EXCHANGE RANGER

We are migrating!

2017-01-17T21:35:00.000+05:30

Hello All,

We are migrating to better hosting solution, we should be back soon!

Cheers,
Gulab Prasad

Sorry, we'are having server problems, so we can't add Office 365 SharePoint right now. Please try again later.

2017-01-03T00:15:00.000+05:30

When configuring Outlook 2016 for Mac with Office 365 account I got this strange looking error.
"Sorry, we'are having server problems, so we can't add Office 365 SharePoint right now. Please try again later."

User was trying to add another Office 365 Mailbox in same Outlook profile. Same thing worked fine on other Mac machine and Windows machine, also the same account could be configured in default Mail App on Mac.

Issue: Mac User Profile
Resolution: Create new Mac User Profile with Admin rights

Created the new Mac profile with admin rights and logged into Mac with new profile. Configured both the Office 365 Mailbox in same Outlook profile and it worked just fine.

Note: The error message has nothing to do with SharePoint, its just confusing message. There is no other solution available @ this point of time from Microsoft.

Cheers,
-Gulab Prasad

Text messaging in Exchange Server 2013

2017-01-02T19:58:00.000+05:30

Configure SMS Text Message Notification for various situation like Calendar notifications, Voice mail notifications, Email notifications if your user's Mailbox hosted in Exchange Server 2013.

By default Test Messaging feature is enabled on the server.

Here is the command to enable or disable text messaging:

Get-OwaVirtualDirectory | Set-OwaVirtualDirectory –TextMessagingEnabled $true
Get-OwaVirtualDirectory | Set-OwaVirtualDirectory –TextMessagingEnabled $false

Note: This feature is only available in 3 countries at this time. US, Canada and Romania. Hope Microsoft will add lot more countries in the list soon.

Click on Phone under options, click on Text Messaging and click on turn on notifications.

After you click on turn on notifications you will get popup windows to select Country and Operator.

Click on Next and here enter your Mobile Number ###-###-####

Once you click on next an text message will be sent to you from you operator which will have the 6 digit pass code.
Note: This text message will be chargeable to you

Click on Finish and now your Mobile Phone is ready to receive Calendar notifications, Voice mail notifications, Email notifications.

Cheers,
Gulab Prasad

Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 3 Released

2016-09-21T12:44:00.001+05:30

Cumulative Update 3 for Exchange Server 2016 resolves issues that were found in Exchange Server 2016 since the software was released. This update roll-up is highly recommended for all Exchange Server 2016 customers. You can download Exchange Server 2016 CU3 from here...
Few BIG changes/support/features:

Windows Server 2016 Support
.Net 4.6.2 Support
High Availability Improvements
Refreshed People Experience in Outlook on the web

For detailed information on new features and supports refer to below article

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/exchange/2016/09/20/released-september-2016-quarterly-exchange-updates/

Cheers,

-Gulab Prasad

Outlook for Mac and public folder access

2016-08-03T14:26:00.003+05:30

Microsoft released a fix for public folder access by Outlook for Mac for Exchange On Premises and Office 365.

Exchange Server 2013 introduced modern public folders and also shift in the way clients access the public folders. Ever since, the Outlook for Mac client had limited or no support for public folders.

This article provides an update on how Outlook 2016 for Mac clients can access public folders in various topologies.

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/exchange/2016/07/25/outlook-for-mac-and-public-folder-access/

Cheers,
-Gulab Prasad

Office 365 Mailbox Migration Script

2016-07-10T12:12:00.000+05:30

This Office 365 Mailbox Migration Script will help you migrate from Exchange 2010, 2013 and 2016 On Premises to Office 365. It has several script and primary script will call the other scripts to complete the process.
Once script is completed running, it will generate the logs too, in case of error you can review the logs to troubleshoot the issue.

You can download it from here...

This software (or sample code) is not supported under any Microsoft standard support program or service. The software is provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. Microsoft further disclaims all implied warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk arising out of the use or performance of the software and documentation remains with you. In no event shall Microsoft, its authors, or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the software be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use the software or documentation, even if Microsoft has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Cheers,
Gulab Prasad

Conferencing modalities no longer function in Lync Server 2010, Lync Server 2013, or Skype for Business Server 2015 after you install Security Bulletin MS16-065

2016-05-23T14:12:00.003+05:30

This problem occurs because an information disclosure vulnerability exists in the Transport Layer Security protocol and the Secure Sockets Layer protocol (TLS/SSL) as they are implemented in the encryption component of the Microsoft .NET Framework. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can decrypt encrypted TLS/SSL traffic.

