How to Mount an Exchange Database on Different Server?

Published On - February 8, 2025 by Nasir Khan | Reading Time: 5 minutes

Exchange Server is a powerful platform to lets users manage emails, contacts, notes, calendars, and other data all in one place. But what if you need to move your data to a new server or fix issues? That’s where users need to mount Exchange database on a different server. It is an important move but also tricky, especially when recovering lost data. If you’re seeking a solution for easy mounting, here is a step-by-step guide that will help you secure your data. Regain EDB Recovery Tool helps users manage corrupted databases and ensure migration is smooth when manual solution fails.

Understanding Exchange Database Mounting

Mounting an Exchange database makes the data in the EDB file accessible to users. Users can easily access their emails, calendar items, contacts, and so much more of their Exchange information. When you mount on a different server, you are, in essence, restoring the database so it is ready to use again. Here are scenarios when users need to mount Exchange database files:

• To keep Exchange Database information accessible when moving from one server to another.
• Accessing data when the original server crashes or goes down due to hardware failure or corruption.
• While upgrading from an older version to a new one, it may require mounting the databases.
• If the Exchange database gets corrupted or damaged, users repair and recover the data and later mount it on another server.
• Administrators might relocate databases for load balancing, performance, or change in their server roles.

Available Methods for Mounting Exchange Database on Different Servers

In this section, we will broadly discuss two categories of methods- manual and professional. Listed below are three main ways to mount an Exchange database:

1. Using Exchange Admin Center (EAC)
2. With Exchange Management Shell (PowerShell commands)
3. Professional recovery tool

But, before you proceed with the steps, read this section elaborating on important considerations before mounting:

• You must have administrator privileges for this.
• Make sure you take a backup of your database (EDB) files.
• Verify that the destination server meets all mounting requirements.
• In addition, cross-check how much disk space is available.
• And, note down the current database path.

Now, let us proceed with the step-by-step procedure mentioned further.

Use Exchange Admin Center (EAC) for Mounting Exchange Database

This process is performed via the Exchange Admin Center database management. It offers a visual (graphical) interface for mounting databases in Exchange 2013, 2016, and 2019. But before beginning with the procedure, fulfill the below-mentioned requirements.

Pre-Requisites

• Ensure you have the correct administrator login credentials to manage the Exchange environment.
• The Exchange Server and the settings and components should be set up correctly.
• Establishing a consistent and stable network connection is mandatory for smooth communication.

Steps to Move Mailbox Database to Another Server

1. Firstly, launch the Exchange Admin Center in your default browser.
2. Navigate to Servers and select the Databases option.
3. Next, locate your Exchange database from the list.
4. Click on database > press the More (፧) button
5. In the menu, choose the Mount option.
6. At last, confirm the mounting process when prompted.

Limitations of the EAC Method

• This process is limited to mounting only one database at a time.
• It might fail sometimes, especially if the database is corrupted.
• Doesn’t provide any automatic verification or detailed error reports.

Exchange Management Shell to Restore Exchange Database to Different Server

This process involves PowerShell commands for mounting purposes. For this process, you need to be careful with the syntaxes, however, PowerShell commands give more flexibility. Here are the needful:

• Must have access to Exchange Management Shell.
• Your Database file should be accessible.
• Locate and note the correct file paths.

Follow the steps mentioned below for smoothing mounting:

1. Launch the Exchange Management Shell.
2. Copy the database files to a new location:
   

   C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\Mailbox\

3. If needed, create a new database:
   

   New-MailboxDatabase -Name “NewDatabase” -EdbFilePath “C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\Mailbox\Database.edb” -LogFolderPath “C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\Mailbox”

4. Mounting an Exchange database:
   

   Mount-Database -Identity “DatabaseName”

5. Verify if mailbox mounting was successful:
   

   Get-MailboxDatabase | Format-Table Name, Mounted

This manual method is mostly preferred by tech experts but can be difficult for novice users.

Limitations of PowerShell Command Method

• If any Syntax mistakes happen it can cause errors.
• Users must have knowledge of the PowerShell command.
• It doesn’t automatically resolve corrupted databases.

As you can see both the manual methods have some limitations. So, there is an alternative method to overcome these limitations.

Professional Software to Mount an Exchange Database On Different Servers

If somehow the manual methods fail or get complicated, the Regain EDB Recovery Tool is a more reliable and safer option. This software is proficient and is designed for fixing corrupt Exchange database EDB files, without hampering the folder hierarchy. One can efficiently manage multiple databases at a time. It maintains the intact structure of the Exchange mailbox, preserving email properties. Moreover, the software works with all Exchange versions, latest or older. This utility also allows users to export Exchange data to multiple formats.

How to Restore Exchange Database to Different Server?

Here are the quick steps to move the Exchange mailbox database:

1. Download the EDB File Recovery Software and install it. Launch the software.
2. Locate EDB files on your system and add them to the software.
3. The software recovers and shows a preview Exchange mailbox.
4. Select the folders from the preview that you want to migrate.
5. Click on the Cloud Migration option and log in to the new server.
6. At last, tap on Convert Now to begin moving mailbox data.

Why Professional Software is the Best?

Explore why the EDB Recovery Software is the best practice for users:

1. Bulk-migrate multiple EDB files to a new account simultaneously.
2. Supports Exchange EDB files of all sizes including large files.
3. Repairs and recovers corrupted Exchange database efficiently.
4. Allows users to export Exchange mailbox to PST, PDF, MSG, EML, and more.
5. Doesn’t require any technical expertise, unlike the PowerShell method.
6. Windows OS-compatible software and self-explanatory GUI.

Conclusion

This blog discusses solutions on how to mount an Exchange database on different servers. The manual approach involves EAC and PowerShell commands. However, there are limitations and risks with this manual method. Therefore, professional software is a smarter choice for dealing with corrupted databases and supports bulk operations of EDB files. Make sure you keep a backup of your Exchange data before you start mounting a database. Further, find a solution that best suits your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions-

Q. How to migrate from one Exchange Server to another?

Ans– Migrating from one Exchange Server to another involves several tasks. It starts with the configuration of the new Exchange Server. After that, the mailboxes and public folders are transferred to the new server using the Exchange Management Console or PowerShell commands. Many users prefer using the Regain EDB Recovery Tool for speedy migration and for security purposes.

Q. How can I recover corrupted EDB files without using an Exchange Server?

Ans– Using Regain Exchange EDB File Recovery Software you can easily recover corrupt, damaged, and inaccessible EDB files. It enables users to migrate EDB files to various cloud platforms. Also, you do not have to depend on Exchange Server for recovering EDB files.