When Microsoft changed the structure of its popular Exchange Server database, it was a cause for concern amount many IT administrators.

Here are some key points you should know prior to installing Exchange Server 2013.

Subsequent to the release of Exchange 2010 there was much debate concerning whether or not Microsoft Exchange 2013 would be able to cope with the ever increasing demand of large network infrastructure and high availability database support. There were many intentions made by the public to have a leaner, more stripped down version of Microsoft SQL built into Exchange 2013. It was already a well-established platform and in common use within most deployed networks.

With this feedback in mind, Microsoft was able to release Exchange 2013 under the ESE platform (Extensible Storage Engine), with input and output capabilities nearly 99% more efficient than that of Exchange 2003 almost 10 years ago. ESE is an alternative to Microsoft’s SQL and was designed to lighten the load on clients pockets. What it does is scale large networks on low end server hardware. Retention policies can also be applied on a database level whereas, in previous versions of exchange server, it was on a mailbox to mailbox basis.

The Exchange Admin Center makes it very easy for any novice or seasoned technician to backup, migrate, move, mount or delete databases.

Finally, it wouldn’t be Microsoft without outlining some Exchange 2013 best practices!

• Transaction logs and Microsoft Exchange 2013 database files ought to be kept on 2 separate disks.
• Transaction logs should be saved in a mirrored environment that is located offsite.
• Exchange 2013 mailbox database (.edb) file volume should be saved on a Raid 5 controller.

Additional Exchange 2013 best practices from Microsoft :

Exchange Server 2013 for IT Pros

Microsoft Exchange Best Practices Analyzer

*Original source of image http://www.smartpctricks.com

As an IT administrator did you have any questions prior to installing Exchange server 2013 into your corporate infrastructure? Share your thoughts and comments below.

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