Here is the resolutions...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3165438

Cheers,
Gulab Prasad

Office 365 Analytics, Reporting and Operations with 4WARD365

2016-05-15T13:16:00.000+05:30

So, you have been doing lot of successful Office 365 migration from On-Premises Exchange, Lync, and SharePoint Servers etc. and I am sure all of them end up in successful migration and you client is happy too.

I have been doing lot of Office 365 migration since few years and its fun (especially when it’s Hybrid). Every time you migrate On-Premises users to Office 365 there will be request from the client for some kind of report on existing usage of Office 365, how many users are moved to Office 365, what time of users are they, delegations, what type of licenses users have been assigned etc. These questions are expected questions as you already know and you would have prepared yourself for these questions along with PowerShell Scripts.

Here are some of the scripts you prepared in advance as these will come as a question from the client.

Report on License Per User.
Report on License as per location.
Report on License as which user is Using just Exchange Online and SharePoint.
Report on Users using Office Online Pro and One Drive and Yammer.
Report on Users Using Intune based on location.

The list can go on and on and on, now your customers wants these report to be emailed to the Admin and their managers too. Well which can be done just adding few lines in PowerShell.

But…

What if there a tool, a web based tool available which can do all of these and more, more as not just reporting but management of your Office 365 environment and takes care of your everyday operations too.

4WARD365 does exactly the same and it has almost all the stack covered which runs in Office 365, Azure and CRM Online.

I have been exploring this tool and I found it way more useful and super easy to use than any other tool available in the market.

Reporting:

Reporting can be done at the granular level as granular as single license and user. 4WARD365 can report on every aspect of Office 365 features your organization is using. Here are some of the reports.

Mail Traffic Reports:

Yammer Reports:

Reports:

Management:
In terms of management I can’t write everything here as what all you can manage. Check out the screenshot.

Audit:
Audit can be done for Azure AD, Exchange, One Drive and SharePoint. Skype of Business is coming VERY SOON! Operation on Audit can be performed at numerous levels. Some of the examples below.

There are lot of other features are going to be added at the end of 2^nd Q, those new features will be free and you don’t have to pay anything extra depending upon the subscription you are using.

4WARD365 can also be used to report and manage On Premises Active Directory and Exchange Servers.

Note: 4WARD365 supports SSO.

Cheers,

Gulab Prasad

Skype for Business Server 2015 now available for public download

2015-07-01T16:51:00.000+05:30

Microsoft finally released Skype for Business Server 2015 for public download. You can download from here

Cheers,
Gulab Prasad

Active Directory Discovery Scripts

2015-04-01T01:32:00.003+05:30

Active Directory Discovery Scripts will get you the report from your existing environment.
These scripts include list of below application/technologies.

Requirements:
Windows PowerShell 2.0
Administrator Rights
Execution Policy Requirement: Remote Signed, run it from Windows Server 2008 for best result.

Download from here

Courtesy: Bill Sawyer, Scott Link and Burris Walker

Cheers,

Gulab Prasad

Lync Server 2010 and 2013 Migration to Skype for Business 2015

2015-03-18T17:40:00.000+05:30

Lync Server 2010 and 2013 Migration to Skype for Business 2015. Download the Deployment and Upgrading to Skype for Business Server 2015 from here

Cheers,
-Gulab Prasad

Deploy and Configure Active Directory RMS 2012 for Exchange 2013 Part-1

2015-01-03T00:51:00.000+05:30

Deploy Active Directory Rights Management Services 2012 R2

Installing Active Directory Right Management Services 2012 has some prerequisites like creating Service Account, Security Groups and DNS record.

Service Account: ADRMSSVC
Security Group: ADRMS_SuperUsers and Executives

DNS A record: adrms.exchangeranger.net

Open Active Directory Users and Computers and create Service Accounts "adrmssvc" and Host A record in DNS.

Create Security Groups ADRMS_SuperUsers and Executives

Create Host A record in DNS.

Note: This host A record will point to certificate and url name as https://adrms.exchangeranger.net and IP address 192.168.1.109 is of adrms01 server.

Start the installation of Active Directory Right Management Services Role.

Now click on Post deployment-configuration in Server Manager.

Note: I am using Windows Internal Database for this article.

Select Connection Type as SSL and before you click on next you will have to request and the certificate from Active Directory RMS server and complete the request. Open IIS Manager and select click on adrms server and click on Server Certificates under feature view. Click on Create Domain Certificate in the action pan.

If you get the above error message than go to your Certificate Authority Server and restart the Certificate Service. After restarting the service click on finish and the request will complete.
Now click on next on Cluster Address window and continue the process.

