Offline defragmentation and subsequent compaction of your Exchange Server data stores allow the operating system to reclaim disk space occupied by deleted data. As users delete e-mails, the Exchange Server software frees up the space within the data stores where those e-mails reside, but never returns actual on-disk storage space to the operating system. The resulting data store never shrinks in size, whereas smaller data stores equate with expedient backups and more efficient disk utilization. If an Exchange data store starts to consume increasingly large quantities of disk space, the only way to reclaim those resources is to perform an offline defragmentation and compaction pass.
PerfectDisk enables you to automatically shut down an Exchange Server, and even stops required services in Exchange Server V5.5, then copies selected data stores to local or remote volumes, and compacts and optimizes volumes. You can also return data stores to their applicable Exchange directories and restart Exchange Server either through the User Interface or via a scheduled event. On Exchange 2000, 2003, and 2007, selected data stores are dismounted and no services need be stopped. This leaves your mail server available to other data stores it may manage.
Related Topics
§ PerfectDisk Settings - Exchange Settings
§ Configuring PerfectDisk for Exchange