Exchange MOM Critical Error Alert on MAILSERVER: "The transaction log sequence for a storage group is about to run out of available file names."

Exchange MOM Critical Error Alert on MAILSERVER: "The transaction log sequence for a storage group is about to run out of available file names."

Severity: Critical Error

Status: New

Source: ESE

Name: The transaction log sequence for a storage group is about to run out of available file names.

Description: Information Store (3520) First Storage Group: Log sequence numbers for this instance have almost been completely consumed. The current log generation is 918000 (0x000E01F0) which is approaching the maximum log generation of 1048559 (0x000FFFEF), there are 130559 (0x0001FDFF) log generations left to be used. To begin renumbering from generation 1, the instance must be shutdown cleanly and all log files must be deleted. Backups will be invalidated.

Problem Analysis:

1. The transaction log sequence is getting exhausted.

2. The transaction log sequence is from E0000001.log ( DEC: 1) to E00FFFFF.log (DEC: 10,48,575), currently the sequence is E2146 i.e (9.26,022 ), due to which the error is getting generated.

Plan of Action:

1. Take full system and system state including Exchange Server (Microsoft Information Store and all the Storage Group) backup.

2. Install Exchange Troubleshooting Assistance v1.1

3. The transaction log path to be modified and new transaction log sequence is to be re initiated.

Contingency Plan:

1. In case of any problem, the Exchange Information Store can be restored.

Restoration Time: 1.5 X (Exchange Information Store Backup Time).

The transaction log path to be modified and new transaction log sequence is to be re initiated.

STEPS

1. Dismount MailBox Store.

Open Exchange System Manager -> Administrative Group -> First/Second..Administrative Group -> Servers->MAIL SERVER NAME -> MailBoxStore

Right Click and Disable.

2. Dismount Public Store.

Open Exchange System Manager -> Administrative Group -> First/Second..Administrative Group -> Servers->MAIL SERVER NAME -> Public Folder Store

Right Click and Disable.

Note: If you don't dismount Public Store, E00.chk file won't be copied.

3. Go to C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\MDDATA folder.

Check if the database are dismounted properly,

eseutil /MH priv1.edb

eseutil /MH pub1.edb

STATE must be "CLEAN"

if not clean refer Microsoft KB article, if that doesn't work use the following command,

eseutil /p priv1.edb

4. Cut *.log and *.chk files from Transaction Log location to different folder.

Else: USE Microsoft Exchange Troubleshooting Assistance v1.1 , use DATA BASE recovery option to reset Transaction Log Counter. IF it fails you can cut paste the transaction log files including E00.log, which will reset the Transaction Log Counter.

Note: Don't delete the log files, which might be required during restoration.

5. Mount Storage, and check mail flow.

6. Immediately take the information store backup, once the activity is completed.

If you face any problem pls feel free to contact me on subhag.ghosh@gmail.com.

Subhag Ghosh

MCSE,ITILv3

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