Tag: Exchange

Cumulative Update 12 for Exchange Server 2013

Exchange team released CU12 for Exchange 2013

Issues that this cumulative update fixes:

KB 3143710 “Failed Search or Export” error occurs when an eDiscovery search in the Exchange Admin Center finishes

Rollup 13 for Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3

This update rollup includes the following changes: 

  • A new Office 365 Hybrid Configuration wizard (HCW) is used in Exchange Server 2010 that was bundled in the Exchange Management Console (EMC). This change makes sure that EMC always runs the latest version of the HCW that contains up-to-date experience when the HCW is initiated from the EMC.
  • An updated Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) Control for Outlook Web Access. The control is signed to use aSHA-2 compliant code signing certificate. After you install this update, an updated version of the control on the Exchange server will be replaced. Users who have installed the earlier version of the control into a computer’s browser must log on to Outlook Web Access and download the updated control after the Exchange server updates are completed.
  • Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3 Update Rollup 13 (KB3141339) Download

Important notice about certificate expiration for Exchange 2013 Hybrid customers

If you’re running Exchange 2013 and you’ve configured a hybrid deployment with Office 365, this post contains important information that might impact you. Please evaluate this information and take any necessary action before April 15, 2016.

On April 15 2016, the Office 365 TLS certificate will be renewed. This certificate is used by Office 365 to provide TLS encryption between Office 365 and external SMTP servers. The new certificate, which will help improve the security of mail sent to and from Office 365, will be issued by a new Certificate Authority and it will have a new Issuer and Subject.

This change has the potential to stop hybrid mailflow between Office 365 and your on-premises Exchange servers if one of the following conditions applies to you:

  • Your on-premises Exchange servers are running Exchange 2013 Cumulative Update 8 (CU8) or lower.
  • You’ve upgraded the Exchange 2013 servers that handle hybrid mailflow to Exchange 2013 CU9 or higher. However, since upgrading to CU9, you HAVE NOTre-run the Hybrid Configuration wizard (either from the Exchange Admin Center or via the direct download link).

If one of the previous conditions applies to your organization, hybrid mailflow between Office 365 and your organization will stop working after April 15, 2016unless you complete the steps below.

Note: This only affects hybrid mailflow. Regular mailflow and TLS encryption is NOT affected.

How to keep hybrid mail flowing (MUST be completed before 4/15/2016)
Let the new Hybrid Configuration wizard do it for you

You can use the latest Hybrid Configuration wizard (HCW) to configure your Exchange 2013 servers to work with the new TLS certificate. Just follow these steps:

  1. If the Exchange 2013 servers handling hybrid mailflow are running Exchange 2013 CU8 or lower, follow the instructions in Updates for Exchange 2013 to install the latest cumulative update on at least one server.
  2. After you install the latest cumulative update, download the new HCW application and run the wizard following the instructions here .

Note: For information on which releases of Exchange are supported with Office 365, see Hybrid deployment prerequisites.

Manual update

If you can’t upgrade Exchange 2013 to latest cumulative update right now (although we would like to remind you of our support policy), you can manually configure your servers to work with the new TLS certificate. On each Exchange 2013 server that’s used for hybrid mailflow, open the Exchange Management Shell, and run the following commands:

$rc=Get-ReceiveConnector |where {$_.TlsDomainCapabilities -like “*<I>*”}

Set-ReceiveConnector -Identity $rc.Identity -TlsDomainCapabilities “mail.protection.outlook.com:AcceptCloudServicesMail

http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2016/02/19/important-notice-about-certificate-expiration-for-exchange-2013-hybrid-customers.aspx

Microsoft Exchange Server User Monitor For Exchange 2013 and 2016

        Use the Microsoft Exchange Server User Monitor to gather real-time data to better understand current client usage patterns, and to plan for future work.
        Administrators can view details on server resource utilization as reported through server-side tracing. This tool works with Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 and 2016.
        The tool is provided as-is. At this time, there are no updates or patches planned for future release. No formal support is provided for the tool. Some minimal support may be provided by Microsoft but not all reported issues will be able to be addressed or resolved.

