Moving 2003 Domain Controller to new machine

Hi friends

This article explains the steps to be followed when moving 2003 DC from to new built server machine. In small organisation, after some period moving DC to new server hardware happens in common. The following gives you the step by step procedure for moving domain controller to the new hardware.

Let us consider the servername as oldserver and newserver and domainname as test.com. The oldserver is the PDC with active directory integrated DNS.

Initail configuration of newserver:

1. Install the server OS, latest SP and patches.
2. Join in test.com domain.

Configure as Additional DC:

Use Dcpromo to promote the newserver as the additional domain controller.

Configuring DNS Server:

Install DNS in newserver as primary active directory integrated by giving the domain name as test.com. Add oldserver as name server and also in vice versa. Allow zone transfer between the name servers. After some time, ie, once the replication is over, change the oldserver as secondary dns server. Now the name resolution part is complete.

Test Connectivity with DCDIAG:

Use Dcdiag.exe support tool to test the connectivity between the DC's.

Role Transfer:

Now using the ntdsutil, we transfer the roles from the oldserver to the newserver.

C:\ntdsutil
Ntdsutil: roles
Fsmo maintenance: connections
Server connections: connect to server servername
Server connections: q
Fsmo maintenance: Transfer domain naming master or
Transfer infrastructure master or
Transfer PDC or
Transfer RID master or
Transfer schema master


Test the role transfer succesful completion sattus using the below command

dumpfsmos servername (here in our eg, dumpfsmos newserver)

Now, the newserver is your primary domain controller for the domain test.com

Thanks

Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Exchange Tool - ESEUTIL.EXE

ESEUTIL is a tool to defragment your exchange databases offline, to check their integrity and to repair a damaged/lost database.
ESEUTIL is located in the \EXCHSRVR\BIN directory. This directory is not in the system path so you must open the tool in the BIN directory or enhance the system path with the \EXCHSRVR\BIN directory
Exchange 2003 defragments the Exchange database every night. But this is only an online defrag of the database. An online defrag doesn’t reduce the size of the information store. To reduce the size of the databases, you must use an offline defrag.
Under normal conditions you don't need an offline defrag, but when you add tons of new users due to a merger or aquisition or when you delete many objects from the store it can be necessary to do an offline defrag.

Full list of Eseutil switches for Windows Exchange:

1. Eseutil /cc Performs a hard recovery after a database restore.
2. Eseutil /mc To determine the space.
3. Eseutil /d Performs an offline compaction/defragmentation of a database.
4. Eseutil /g Verifies the integrity of a database.
5. Eseutil /k Verifies the checksums of a database.
6. Eseutil /m Generates formatted output of various database file types. e.g. /mh
7. Eseutil /p Repairs a corrupted or damaged database.
8. Eseutil /r Performs soft recovery to bring a single database into a consistent or clean shutdown state.
9. Eseutil /y Copies a database, streaming file, or log file.

Examples:

1. To determine the space availability (110% free space associated with the database to perform the defragmentation):

C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\bin>eseutil.exe /ms "C:\Program files\Exchsrvr\MDBDATA\priv1.edb"

2. To Defragment the store for compaction of space:

C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\bin>eseutil.exe /d "C:\Program files\Exchsrvr\MDBDATA\priv1.edb"

3. To check the integrity of database(this integrity check does not support the database recovery like ISINTEG Tool)

C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\bin>eseutil.exe /g "C:\Program files\Exchsrvr\MDBDATA\priv1.edb"

Like wise eseutil /p - repair is used in congestion with the isinteg to repair the damaged store from the scratch.

Thanks

Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Quick Reboot - Exchange 2000 or 2003 / DC Server

The reboot time of exchange server machine generaly takes time and in Domian controller it takes more time. To enable the quick reboot for the exchange server follow the below steps.

1. Create a batch file called ExchShutdown.bat.

Open notepad and type the following
net stop MSExchangeES /y
net stop MSExchangeIS /y
net stop MSExchangeMTA /y
net stop MSExchangeSA /y
net stop WinHttpAutoProxySvc /y

2. Open the gpedit.msc
Computer settings --> windows settings --> Scripts(startup/shutdown) --> right pane - shutdown properties --> add --> Choose ExchShutdown.bat

3. Close all and run gpupdate to refresh the group policy.

The procedure is completed.