Click on close and open Server Manager and click on Tools and click on Active Directory Rights Management Services.

While opening the console if you get the below warning message that means you will have to install the certificate on adrms01 server.

After you click on Yes it will give you the below error message. Reason for this message is because name (adrms) on the certificate is different as what the name of the server (adrms01).

You will have create 2 DWORDS on the server under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Lsa and create DWORD DisableLoopbackCheck and value 1. Second DWORD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters create DWORD "DisableStrickNameChecking" and value 1. After making the changes restart the server and after that console will open without any error.

This completes deployment of Active Directory Rights Management Services, in next part we will see how to configure ADRMS for Exchange Server 2013.

Cheers,
Gulab Prasad

How to customize Exchange Server 2013 OWA Log In Page

2015-01-01T12:57:00.000+05:30

I have been asked to customize Outlook Web App page several time in past by some of my clients.

Customizing Outlook Web App (OWA) page in Exchange 2013 is easy as compare to other previous versions.

Default OWA login page is regular Blue and White theme.

You will have change few file to make Log In page the way you want it to look.

On Client Access Server you will have to browse the location where all the theme files are store.
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\FrontEnd\HttpProxy\owa\auth\15.0.995\themes

Note: Before you make any changes to the existing files, make sure you take a backup of all the files by copying and pasting it some where on the server or on the network.

For this article I am making changes on 2 files which are highlighted olk_logo_white and owa_text_blue

Copy and paste the file and click on replace button once get the pop after pasting the file.

There's one more location you can make the changes. In IIS you can do the same thing.

After making the changes you can login to the owa URL in my case its https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/owa and you should see the new owa login page.

Cheers,
Gulab Prasad

Exchange Server 2010 To 2013 Migration Guide

2014-12-28T04:27:00.000+05:30

Ending my year with Exchange Server 2010 To 2013 Migration Guide. I hope it helps to accomplish your migration project.

Signing out from year 2014. Wish you all very happy and prosperous year 2015.

Cheers,
Gulab Prasad

How to Request and Configure Exchange Server 2013 Certificate

2014-12-11T03:45:00.001+05:30

I wrote one small guide on "How to Request and Configure Exchange Server 2013 Certificate".
You can download this guide from the below link.

Cheers,

Cannot access LcsCDR or QoEMetricson Monitoring back-end database.Verify that these databases has been deployed, and that access to the Monitoring back-end database is not blocked by firewall.

2014-12-06T16:17:00.002+05:30

While deploying Lync Server 2013 Archiving and Monitoring role, I ran into the below error message.

Check your SQL Server which will be used for Archiving and Monitoring for Lync Server 2013. I found that databases were not created.

Resolution:
Login to your SQL Server and open SQL Server Management Studio and connect to the SQL Server. Create LcsCDR and QoEMetrics database manually.

Rerun the deployment again and it will complete successfully.

Cheers,

How to Install and Configure Exchange 2013 Edge Server

2014-10-11T19:58:00.003+05:30

It's been long time I wrote any articles, but it's good to be back. In this article we will learn how to install and configure Exchange Server 2013 Edge Transport Role.
LAB environment:

2 Windows Server 2008 R2 Domain Controller
1 Exchange Server 2013 CU5 with Mailbox and CAS Server Role on Windows Server 2012 R2
1 Exchange Server 2013 CU5 Edge Server Role on Windows Server 2012 R2
2 NIC Card, 1 Internal and 1 External

The Edge Transport Server is not an Active Directory domain joined server, but it should have a normal FQDN which should be resolvable from the Internet. In the lab I am using exch03.exchangeranger.net for the server FQDN.

After installing the Windows Server 2012 R2 rename the server as per your requirement and add the Suffix, in my case it's exchangeranger.net

As the Edge Transport server is using the internal DNS servers for name resolution this should not be a problem on the Edge Transport Server, but on the internal network you have to add the Edge Transport server manually to the internal DNS servers. Create Host record in DNS for Edge Server.

First we will have to install prerequisites for Exchange 2013 Edge Transport Server by running the below commands:

Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS

Install-WindowsFeature ADLDS

Start the installation of Edge Transport Server 2013.

Next part is to make sure that Edge Server is able to ping the Mailbox Server and vise versa.

When I pinged the Mailbox Server from Edge Server it failed.

Make sure you disable the Windows Firewall on both Mailbox and Edge Server.

After disabling the Firewall you can ping the server both way.

Now the next part is to create the Edge Subscription.

