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RG009's avatar
RG009
Level 4
12 years ago

PST import qns

 Hi All,

At present, we are doing PST import to user archvies. Due to the large number of remote sites and huge amount of PST files, we are using the PST  import method. But we are now facing the bottle neck on the EV server side , with importing the PST's.

We have 4 EV,but most of the archives are located or linked to only 2 EV servers. I have few questions as below, re: the importing which I would like to get some advise.

  1. We know that it is possible to import PST's  from any of the EV server with storage service running. For ex. if user Archive is on Server A and if we do the import from Server B, will it still use Server A resources for the PST import? Or is it the storage service on the importing server which handle this task?
  2. Can we use EVPM script to run multiple instance of PST import at the same time?
  3. Is it a good idea to modify the conversation timeout value on these EV servers temporarily ?
  4. What are the other recommend practices which would allow us to import?

Thank you!

 

Enterprise Vault
Evaluating
Information Governance
Windows Server (2003-2008)
  • Rob_Wilcox1's avatar
    Rob_Wilcox1
    12 years ago

    I think there is the possibility of a bug in the woodwork here...

     

    I first of all created a shared archive, and on the server with the archive (my all-new-second-EV server) I ingested a PST with 81 items in it, using EVPM on the server itself.

     

    All was good.  On the properties of the archive I see 81 indexed items

     

    I then ran a PST ingest from the first EV server, in to that same archive.

     

    The items have gone in to the archive, but not correctly...

     

    - I see them on disk on the first EV server.

    - I see badness in the index:

    Capture.PNG

    28 missing items?  Guess what..  The PST import ingested 28 items!

    Oh and index rebuild of course fails, because there are >25 consecutive failures.

    Here is what I'd suggest...

    - Test it yourself, nice and carefully, like I've just done.

    - If it's the same then I'm sure that there is a bug amist this and we/you/I can raise it with SYMC.

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  • Rob_Wilcox1's avatar
    Rob_Wilcox1
    Level 6
    12 years ago

    2.  Can we use EVPM script to run multiple instance of PST import at the same time?

    Yes...  You can run EVPM and import 10 or more PSTs concurrently.  You can control the amount.

     

    3.  Conversion timeout...

    I wouldn't personally change it no.

     

    So right now you're importing the PSTs via the Import PST wizard in the VAC?

  • RG009's avatar
    RG009
    Level 4
    12 years ago

    Hi Rob,

    Yes, right now we are importing using PST import wizard(mainly from 2 servers). we run multiple instances of the import at the same time. I am trying to understand whether we can utilize other 2 servers so that we can import more data on a daily basis.

    Also with the EVPM, is it possible to run the multiple instances (i.e import to multiple archives) at the same time ?

  • Rob_Wilcox1's avatar
    Rob_Wilcox1
    Level 6
    12 years ago

    You *can* run EVPM multiple times, or you can opt for an approach like this:

     

     

    [Directory]
    directorycomputername = ev1a.ev.local
    sitename = myev

    [PSTDefaults]
    MailboxFolder =
    PSTLanguage = Western European
    MigrationMode = Process
    IncludeDeletedItems = false
    SetPstHidden = false
    SetPstReadOnly = false
    CompactPst = false
    DeletePst = true
    CancelMbxAutoArchive = true

    [PST]
    Filename = \\w2k3srv\C$\temp\test data file 2.pst
    ArchiveName = PST2
    ShortcutMode = NoShortcuts
    RetentionCategory = Default Retention Category
    MergePSTFolders = false
     
    [PST]
    Filename = \\w2k3srv\C$\temp\test data file 3.pst
    ArchiveName = PST3
    ShortcutMode = NoShortcuts
    RetentionCategory = Default Retention Category
    MergePSTFolders = false
     
    [PST]
    Filename = \\w2k3srv\C$\temp\test data file 4.pst
    ArchiveName = PST4
    ShortcutMode = NoShortcuts
    RetentionCategory = Default Retention Category
    MergePSTFolders = false
     
     

    ... and so on.

  • RG009's avatar
    RG009
    Level 4
    12 years ago

    Ok Thanks again Rob

    How about the below question?

    We know that it is possible to import PST's  from any of the EV server with storage service running. For ex. if user Archive is on Server A and if we do the import from Server B, will it still use Server A resources for the PST import? Or is it the storage service on the importing server which handle this task?

  • RG009's avatar
    RG009
    Level 4
    12 years ago

    Could some one confirm whether PST import can done only via the server which has the Vault store assigned ? We are wondering whether we could use the other EV servers (for ex. Journaling or MOSS archiving) to speed up the PST importing.
     

  • Rob_Wilcox1's avatar
    Rob_Wilcox1
    Level 6
    12 years ago

    Sorry I think you'd have to test this yourself.  You can of course run EVPM on *any* EV server... but I'm not sure which server will actually add the items to storage.

  • RG009's avatar
    RG009
    Level 4
    12 years ago

    Hi Rob,

    Sure, What is the best way to test it? Run Dtrace?

    Infact I am trying to understand how EV handle the PST import if we do it from another server (for ex a journal server) using PST import wizard?  Whether it should still go through the server where user archive resides?

  • Rob_Wilcox1's avatar
    Rob_Wilcox1
    Level 6
    12 years ago

    Yes DTRACE is the way forward, or you could stop some services on the 'second' machine where the archive lives, and give that a try from the first machine?

     

    Labs are good :)

     

    I just gave it a try on my test system here which happens now to have two EV servers in it.  I ran the EVPM PST import on one machine, where the archive lives on the second machine.  The Migrator Server on the import machine appears to archive all the items.

    BUT, I would test it yourself, because at the moment (and I don't know whether it's related or not) I don't see the items on disk in the right location.. I don't see them in location!  I also don't appear to have the items indexed.  [I'll be taking a look later, time permitting]

  • RG009's avatar
    RG009
    Level 4
    12 years ago
    Hi Rob Ok,we will try to test. Did you get a chance to verify the items archived?
  • Rob_Wilcox1's avatar
    Rob_Wilcox1
    Level 6
    12 years ago

    Haven't tried yet, sorry.  I will try to do it tomorrow morning, when I've worked out whether the environment is working.