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DR DAG Test - 26.Jan.2012 1:01:35 PM

ace1701

Posts: 277
Joined: 1.Dec.2000
From: Chicago
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I am testing my DR plan and ran into a small problem that I hope you can help with. What I did was I took a clone of my DR DC and both Exchange servers and set them up on a dummy net. I recovered AD and then went through the site recovery process for Exchange. The problem is all of the DB�s on one of the servers have a copy queue length greater than 12 (43, 107, 80,27) which is preventing them from mounting. The other server is fine. The ContentIndexState for the DB�s shows failed as well. I ran update-mailboxdatabasecopy �catalog but it did not help.

I�ve done my usual investigation and so far all I�m seeing is to reseed (not an option here obviously) or to recover from tape. I�m hoping you have an idea of how I can get these DB�s mounted even if there is some mail loss.

I should also mention that the Copy Queue Length on all of the productino DB�s are always under 5 so I�m guessing it has to do with getting a clone of the server while it was running. I also understand that I could get another clone of it but I�d rather try and get this to work and add it to my documentation just in case.

DAG is in DAC mode
Exchange 2010 SP1

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RE: DR DAG Test - 26.Jan.2012 1:53:21 PM

mark@mvps.org

Posts: 6812
Joined: 9.Jun.2004
From: Philadelphia PA
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With Exchange 2010 and the DAG you do not have a DR in the conventional sense of the word. If you have a site where you have a copy of a database then, by simple definition, you wish to be able to activate it.

So the simplest thing to do is to make sure that the copy queues are down in single digits, or zero, and then activate the copy. If you do it on a Sunday or whatever day makes sense you will be able to test your mailbox and see what response you get. You don't have to do all of the databases, just one or two. Once you're done, activate a store in the main site.

If you are taking a lab clone what I would do would be to suspend replication before doing your clone.

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RE: DR DAG Test - 26.Jan.2012 1:57:59 PM

ace1701

Posts: 277
Joined: 1.Dec.2000
From: Chicago
Status: offline

Thanks Mark

The question is how can you recover a DB with a copy queue length of more than 12 if it is the only DB copy left? At this point I would accept a way to clear the queue so that the DB would mount.

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RE: DR DAG Test - 26.Jan.2012 2:15:11 PM

mark@mvps.org

Posts: 6812
Joined: 9.Jun.2004
From: Philadelphia PA
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Use the Accept Data Loss switch as per: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998871.aspx
That enables you to force the database to mount if there are outstanding logs.

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RE: DR DAG Test - 26.Jan.2012 2:22:24 PM

ace1701

Posts: 277
Joined: 1.Dec.2000
From: Chicago
Status: offline

Thanks Mark

I found the following that worked for me before I saw your note.

Move-ActiveMailboxDatabase -Identity DBName -ActivateOnServer SRVName -SkipClientExperienceChecks -SkipHealthChecks -SkipLagChecks -SkipActiveCopyChecks -MountDialOverride BestEffort

Thanks again

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