To create the Edge Subscription file open the Exchange Management Shell and enter the following command:

New-EdgeSubscription –FileName C:\EdgeSubscription\Edge01.xml

Copy the XML file from Edge Transport to Mailbox Server to a location on the local disk in my case it's C:\EdgeSubscription drive of the Exchange 2013 Mailbox server. To import the XML file open the Exchange Management Shell and enter the following command:

New-EdgeSubscription -FileData ([byte[]]$(Get-Content -Path “C:\EdgeSubscription\Edge01.xml” -Encoding Byte -ReadCount 0)) -Site “Default-First-Site-Name”

Once you are done with Importing XML file on Mailbox Server successfully you need to start the Edge Synchronization, to start it we need run Start-EdgeSynchronization on Mailbox Server.

In the output above you see Result: CouldNotConnect and FailureDetails: The LDAP server is unavailable, don't panic give this process sometime and you will see Result: Success and FailureType: None as shown in below image.

Now it's time to get this newly installed Edge Server to work specifying it in a Smart Host on existing Send Connector on Mailbox Server or creating the new Send Connector all together. We are going to create new Send Connector named Internet.

Note: Make sure you restart MSExchange Transport Service on Mailbox Server after creating the Send Connector.

Cheers,

Cumulative Update 6 for Exchange Server 2013

2014-08-28T12:27:00.000+05:30

Microsoft released Cumulative Update 6 for Exchange Server 2013. You can download from here...

This Cumulative Update comes with several and some of the important fixes. Some of those are...

Blank page after you sign in to Exchange Server 2013 EAC (formerly ECP)
OAB generation fails if FIPS is used in an Exchange Server 2013 environment
You cannot access the archive mailbox of a delegated user after enabling MAPI over HTTP
Exchange Server 2010 public folder replication fails in an Exchange Server 2013 environment
Duplicate mailbox folders after migration to Exchange Server 2013

List of Issues that the cumulative update resolves KB2961810

Cheers,

How to configure Exchange Server 2013 Virtual Directories

2014-06-21T19:51:00.000+05:30

After you installed Exchange Server Certificate and enabled the services on Certificate like IIS, SMTP, UM etc. You will have configure the virtual directories so that you can access the resources like OWA, ECP, Autodiscover, ActiveSync, OutlookAnywhere from Exchange Server.
There are several articles available on the internet, still I thought of writing one [for myselft ;) ]

Here is the list of commands you need to run to configure the different Virtual Directories. Run Get- commands to check if you have configured the Virtual Directories properly or not.

Exchange Control Panel:
Get-ecpVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" | Set-ecpVirtualDirectory -InternalURL https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/ecp -ExternalURL https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/ecp
Get-ECPVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" | Fl InternalURL,ExternalURL

Outlook Web App:
Get-OwaVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" | Set-OwaVirtualDirectory -InternalURL https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/owa -ExternalURL https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/owa
Get-OWAVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" | Fl internalUrl,ExternalURL

EWS (Exchange Web Services):
Get-WebservicesVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" | Set-WebservicesVirtualDirectory -InternalURL https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/EWS/Exchange.asmx -ExternalURL https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/EWS/Exchange.asmx
Get-WebservicesVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" |Fl internalURL,ExternalURL

Autodiscover:
Set-ClientAccessServer "ExchangeServerName" -AutodiscoverServiceInternalUri https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/Autodiscover/Autodiscover.xml
Get-ClientAccessServer "ExchangeServerName" | Fl AutodiscoverServiceInternalUri

ActiveSync:
Get-ActiveSyncVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" | Set-ActiveSyncVirtualDirectory -InternalURL https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/Microsoft-Server-ActiveSync -ExternalURL https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/Microsoft-Server-ActiveSync
Get-ActiveSyncVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" | Fl InternalURL,ExternalURL

Offline Address Book:
Get-OABVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" | Set-OABVirtualDirectory -InternalUrl https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/OAB -ExternalURL https://webmail.exchangeranger.net/OAB
Get-OABVirtualDirectory -Server "ExchangeServerName" | Fl InternalURL,ExternalURL

OutlookAnywhere:
Set-OutlookAnywhere -Identity "ExchangeServerName"\Rpc (Default Web Site)" -InternalHostname webmail.exchangeranger.net -ExternalHostName webmail.exchangeranger.net -InternalClientAuthenticationMethod ntlm -InternalClientsRequireSsl:$True -ExternalClientAuthenticationMethod Basic -ExternalClientsRequireSsl:$True
Get-OutlookAnywhere -Identity "ExchangeServerName"\rpc (Default Web Site)" |fl InternalHostName,InternalClientAuthenticationMethod,InternalClientsRequiressl,
ExternalHostName,ExternalClientAuthenticationMethod,ExternalClientsRequiressl

Cheers,

BitTitan Data Encryption for your email in the cloud

2014-06-14T23:04:00.002+05:30

Maintain ownership and control of your information with BitTitan Data Encryption, a monthly service that ensures your company’s internal email security by encrypting your Office 365 Outlook data. BitTitan Data Encryption, the latest addition to the BitTitan suite of offerings, provides a persistent layer of protection for your email in the cloud.

