the reason you don't
scan it nor backup it, is to prevent these databases from getting corrupted.
If you run an Exchange aware backupprogram, the transactionlogs will be
flushed automatically.
Just don't touch the M-drive, forget about it.

Marina

"Chon Nguyen" <chonnguyen@msn.com> schreef in bericht
news:#y9GWBqvDHA.2456@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> What actually resides on the M drive and why should you not scan it or
back
> it up?
>
> I want to make sure that the users have enough space for their mailboxes.
>
> Thanks,
> Chon
>
>

Merv
Tue Dec 09 20:04:41 CST 2003

And if you need an official "Don't Do It"...

XADM: Do Not Back Up or Scan Exchange 2000 Drive M
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298924

--
Merv Porter [SBS MVP]
===================================
"Chon Nguyen" <chonnguyen@msn.com> wrote in message
news:#y9GWBqvDHA.2456@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> What actually resides on the M drive and why should you not scan it or
back
> it up?
>
> I want to make sure that the users have enough space for their mailboxes.
>
> Thanks,
> Chon
>
>

Chon
Wed Dec 10 09:59:37 CST 2003

Marina:

Are the actual mailbox files stored on the M Drive?

If I'm adding users and this drive fills up what happens?

Thanks,

Chon

"Marina Roos" <marina@roos.nodontwantspam.nl.com> wrote in message
news:86uBb.51056$LC2.16213@typhoon.bart.nl...
> All of the Exchange databases are on the M-drive and the reason you don't
> scan it nor backup it, is to prevent these databases from getting
corrupted.
> If you run an Exchange aware backupprogram, the transactionlogs will be
> flushed automatically.
> Just don't touch the M-drive, forget about it.
>
> Marina
>
> "Chon Nguyen" <chonnguyen@msn.com> schreef in bericht
> news:#y9GWBqvDHA.2456@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > What actually resides on the M drive and why should you not scan it or
> back
> > it up?
> >
> > I want to make sure that the users have enough space for their
mailboxes.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Chon
> >
> >
>
>

Merv
Wed Dec 10 14:26:57 CST 2003

It's a virtual drive. The actual files are stored elsewhere (default is
your C: drive).

Neat Exchange 2000 Server Tricks: Yes, you really can have it your way!
http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Neat_Exchange_2000_Server_Tricks__Yes_you_really_can_have_it_your_way.html

But just leave it alone and you'll be fine. Don't back it up, don't scan
it, don't play with it. :-)

--
Merv Porter [SBS MVP]
===================================
"Chon Nguyen" <chonnguyen@msn.com> wrote in message
news:uJlV5azvDHA.2540@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Marina:
>
> Are the actual mailbox files stored on the M Drive?
>
> If I'm adding users and this drive fills up what happens?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chon
>
> "Marina Roos" <marina@roos.nodontwantspam.nl.com> wrote in message
> news:86uBb.51056$LC2.16213@typhoon.bart.nl...
> > All of the Exchange databases are on the M-drive and the reason you
don't
> > scan it nor backup it, is to prevent these databases from getting
> corrupted.
> > If you run an Exchange aware backupprogram, the transactionlogs will be
> > flushed automatically.
> > Just don't touch the M-drive, forget about it.
> >
> > Marina
> >
> > "Chon Nguyen" <chonnguyen@msn.com> schreef in bericht
> > news:#y9GWBqvDHA.2456@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > What actually resides on the M drive and why should you not scan it or
> > back
> > > it up?
> > >
> > > I want to make sure that the users have enough space for their
> mailboxes.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Chon
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>