        Exchange Server User Monitor

      On .NET Framework 4.6.1 and Exchange Skype4B Lync compatibility

      We wanted to post a quick note to call out that since yesterday, the .NET Framework 4.6.1 has been made a recommended update on WU (Windows Update).

      As we have already stated in the Exchange Supportability Matrix, at this time, this version of .NET framework is not supported by Exchange. In fact, we know of some issues if it is installed.

      We are working with the .NET team to ensure that Exchange customers have a smooth transition to .NET Framework 4.6.1, but in the meantime, delay this particular .NET update on your Exchange servers (information on how this can be accomplished can be found in the KB article 3133990, How to temporarily block the installation of the .NET Framework 4.6.1).

      http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2016/02/10/on-net-framework-4-6-1-and-exchange-compatibility.aspx.

      As a result of this recommendation from the Exchange team, the Skype for Business team is recommending the same course of action for Lync/Skype for Business servers.

      Please follow the guidance located here to block the installation: 3133990, How to temporarily block the installation of the .NET Framework 4.6.1).

      Exchange Analyzer is a great tool for every Exchange Admin

      Exchange Analyzer is a PowerShell tool that scans an Exchange Server 2013 or 2016 organization and reports on compliance with best practices.

      Exchange Analyzer is a community project, and is currently a beta release seeking feedback and results from real world environments.

      To read the latest information about Exchange Analyzer click here to visit the project’s ReadMe on Github. More information can also be found in the Exchange Analyzer Wiki.

      Installation Instructions

      1. Download the latest Zip file

      2. Extract or copy the following files and folders to a computer that has the Exchange 2013 or 2016 management shell installed. For example, place all of the files and folders in a C:\Scripts\ExchangeAnalyzer folder.

        • Run-ExchangeAnalyzer.ps1
        • \Data
        • \Modules
        • \Tests

        3. Copy the folders in the \Modules folder to C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Modules\

        4. Open a new Exchange Management Shell

        Important Note: if you are updating your copy of Exchange Analyzer please make sure you copy the updated module in step 3.

        Running Exchange Analyzer

        To run the Exchange Analyzer open an Exchange management shell, navigate to the folder with the script files (e.g. C:\Scripts\ExchangeAnalyzer) and run:

        Interpreting Results

        Exchange Analyzer produces a HTML report with a simple “Passed/Failed” indicator and a list of passed and/or failed objects. Links to more info are provided to assist you with further interpretation of the report.

        Feedback and Questions

        Before submitting feedback or questions please review the Exchange Analyzer FAQ.

        You can help with bug fixes by submitting issues on Github. If you would like to contribute fixes or other code please review theExchange Analyzer Wiki.

        You can also send email to feedback@exchangeanalyzer.com.

        Change Log

        14/01/2016 – v0.1.0-Beta.1

        • First public beta release

        28/01/2016 – v0.1.1-Beta.2

        • Second beta release. Details of changes are here.

        image

        Beta Exam 345: Designing and Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 NOW AVAILABLE

        Are you an expert in designing and managing Exchange Server? Are you responsible for the Exchange Server 2016 messaging environment in an enterprise environment? If so, here’s your chance to start down the path to the MCSE certification for free AND help us improve the quality of this exam!

        We are opening up 350 beta seats for this beta exam (exam number: 70-345)… This means you can take the exam for free!! BUT… the seats are limited to first come, first served basis–so, register today (these codes will only work through February 12, 2016, meaning you have to register AND take the exam on or before that date)–and we need you take the exam as soon as possible so we can leverage your comments, feedback, and exam data in our evaluation of the quality of the questions. The sooner you take the exam, the more likely it is that we will be able to use your feedback to make improvements to the exam. This is your chance to have a voice in the questions we include on the exam when it goes live. 