Thanks
Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Subversion

Subversion is a free/open-source version control system. That is, Subversion manages files and directories, and the changes made to them, over time. This allows you to recover older versions of your data, or examine the history of how your data changed. Subversion can operate across networks, which allows it to be used by people on different computers. At some level, the ability for various people to modify and manage the same set of data from their respective locations fosters collaboration.

The goal of the Subversion project is to build a version control system that is a compelling replacement for CVS in the open source community

Install Subversion:

rpm –qa | grep subversion
yum install subversion

Plan and create the Repository Location:
Create directory for the repository
#mkdir /home/subversion
To create a repository use the below command
#svnadmin create /home/subversion

Importing Initial data into the Repository:

1. Import from local machine

svn import /home/loguinfo.com file:///home/subversion/loguinfo.com/trunk -m “Initial load for loguinfo.com by logu”

2. Import from Remote machine using Subversion client

svn import /home/loguinfo.com svn+ssh://username@server.com/loguinfo.com/trunk –m “Initial import for loguinfo.com by logu”

3. Import from Remote machine using TortoiseSVN

a. Select folder with project files
b. Right-click and select the TortoiseSVN Import option
c. Specify path of new project repository

Now, the repository has some project folders.

Getting working Copy for editing (For eg changing/editing the website code)

svn checkout svn+ssh://username@server.com/loguinfo.com/trunk /localhome/myproject/loguinfo.com

So now you have a local copy of the project code. Enter your working copy and edit a file's contents.

Run svn commit to commit the new version of your file to the repository.

Run svn update to bring your working copy “up-to-date” with the repository.

Thanks
Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

IMF - Intelligent Message Filter

Hi friends

This articles explains the functions, working and configuration of IMF in windows exchange mail environment.

IMF:
Microsoft Exchange Intelligent Message Filter is a product developed by Microsoft to help companies reduce the amount of unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE), or spam, received by users.

Intelligent Message Filter is based on Microsoft SmartScreen Technology from Microsoft Research. By using e-mail characteristics tracked by SmartScreen technology, Intelligent Message Filter can help determine whether each incoming e-mail message is likely to be spam. Based on this likelihood, you can choose to block e-mail messages at the gateway or at the mailbox store.

Avialability:
IMF is one of the new feature available in exchange 2003 when compared with exchange 2000.

In Exchange Server 2003 with SP2:
It is an integral part of the SP2 pack. IMF is located in the path Exchange System Manager --> Global settings --> message delivery --> properties.

In Exchange Server 2003 with SP1:
It is also an integral part of the SP1 pack. But, IMF is located in the path System Manager --> Administrative groups --> First administrative group --> servers --> active servername --> Protocols --> SMTP --> Intelligent Message Filtering --> properties.

In Exchange Server 2003 without SP1/SP2:

1. Download ExchangeIMF.msi file from the microsoft site.
2. Accept the License Agreement, and in the screen, select to install both the Management Tools for IMF and the IMF Functionality.
3. Click Finish.
4. Restart the services SMTP, NNTP, Exchange POP3, Exchange IMAP, Exchange Routing engine and FTP publishing services.

Configuring IMF:

Configuring Intelligent Message Filter involves two settings:

1. Gateway Blocking Configuration - In Gateway Blocking Configuration, you establish a threshold based on a spam confidence level (SCL) rating above which the gateway server takes action on the message. You also define the type of action you want the gateway to take.

2. Store Junk E-mail Configuration - In Store Junk E-mail Configuration, you define the thresholds based on an SCL rating that Microsoft Exchange 2003 mailbox stores use to determine whether to deliver messages to a user's Inbox or Junk E-mail folder.

Thanks

Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Configuring SSL for IIS

Hi friends,

This article explains how to configure your IIS based website to communicate with the secure socket layer shortly called as SSL. The SSL enable us to have the secure website in turn also for the access of user's mailbox from the OWA from the Internet world. The SSL works in close with the CA called Certificate Authority. Here i am going to explain SSL website building with the basic standalone root certificate available with the server 2003 add remove components.