Moving to the cloud makes a lot of sense – it saves money, simplifies support, and allows a flexible approach to IT as your company grows. It’s definitely the best option in today’s marketplace. But when you give up control and place your vital information in someone else’s hands, there are security and privacy questions you need to consider:

How do you make sure that your information stays private?

Where are the keys that protect your data stored?

How do you prevent loss of information from theft, accidents, or government snooping?

Do your existing security measures account for all states of data? At rest, in use, and in transit?

How do you make sure you are complying with laws that make you fully liable for the protection of private personal, medical, or financial information you handle?

For more information visit http://www.bittitan.com/DataEncryption

Script to get Mailbox Information

2014-06-05T05:24:00.005+05:30

I was deploying archiving solution for Exchange 2010 for more than 20K seats environment. And I have been asked by the vendor to find certain information for all the Mailboxes in exchange environment, like TotalItemSize, TotalDeletedItemSize, ItemCount and DeletedItemCount.

I came up with the below script which made the JOB easy. I ran the script per Exchange Server, but you can also run it per Mailbox Database, you just need to change the switch from -Server to -Database.

Get-Mailbox -Server "MailboxServerName" -ResultSize Unlimited -IgnoreDefaultScope -RecipientTypeDetails UserMailbox,RoomMailbox,EquipmentMailbox,SharedMailbox | Get-MailboxStatistics | Select DisplayName,@{expression={$_.TotalItemSize.value.ToMB()};label="TotalItemSize(MB)"},@{expression={$_.TotalDeletedItemSize.Value.ToMB()};Label="TotalDeletedItemSize(MB)"},ItemCount,DeletedItemCount,Database,OrganizationalUnit | Export-Csv C:\temp\Content.csv

If you want to run it across your Exchange environment without using Server or Database switch, then just run Get-Mailbox only.
You can also add other attributes like SentItems, Attachment etc. to the script.
This script can be run on Exchange Server 2010 and 2013.

Cheers,

Update Rollup 6 for Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3

2014-05-28T11:55:00.001+05:30

Update Rollup 6 for Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3. This updated fixes several important issues. You can download it from here...

Update Rollup 6 for Exchange Server 2010 SP3 resolves the issues: KB2936871

Cheers,

Cumulative Update 5 for Exchange Server 2013 SP1

2014-05-28T11:37:00.000+05:30

Microsoft has released much awaited Cumulative Update 5 for Exchange Server 2013 SP1. You can download it from here...

Update resolves the issues KB2936880

Cheers,

Exchange Server 2013 SP1 Architecture Poster

2014-04-22T11:43:00.000+05:30

Exchange Server 2013 SP1 Architecture Poster. There are lots of changes in the diagram as compare to Exchange 2013 RTM. Download from here...

Cheers,

Unable to determine the installed file version from the registry key 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShell\1\PowerShellEngine'.

2014-04-20T21:25:00.002+05:30

Today I planned to work on Exchange 2013 in my LAB, thought of playing around with it. So I opened Exchange Management Shell and guess what I have been greeted with!!!

I started regedit on the server and went to the location "'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShell\1" but I couldn't find "PowerShellEngine" Key at the location, it was missing.

Now, what are the options I have to fix it?
1: Reinstall PowerShell 1.0, well which would be hilariously crazy, as this is Windows Server 2012 R2.
2: I can take a look on other server (2008 or 2012) to see if the value is present.

So I looked at another server, which is Exchange 2010 running on Windows 2008 R2. And this is how it looks.

I can export PowerShellEngine Key, save it and move it on Windows 2012 and Import it under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShell\1". Or create all the 6 strings manually.

Well I chose to do manually ;). Created the Key "PowerShellEngine" under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PowerShell\1.
Created all 6 Strings under "PowerShellEngine". and copied the values from Windows Server 2008.
1: ApplicationBase
2: ConsoleHostAssemblyName
3: ConsoleHostModuleName
4: PowerShellVersion
5: PSCompatibleVersion
6: RuntimeVersion.

Restarted the server after creating the Key and Strings. And Exchange Management Shell started without any errors.

Cheers,