        To prepare for the exam, review our prep guide and practice the skills listed: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-70-345.aspx. To prepare for this beta exam, check out my recent blog for ideas: https://borntolearn.mslearn.net/b/weblog/archive/2015/12/31/just-how-does-one-prepare-for-beta-exams-without-preparation-materials.

        ***Register for the exam at the same site and use code EXCH2016010B to take it for free, but these codes are only valid for exam dates on or before Feb. 12, 2016. Remember: There are a limited amount of spots, so when they’re gone, they’re gone. You should also be aware that there are some country limitations where the beta code will not work (e.g., Turkey, Pakistan, India, China, Vietnam); you will not be able to take the beta exam for free in those countries.

        Also, keep in mind that this exam is in beta, which means that you will not be scored immediately. You will receive your final score and passing status once the exam is live.

        Well…what are you waiting for? Register before all the seats are gone!

        https://borntolearn.mslearn.net/b/weblog/archive/2016/01/13/designing-and-deploying-microsoft-exchange-server-2016-beta-exam-now-available

        MS16-010: Security update in Microsoft Exchange Server to address spoofing: January 12, 2016

        This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server that could allow information disclosure if Outlook Web Access (OWA) doesn’t handle web requests, sanitize user input and email content correctly.

        To learn more about the vulnerability, see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-010.

        Download:
        Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Service Pack 1 (3124557)

        Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 10 (3124557)

        Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 11 (3124557)

        Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 (3124557)

        Skype for Business 2015 Planning Tool

        The Skype for Business Team released Skype for Business 2015 Planning Tool. This tool asks you a series of questions about your organization and the features that you are interested in. The planning tool will then use your answers to recommend a topology based on the tested Skype for Business 2015 user model.
        Your organization may have a different user model. If so, you should adjust the recommended topology as necessary to fit your organization’s needs.
        What’s in the Planning Tool for Skype for Business 2015?

        • The Planning Tool now allow user to have up to 10 sites, including central site and disaster recovery site
        • The Planning Tool offers capacity guidance for Skype for Business Server 2015 new and updated features listed below.
        • You can answer the questions about these features in the Planning Tool, and then the suggested topology will contain information for those features, e.g hardware, network, DNS, certificate, IP, etc, according to the Skype for Business 2015 user model.
          • Persistent Chat
          • Archiving with Exchange integration
          • Mobility
          • Multi-view Video
          • SQL AlwaysOn
          • High Availability and Disaster Recovery
          • Office Web Apps
          • Exchange Mailbox
        • Skype for Business Server Planning Tool 2015 allows you to specify IPv6 IP addresses
        • Planning Tool identifies the IP conflicts across sites in the suggest topology. You can then choose to show or hide IP conflict in the topology
        • Planning Tool offers more user-friendly FQDN/IP/Port editing dialog
        • Planning Tool updates the suggested hardware requirements, DNS, and certificates with Skype for Business Server 2015 changes
        • Planning Tool updates the planning steps and deployment steps with Skype for Business Server 2015 changes
        • Planning Tool offers better support for accessibility requirements
        • Skype for Business Server Planning Tool 2015 offers improved export of Visio and Excel files. An exported Visio file matches the suggested topology diagram in the Planning Tool as well
        • Planning Tool no longer supports the following features:
          • Virtualized server design
          • Export the Planning Tool file to Topology Builder

        Get it: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50357

        Source

        Cumulative Update 11 for Exchange Server 2013

        Cumulative Update 11 for Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 was released on December 15, 2015. Several nonsecurity issues are fixed in this cumulative update or a later cumulative update for Exchange Server 2013.

        This cumulative update fixes the issues that are described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:

        This update also includes new daylight saving time (DST) updates for Exchange Server 2013. For more information about DST, go to Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center.

         

        Download Cumulative Update 11 for Exchange Server 2013 (KB3099522) now.

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