Install Certificate Authority:

Go to add / remove components and install the Certificate services.

Configuring Website:

1. Open IIS console
2. Right click the Website (here Default website)
3. Directory security
4. Server certificate
5. New server certificate
6. Immediate request options
7. Give the appropriate name, organization name and unit, common name
8. Leave the default port number and other values.
9. Select the appropriate certificate
10. On the Certificate Request Submission page, click Next to submit the request, and then click Finish to complete the wizard.


Enabling the SSL to the Website:

1. Open IIS console
2. Right click the Website (here Default website)
3. Directory security and click Edit.
4. click the Require secure channel (SSL) check box, click the Require 128-bit encryption check box, and then click OK.
5. Make sure Basic authentication is alone checked.

Testing:

Open your browser and then try out any possible urls.
For eg http://localhost/exchange
When you try the above option it will throw an error.
But, if you try with SSL option https://localhost/exchange , it works.

Thanks
Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

MySQL Admin Tips

Hi friends,

This article gives you the quick start admin guide for MySQL.

# change root password
$ mysql -u root
set password for root@localhost = password('abcd');
set password for root@localhost = '';
flush privileges;
quit;

# create new database
$ mysql -p -u root
CREATE DATABASE amarok;
USE mysql;
GRANT ALL ON amarok.* TO amarok@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'PASSWORD_CHANGE_ME';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

# get the config variables
mysqladmin -u root variables
for example, to find the datadir
mysqladmin -u root variables | grep 'datadir'

# rename a DB
mysqladmin -u root create boss
mysqldump -u root --opt boss_dev >db.sql
mysql -u root boss mysql> revoke all on boss_dev.* from 'old_db_user'@'localhost';

# give access from remote host
GRANT ALL ON *.* TO 'root'@'192.168.1.%';

# user management
select host, db, user from db;
revoke all on noss2_prd.* from 'boss2'@'localhost';
select host, user, password from user;
delete from user where user like 'dep%';

# procedures
select routine_schema, specific_name from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.ROUTINES;

# views
select table_schema, table_name from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.VIEWS;

# tables
SELECT table_schema, table_name, table_type, engine, data_length
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES
WHERE table_schema = 'boss' AND table_name like 'audit%';

SELECT table_name, data_length FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES WHERE table_schema = 'boss' AND table_name like 'audit%';

SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES WHERE table_schema = 'boss' AND table_name = 'audit'\G

DROP TABLE audit_20060427102929;
DROP TABLE boss_2006apr27094201;

Thanks
Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

More SWAP space with a SWAP file

Hi Friends,

There is a possibility for adding extra swap space even after installation. The swap space is nothing but a virtual memory (Hard disk space acting as a RAM space). Any linux distribution requires the swap space for deploying the kernel. The recommended swap space is to be twice that of the RAM size. In case, you are starting from a scratch or forget to allocate the required space for the /swap partition at the time of installation, no harm it can be extended easily.

The trick is to make a file and then tell the swapon program to use it. Here's how to create, for example, a 64
megs swap file on your root partition (of course make sure you have at least 64 megs free):

dd if=/dev/zero of=/swapfile bs=1024 count=65536

This will make a 64 megs (about 67 millions bytes) file on your hard drive. You now need to initialize it:

mkswap /swapfile 65536
sync

And you can then add it to your swap pool:

swapon /swapfile

With that you have 64 megs of swap added. Don't forget to add the swapon command to your startup files (chkconfig --list) so that the command will be repeated at each reboot.

Thanks

Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Group policy update forcing

Hi friends

To force the client machine to get the recent group policy from the server use the below options,

For 2000 Clients :

* SECEDIT /REFRESHPOLICY MACHINE_POLICY /ENFORCE:

Immediately imposes group policy object settings located within the "machine" node of relevant group policy objects.

* SECEDIT /REFRESHPOLICY USER_POLICY /ENFORCE:

Immediate imposes group policy object settings located within the "User" node of the relevant group policy objects

For XP Clients:

gpupdate - To update the group policy in the client machine.

gpresult - To view the resultant set of applied policy to the client machine from the server.

