Defragmentation

Over time, the Exchange database files grow significantly. Although the system automatically groups empty areas together and uses them, at least partially, the total size of the database files still continues to grow. This is counteracted by offline defragmentation, which also removes defective areas from the database. To keep a Small Business Server stable, you should defragment the Exchange database at least once a year.

Offline defragmentation of large databases often takes several hours. The database is not available to users during this time, but defragmentation does ensure that the database files are completely okay after the repairs.

For offline defragmentation, you need to unprovision the database or stop the Microsoft Exchange Information Store system service from using services.msc. Then, launch Eseutil with the /d option and the path to the database: In Small Business Server 2011, this path is normally C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V14\Mailbox\Mailbox Database.

Before getting to work, the tool creates a temporary copy of the database file and defragments this copy. Finally, it overwrites the original version with the updated copy; thus, you need sufficient free space on the hard disk. For example, the following:

Eseutil /d "Mailbox Database.edb"

is the syntax at the command line for an offline defragmentation.

SharePoint

You can download Service Pack 2 for SharePoint Foundation [4] or enable it in patch management. First, launch SharePoint 2010 Central Administration and click on System Settings | Manage servers in this farm . Make sure that no actions are necessary under Status .

Run the installer and follow the instructions. When it finishes, open a command prompt with administrator privileges and change to the c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web server extensions\14\bin directory [10]. Finally, enter the command:

PSConfig.exe -cmd upgrade -inplace b2b -force -cmd applicationcontent -install -cmd installfeatures