Exchange 2016 (& 2013) Enable Circular Logging

KB ID 0001224

Problem

Let’s be clear about this, the correct way to flush/clear the Exchange logs is to perform a backup of the mailbox database in question, with an ‘Exchange aware’ piece of backup software. This will clear down the logs properly.

Why Do We Need Logs?

Well I’m glad you asked, if there’s a problem, and we lose the database, we can ‘play’ the log files back into the database to restore any messages that were ‘lost’ e.g. because you restored from a backup taken at 22:00 hours last night, and it’s now 10:00 hours the following morning. The logs let us get the email that came in after the backup had finished. This is why after a successful backup the logs are usually cleared.

Stop Waffling My Servers Down!

OK so you put your log files on a system drive? It’s filled up with logs, and taken the server down. Either because you’re a doofus, or you are doing an Exchange migration, and now theres a ton of logs, and you didn’t follow my Exchange 2016 Migration Walkthrough.

Solution

Luckily I’ve caught this one early! (There’s an Exchange 2012 to 2016 migration going on, hence the large amount of space taken by Exchange log files).

001 - Exchange Log Folder Full

Enable Exchange 2016 / 2013 Circular Logging from EAC

From within the Exchange Admin Center > Servers  > Databases > Select your Mailbox DB > Edit > Maintenance > Enable Circular Logging > Save.

002 - Exchange EAC Enable Circular Logging

Then you need to restart the ‘Microsoft Exchange Information Store’ service, (run services.msc).

Restart Exchange Information Store

Enable Exchange 2016 / 2013 Circular Logging from EAC

Run the following commands;

Set-MailboxDatabase {Database-Name} -CircularLoggingEnabled $True
net stop "Microsoft Exchange Information Store"

net start "Microsoft Exchange Information Store"

005 - Exchange 2016 Enable Circular Logging

Note: To disable it again.

Set-MailboxDatabase {Database-Name} -CircularLoggingEnabled $False
net stop "Microsoft Exchange Information Store"

net start "Microsoft Exchange Information Store"

Now things should look a bit tidier.

004 - Flush Exchange Logs

Don’t Forget: Logging is a good thing TURN IT BACK ON!

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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Author: PeteLong

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15 Comments

  1. fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!

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  2. But can circular logging be enabled on a database once it’s in a DAG?

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    • Why should being in a DAG make any difference? You are simply changing the logging, Circular logging should not really be enabled, unless you are running out of HDD capacity, or doing a migration. As it greatly affects your Backup RPO.

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  3. Fantastic! Was just what I was after, cleared up 100GB+ logs from two migrations 🙂

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  4. Is there any Exchange disruption to email service what restarting the information store service?

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    • YES! they will get a popup saying unable to connect, then it will reconnect then the store is back online, 2-5 minuets or so depending on the size of the store and comms.

      P

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  5. The guide that I was going to follow says to Dismount and remount the DB. Does restarting the information store service work the same way?

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    • Yes – bouncing that service will dismount and remount ALL stores 🙂

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      • Thank you! Tonight isn’t going to be fun ~190,000 log files.

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  6. THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!!

    ps….if you’re following a guide …. don’t jump ahead.

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  7. nice work bro … i like how you explain things … easy and clear.

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  8. But Enabling Circular Logging stops or blocks Incremntal Backups of databases.
    Am i right, please?

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    • No, if a database is getting backed up with Exchange aware software it will flush the logs, but altering the loging of a database wont affect backup jobs no.

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