Thanks

Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Server NT Vs Server 2000

Hi friends

This articles give the compare and contrast chart of features between server NT and server 2000. The following points in each category makes comparison respectively.

SERVER NT:

1. SAM(Security account manager) database for user acc creations
2. No AD
3. PDC, BDC(has no write permission) env
4. No fsmo roles
5. Dhcp works independently
6. No ICS,NAT,VPN,RRAS,ATM
7. No IE 4.0 and IE 5.0
8. No NLB and Clustering
9. No predictable end to end ,QOS
10. No IAS,RADIUS,Kerberos V5
11. No EFS
12. No development support
13. No terminal services
14. No IIS 5.0 ,ASP
15. No IPP(Internet printing protocol)
16. No disk quota,DFS,etc

SERVER 2000 :

1. No SAM Database, inspite AD is used
2. AD Env (adv features integrates features like ease mgmt,centralized replication,etc)
3. PDC,ADC environment
4. Fsmo(flexible single master operation role) for replication b/w DC
5. Dhcp works paralelly with dns and AD
6. ICS,NAT,VPN,RRAS,ATM are added features
7. IE 4.0 and IE 5.0 supports Http compression
8. Supports NLB(network load balancing) and Clustering
9. Has predictable end to end ,QOS(quality of services)
10. Has improved authentication strategy like IAS,RADIUS,Kerberos V5
11. Support EFS(Encryption file system)
12. Has development support (VB 6.0)
13. Has terminal services
14. IIS 5.0, ASP are present
15. IPP(Internet printing protocol) are present
16. Disk quota mgmt,DFS are available

Thanks

Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Windows Shortcut Run Commands:

Hi friends,

I have seen many system administrator use to work fast while using their desktops and used to admire it. They never use mouse or surf through the start menu for reaching the particular application. So this article gives you the idea about the shortcuts for the run commands.

Working of Run Commands:

Each and every application will be having a executable file for its application and the respective core content will be stored in some executable path. Initially PATH variable will be set in the environmental variable settings tab.
(in my PC, it may have more values also in your PC)
$PATH = C:\Program Files\Support Tools\;%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\system32\WBEM;
C:\WINNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727;C:\sbin\svn\bin;C:\Program Files
\QuickTime\QTSystem\

Creating Shortcuts:

Creating shortcuts of your wish for particular application and for folders or files is also possible. Let me give a quick example suppose you want to create a shortcut for particular folder in some path.

1. Create folder say c:\shortcuts
2. Open Environmental settings tab of your computer and add "c:\shortcuts" to $PATH.
3. Right Click the folder you want to make shortcuts and create shortcut.
4. Rename the shortcut if you wish.
5. Paste the shortcut into "c:\shortcuts"

To test Open --> Run --> "shortcut name" . It will open the folder for which we have created the shortcut before.

Some Windows Run Commands:

1. Accessibility Controls - access.cpl
2. Add Hardware Wizard - hdwwiz.cpl
3. Add/Remove Programs - appwiz.cpl
4. Administrative Tools - control admintools
5. Automatic Updates - wuaucpl.cpl
6. Bluetooth Transfer Wizard - fsquirt
7. Calculator - calc
8. Certificate Manager - certmgr.msc
9. Character Map - charmap
10. Check Disk Utility - chkdsk
11. Clipboard Viewer - clipbrd
12. Command Prompt - cmd
13. Component Services - dcomcnfg
14. Computer Management - compmgmt.msc
15. timedate.cpl - ddeshare
16. Device Manager - devmgmt.msc
17. Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)* - directx.cpl
18. Direct X Troubleshooter - dxdiag
19. Disk Cleanup Utility - cleanmgr
20. Disk Defragment - dfrg.msc
21. Disk Management - diskmgmt.msc
22. Disk Partition Manager - diskpart
23. Display Properties - control desktop
24. Display Properties - desk.cpl
25. Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected) - control color
26. Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility - drwtsn32
27. Driver Verifier Utility - verifier
28. Event Viewer - eventvwr.msc
29. File Signature Verification Tool - sigverif
30. Findfast - findfast.cpl
31. Folders Properties - control folders
32. Fonts - control fonts
33. Fonts Folder - fonts
34. Free Cell Card Game - freecell
35. Game Controllers - joy.cpl
36. Group Policy Editor (XP Prof) - gpedit.msc
37. Hearts Card Game - mshearts
38. Iexpress Wizard - iexpress
39. Indexing Service - ciadv.msc
40. Internet Properties - inetcpl.cpl
41. IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration) - ipconfig /all
42. IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents) - ipconfig /displaydns
43. IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents) - ipconfig /flushdns
44. IP Configuration (Release All Connections) - ipconfig /release
45. IP Configuration (Renew All Connections) - ipconfig /renew
46. IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS) - ipconfig /registerdns
47. IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID) - ipconfig /showclassid
48. IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID) - ipconfig /setclassid
49. Java Control Panel (If Installed) - jpicpl32.cpl
50. Java Control Panel (If Installed) - javaws
51. Keyboard Properties - control keyboard
52. Local Security Settings - secpol.msc
53. Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc
54. Logs You Out Of Windows - logoff
55. Microsoft Chat - winchat
56. Minesweeper Game - winmine
57. Mouse Properties - control mouse
58. Mouse Properties - main.cpl
59. Network Connections - control netconnections
60. Network Connections - ncpa.cpl
61. Network Setup Wizard - netsetup.cpl
62. Notepad - notepad
63. Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed) - nvtuicpl.cpl
64. Object Packager - packager
65. ODBC Data Source Administrator - odbccp32.cpl
66. On Screen Keyboard - osk
67. Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed) - ac3filter.cpl
68. Password Properties - password.cpl
69. Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc
70. Performance Monitor - perfmon
71. Phone and Modem Options - telephon.cpl
72. Power Configuration - powercfg.cpl
73. Printers and Faxes - control printers
74. Printers Folder - printers
75. Private Character Editor - eudcedit
76. Quicktime (If Installed) - QuickTime.cpl
77. Regional Settings - intl.cpl
78. Registry Editor - regedit
79. Registry Editor - regedit32
80. Remote Desktop - mstsc
81. Removable Storage - ntmsmgr.msc
82. Removable Storage Operator Requests - ntmsoprq.msc
83. Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof) - rsop.msc
84. Scanners and Cameras - sticpl.cpl
85. Scheduled Tasks - control schedtasks
86. Security Center - wscui.cpl
87. Services - services.msc
88. Shared Folders - fsmgmt.msc
89. Shuts Down Windows - shutdown
90. Sounds and Audio - mmsys.cpl
91. Spider Solitare Card Game - spider
92. SQL Client Configuration - cliconfg
93. System Configuration Editor - sysedit
94. System Configuration Utility - msconfig
95. System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately) - sfc /scannow
96. System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot) - sfc /scanonce
97. System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot) - sfc /scanboot
98. System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting) - sfc /revert
99. System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache) - sfc /purgecache
100. System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x) - sfc /cachesize=x
101. System Properties - sysdm.cpl
102. Task Manager - taskmgr
103. Telnet Client - telnet
104. User Account Management - nusrmgr.cpl
105. Utility Manager - utilman
106. Windows Firewall - firewall.cpl
107. Windows Magnifier - magnify
108. Windows Management Infrastructure - wmimgmt.msc
109. Windows System Security Tool - syskey
110. Windows Update Launches - wupdmgr
111. Windows XP Tour Wizard - tourstart
112. Wordpad - write
113. Microsoft Outlook - Outlook
114. Microsoft Word - Winword
115. Acrobat Reader - Acrord32
116. Active Dir Users and Comp - Dsa.msc
117. Routing and remote access - Rrasmgmt.msc
118. DNS - Dnsmgmt.msc
119. Add/remove Programs - Appwiz.cpl
120. Display property - Desk.cpl

Thanks

Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Server 2003 Important New Features:

Hi friends

This article gives you the best and short view about new features available with the Server 2003 family when compared with the prior Server 2000.

