Extend C Drive (exchange server2010)?

[DavidUlrichC3]

Hello All,

I did some searching (googling) thought i would stop here and ask as well..

We are running  Vsphere 4.1.0

Exchange Machine is Version 7

My C Drive on my exchange server is 50GB and only has about 11GB free  (16GB MEM) DBs including logs are on seperate drives

1) Is it worth Extending?

2) Whats the best way to extend i was thinking it should be around 70GB or should i just move my Page file to my log drive?

[runclear · Accepted solution]

if the OS is 2008 R2, easy..

1. change the disk size to 70gb~ using the viclient

2. rescan disks within the OS

3. Diskpart, extend space.

[Troy_Clavell]

you can extend it via the vSphere Client first, ensuring there are no snapshots, then use something like extpart to extend out your C: Drive.  Or, you can use a helper VM, but that would require downtime.

Also, if W2K8, diskpart is an option, which will allow you to extend the volume using the M$ built in tools.  (This would be my preference)

[DavidUlrichC3]

lol seemed to easy thats why i asked...

yes it is R2

can do it while its up?

[Troy_Clavell]

can do it while its up?

yes

[runclear]

I wouldnt have any reservations performing a diskpart task live.. and have never had any issues with it..

As always, its vital to have a good backup just in case

[DavidUlrichC3]

back up i have, obviuosly cant use a snapshot, but i probably can clone?

[Troy_Clavell]

yes, cloning to a new VM is a possiblility before you start.  However, this could generate some un needed disk I/O and could affect your exchange server.  I would advise doing it after hours.

[habibalby]

hello,

shutdown the VM and use vConverter to do so.

Thanks,

[runclear]

why would he use vConverter to resize a disk thats on a 2008 R2 system?

[HankVonHelvete]

i would agree. If you are running 08 r2 it's pretty simple and no longer requires using diskpart. why pay for something that is free>?

[habibalby]

Since it's exchange and critical system it's better to shutdown the VM and use vConverter to re-size the disk on a new datastore. Rather than adding a new VMDK file and then extending it via diskpart.

Adding a new disk and extend it via diskpart, will lead to having multiple vmdk's inside the folder where the VM located.

Talking for experience, I have seen it it's better to use the vConverter to re-size the vmdk disk.