EDB stands for Exchange Database. An EDB file is a database file used by Microsoft Exchange Server to store mailbox data such as emails, contacts, calendar entries, tasks, and more. It is a proprietary file format that is designed to work with Exchange Server.

EDB files are critical components of Exchange Server and are used to store all mailbox data for users on the server. They are binary files that contain a combination of structured and unstructured data. The data is stored in a database format that is optimized for performance and reliability.

EDB files can become corrupt or damaged due to various reasons such as hardware failure, software bugs, virus attacks, or improper shutdown of the server. When an EDB file becomes corrupt, it can cause data loss or lead to Exchange Server downtime. It is essential to have a backup of EDB files and to know how to convert them to other formats like PST for disaster recovery purposes.

In addition to being used by Exchange Server to store mailbox data, EDB files are also used to store other Exchange Server data like public folders, address lists, and more. The EDB file format has evolved over time with the different versions of Exchange Server.

The structure of an EDB file consists of database pages that are organized into tables, indexes, and other structures. Each page has a header that describes the type of page, its size, and other information. The pages contain data in the form of records, which can be indexed and searched.

In Exchange Server, the EDB file is the primary data storage location for mailbox data. When a user sends or receives an email, it is stored in the EDB file. When a user deletes an email, it is marked for deletion in the EDB file and is not immediately removed. The deleted email is retained in the EDB file until the Exchange Server maintenance process permanently removes it. In Exchange Server, the EDB file is accompanied by other files like transaction log files (which store changes made to the database) and checkpoint files (which track the progress of database transactions). These files work together to ensure the consistency and reliability of the Exchange Server database.

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