List Of New Features:

1. Improved forest/Domain functional level mode like domain, forest and interim forest modes.
2. ADMT V2(active directory migration tool) with inter forest password migration and scripting support.
3. Domain and Domain Controller renaming.
4. Cross forest transitive kerberos trust.
5. Enhanced smart card authentication.
6. Software restriction policies(trusted binaries allowed based on path,hash and digital signature).
7. IP V6 Support.
8. Flexible wireless authentication.
9. DNS – Stub zones and conditional forwarding.
10. IPSec (features like IPSec NAT traversal, IPSec support in netsh, IPSec RSOP, IPSecMON in MMC).
11. Enhanced NLB (NLBMGR and ISA Server load balancing).
12. Storage services – Volume shadow copy support.
13. IIS 6.0 (features like kernel mode http and IGMP V3).

Thanks
Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-9841499143

Telnet - SMTP, POP3, IMAP4 and Others.

Hi friends

This article explains the importance of telnet command while troubleshooting connectivity in term some port numbers open close status and also more options in email protocols. The telnet plays fine role in finding the port status while troubleshooting email issues and also other applications.

General Port Status finding:

Syntax :

telnet {IP address | FQDN} {Port number}

Suppose to find whether remote desktop is enables in remote computer, the syntax will be

telnet hostname 3389

If it shows a blank windows, the RDP is enabled and else cases it through errors.


TELNET SMTP:

telnet severname 25
Helo
Mail from : administrator@domain.com
Rcpt to : someclient@domain.com
Data
{type the message} .{enter twice}
quit

TELNET POP3:

telnet servername 110
User userid@domain.com
Pass {password}
Stat
List
Quit

TELNET IMAP4:

telnet servername 143
? login userid@domain.com {password}
? list “” “*”
? select {foldername} (foldername=inbox,outbox,sent items,etc)
? fetch {msg number} all (msg number=1,2,3,etc)
? fetch {msg number} body (msg number=1,2,3,etc)
? logout

Thanks
Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Exchange Information store

Hi friends,

This articles gives you the breif introduction about the exchange information store. The Exchange Information store is the core are where all the information are stored. The Information Store is made up of a number of components as follows.
1. Mailbox Store - storage space for user's mailbox.
2. Public Store - storage space for public folder contents or mails.

Please find the diagram for the detailed components of exchange information store.

No of Storage groups:

1. Exchange 2000 any SP and 2003 Std pre SP2 - 1 SG + 1 RSG.
2. Exchange 2003 Std with SP2 - 1 SG + 1 RSG.
3. Exchange 2000 and 2003 Ent with SP2 - 4 SG + 1 RSG.

No of Stores:

1. Exchange 2000 any SP and 2003 Std pre SP2 - 1 Mailbox Store and 1 Public folder per Storage group.
2. Exchange 2003 Std with SP2 - 1 Mailbox Store and 1 Public folder per Storage group.
3. Exchange 2000 and 2003 Ent with SP2 - 5 Mailbox Store and 5 Public folder per Storage group.

Mailbox Store Size Details:

1. Exchange 2000 any SP and 2003 Std pre SP2 - 16 GB per store.
2. Exchange 2003 Std with SP2 - 75 GB per store.
3. Exchange 2000 and 2003 Ent with SP2 - 16TB per store.

How store size is calculated:
The store size is the sum of both the Exchange Server database (.EDB) and the Exchange Server streaming (.STM) files.

1. Priv1.edb: A rich-text database file containing message headers, message text, and standard attachments.
2. Priv1.stm: A streaming internet content file containing audio, video and other media that are formatted as streams of Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) data.

Important Note:
The mailbox store does not mount when the mailbox store database reaches the 16 GB limit. The resolution for this can done by temporarily adding extra 1 GB additional space. This can be done by adding some changes in the registry. Please follow the link for the step by step procedure of temporarily increase the limit by 1 GB.

Please mail me if you any further questions.

Thanks
Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143

Types of Windows Backup:

Hi friends,

This article explains different types of backup available in windows (ntbackup.exe). The Backup utility supports five methods of backing up data on your computer or network. The analogy behind this different types of backups is the archive attribute.

Copy backup
A copy backup copies all selected files but does not mark each file as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is not cleared). Copying is useful if you want to back up files between normal and incremental backups because copying does not affect these other backup operations.

