How to change database limits in Microsoft Exchange 2003 Standard Edition SP2?

[Casidy]

Hello there, In our organisation we have installed Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP2 and I have some questions regarding it. I am new to Microsoft Exchange server and hence want to know How to change database limits in Microsoft Exchange 2003 Standard Edition SP2? Currently the database size is configured at 18gb which I think is set by default. What is the maximum size of database which can be configured? Any help regarding the topic is welcome. Thanks in advance.

[Wguy2008]

Instead of using Microsoft Exchange server 2003, you can use Microsoft exchange server 2007 which supports 5 storage groups and 5 databases. The maximum size limit for each database is 16TB which is a Hardware limitation. 16TB is very large size for the database and hence you will not require to increase the size frequently. Hence using MS Exchange Server 2007 over 2003 will be a good option.

[Wyvern]

The maximum size which can be allocated for a database on a Microsoft Exchange server 2003 is 75 gigabyte. I would not suggest you to increase the size of the database as it could lead to dismounting of the database if not done properly. According to me 18gb is a lot of space for a database to be stored. Still you can refer the Exchange server manual and increase the database size as required.

[Proteus]

Yes I agree with Wguy2008 for suggesting the use of MS Exchange server 2007 over 2003. Now you are facing database limitations with MS Exchange server 2003 but virtually no limitation on the size of the database in MS Exchange server 2007 which will eliminate the necessity of changing the size of database regularly.

[Lemog]

Which version of Exchange 2003 with SP2 are you using? The Enterprise edition of the exchange server does not have any limitation on the database size. The standard edition of exchange server 2003 has limitation of 75gb on the database size. Therefore check the version of exchange server which you are using and then try to implement the changes.

[Abdullah30]

To change the database size in the MS Exchange server 2003 you will have to change some registry entries on the computer. Open the Windows registry and find the following key on it

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS\<SERVER NAME>\Private-013e2e46-2cd7-4a8e-bfec-0e4652b94b00

Change the Dword value to set the limit of database size.

[Casidy]

Thanks for helping out. I followed all the suggestions which were suggested by you and changed the Dword value in the Registry Key. Now the database size has changed to 75gb which is maximum limit for the MS Exchange server 2003 standard edition. Thanks for helping out.