Daily backup
A daily backup copies all selected files that have been modified the day the daily backup is performed. The backed-up files are not marked as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is not cleared).

Differential backup
A differential backup copies files created or changed since the last normal or incremental backup. It does not mark files as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is not cleared). If you are performing a combination of normal and differential backups, restoring files and folders requires that you have the last normal as well as the last differential backup.

Incremental backup
An incremental backup backs up only those files created or changed since the last normal or incremental backup. It marks files as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is cleared). If you use a combination of normal and incremental backups, you will need to have the last normal backup set as well as all incremental backup sets in order to restore your data.

Normal backup
A normal backup copies all selected files and marks each file as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is cleared). With normal backups, you need only the most recent copy of the backup file or tape to restore all of the files. You usually perform a normal backup the first time you create a backup set.

Strategy : Normal + Incremental
Backing up your data using a combination of normal backups and incremental backups requires the least amount of storage space and is the quickest backup method. However, recovering files can be time-consuming and difficult because the backup set can be stored on several disks or tapes.

Strategy : Normal + Differential
Backing up your data using a combination of normal backups and differential backups is more time-consuming, especially if your data changes frequently, but it is easier to restore the data because the backup set is usually stored on only a few disks or tapes.

I guess now you people know what are this different backup does.

Thanks
Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-9841499143

Public Folders : Best Practise

Hi friends,

This articles gives basic idea about the public folder in the exchange server. Public folders can be called as forum, Notice board, Common use board or place where we can share our ideas.
Public folders are an easy and effective way to collect, organize, and share information with other people. Public folder is one of the important recipient in the exchange server environment.
Types of Public folders in exchange server 2003 :
1. Public folders
Mapi Clients – visible in Mapi client i.e. Outlook
General Purposes – other public folders tree that can viewed by other browsers.
2. System folders – hidden folders in the system manager console and used for internal exchange server functions like offline address book generation, free + busy information and many more.

Public folder Creation:
1. From Exchange System manager
2. Microsoft Outlook client
This can be denied by setting security limitation under administrative group properties ? select users/group ? change “Create public folder” and “Create top level public folder”.
If the Security tab is missing, you must patch the Registry. Start – Regedit and create the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Exchange\EXAdmin – REG_DWORD – ShowSecurityPage – Value 1.

Quick Start for creating the Public folder tree with Virtual Directory:

1. Create the Public folder tree.
2. Create associated public store for the recent Public folder tree.
3. Mount the store.
4. Create the virtual directory (Exchange protocol - HTTP) for the category of public folder (in particular choose the public folder tree you have created).
5. Refresh the settings.
6. Create the public folders under public folder tree.
7. Open your browser http://servername/virtual-directory- name.
8. Result will be your newly created public folder tree.

Component of Public folders:
1. Public folder tree
2. public folder store
3. Public folder referrals (When a user connects to a public folder store that does not contain a copy of the content the user is looking for, the user is redirected to another store that has a copy of the content. This is called public folder affinity in Exchange 5.5.)
4. Public folder tree virtual directory
5. PFCA(public folder connection agreement) role in ADC
6. PFMIGRATE (PFMIGRATE.WSF) tool
7. Inter-Organization Replication tool (Exscfg.exe and Exssrv.exe).

Migration of Public folders:

Case I: Migrating public folders from the exchange 5.5 to exchange 2000 and above

Solution: PFCA (public folder connection agreement) role in ADC

Case II: Migrating public folders from one exchange server to other exchange server.

Solution: pfmigrate tool
Available in: Exchange CD with SP1\Support\EXDEPLOY
Syntax:
To move System Folders
PFMIGRATE.WSF /S:SourceServer /T:DestinationServer /SF /A /N:100 /F:C:\LOGFILE.LOG
To move Public Folders
PFMIGRATE.WSF /S:SourceServer /T:DestinationServer /A /N:100 /F:C:\LOGFILE.LOG
To remove Public Folders after succesful Replication
PFMIGRATE.WSF /S:SourceServer /T:DestinationServer /D

I guess this article gives you the initial gear to start exploring in public folders.

Thanks
Logu
logu_microsoft@hotmail.com
91-98414-99143