JosephGreenwald
asked on
Took out one Exchange 2003 server, now Schedule+ Free Busy Data not available
Okay, let me start off by saying, I have taken this site over from another tech so I don't know all the detailed steps as to what happened.
Basically I work for a consultant who replaced a law firms Exchange 5.5 Server with an Exchange 2003 Server (conveniently named "Exchange"). Turns out the server had some hardware issues when there was a load on it. So he setup another server ("Bserver") (evidently both servers were running at some period of time for replication because the faulty one ran fine without a load on it) to replace it. So when finished, he took down the "Exchange" server (faulty one) and then email stopped working (the outoing mail stayed in the queues until the other server was brought back online). So he left it like that for awhile. Now another tech (still not me) figured out how to point all the roles to the "Bserver" (the one that replaced the faulty one) so he took the "Exchange" server offline. Now no issues, except for the fact that users can't view "Free/Busy" data in Scheduling. From what I gather, this folder was still on the other server that has been taken out based on the fact that the System Manager is telling me "data not available". Now this other server has already been reformatted and redeployed elsewhere. How can I recreate the Schedule+ Free Busy information folder?
Thanks.
Basically I work for a consultant who replaced a law firms Exchange 5.5 Server with an Exchange 2003 Server (conveniently named "Exchange"). Turns out the server had some hardware issues when there was a load on it. So he setup another server ("Bserver") (evidently both servers were running at some period of time for replication because the faulty one ran fine without a load on it) to replace it. So when finished, he took down the "Exchange" server (faulty one) and then email stopped working (the outoing mail stayed in the queues until the other server was brought back online). So he left it like that for awhile. Now another tech (still not me) figured out how to point all the roles to the "Bserver" (the one that replaced the faulty one) so he took the "Exchange" server offline. Now no issues, except for the fact that users can't view "Free/Busy" data in Scheduling. From what I gather, this folder was still on the other server that has been taken out based on the fact that the System Manager is telling me "data not available". Now this other server has already been reformatted and redeployed elsewhere. How can I recreate the Schedule+ Free Busy information folder?
Thanks.
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When the first Exchange 2003 server was removed, a procedure should have been followed.
It sounds like it hasn't.
Go through this article and complete as much as you can.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=822931
Simon.
It sounds like it hasn't.
Go through this article and complete as much as you can.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=822931
Simon.
Simon's telling you the important stuff.
You may see one set of errors that indicate one problem -- but simon his provided a link a comprehensive set of fixups for you.
That document should explain to you what the situation is.
I really, really, really recommend you spend some time with Sembee's linked document.
C'mon back and ask a question or two, right?
Fixing "removed servers" is challenging; it does take more than that doc. Firewall details, DNS, etc.. can be involved.
Best,
Scott.
You may see one set of errors that indicate one problem -- but simon his provided a link a comprehensive set of fixups for you.
That document should explain to you what the situation is.
I really, really, really recommend you spend some time with Sembee's linked document.
C'mon back and ask a question or two, right?
Fixing "removed servers" is challenging; it does take more than that doc. Firewall details, DNS, etc.. can be involved.
Best,
Scott.
Simon, wouldn't he need to do the following to recreate the folder?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822444/
Kris.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822444/
Kris.
ASKER
Thanks Jss1199, I think the first post may have been the solution. It appears to be replicating, although it appears that it may take quite some time as it is moving slowly. I will continue to monitor it and let you know. Thank you very much.
ASKER
Thanks Sembee, I believe you are correct; most, if not all of the steps outline in that article were not completed by the first tech, however, I believe the second tech did complete all of them, with the exception of the Schedule+, Free/Busy folder. The server was taken out approximately 3 weeks ago and this appears to be the only issue so far. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Kris... that article would only apply I believe if the folders had gone completely. In many cases you can rescue them by adjusting the replicas. That makes the folder "appear" on the server.
Simon.
Simon.
Glad to hear it now replicating. Let me know if you experience any other problems in relation to this question...
jss
jss
ASKER
Well, I let it go for about 22 hours or so and it doesn't appear to be working. In the System Manager, under "Public Folder Store (BSERVER)" and then "Replication Status" it still says "data not available." Under "Folders", "Public Folders", then I click on "View System Folders" the date still shows that it was created on 10/05/2005, but accessed today. It also shows the folder as only being 36kb with 51 items.
I think that first solution would've worked, had the original Exchange server been available, but since the data is gone, it obviously can't replicate it.
I guess I need to recreate the system folder as kristinaw suggested. From what the referenced article indicates, I may lose some data as all system folders must be recreated. I'd obviously rather not do this, any other suggestions?
I think that first solution would've worked, had the original Exchange server been available, but since the data is gone, it obviously can't replicate it.
I guess I need to recreate the system folder as kristinaw suggested. From what the referenced article indicates, I may lose some data as all system folders must be recreated. I'd obviously rather not do this, any other suggestions?
Have you tried my second post to only recreate the Free/Busy folder?
ASKER
I started looking at that, but you said "This creates a replica of these folders on the Bserver." and I assumed that since the other server was gone, there was no data to replicate.
I just attempted it and I don't know what you mean by "Exchange Server Administrator program." I looked under the System Manager and wasn't able to follow the steps you outlined. Are you talking about the System Manager or something else?
Thanks for your help.
I just attempted it and I don't know what you mean by "Exchange Server Administrator program." I looked under the System Manager and wasn't able to follow the steps you outlined. Are you talking about the System Manager or something else?
Thanks for your help.
ASKER
Thank you very much jss1199. Your first solution worked great, although I'm not sure how. I would think that since the data was no longer available, then it couldn't "replicate" it onto the Bserver, but I stand corrected. It worked the first time, however, when I looked at it, it was only like 36kb and 58 items, so I figured that was only new stuff and not anything that was already there (e.g. new stuff after I told it to replicate). But low and behold, all of it is there now.
Thanks to everyone for their help.
Thanks to everyone for their help.
ASKER
And it is still very small (34kb and 58 items). But we checked another client's server and theirs was very small too, so I guess you can't go by the size and item numbers being reported.
With Free/Busy, each client automatically sends an update to the Exchange server. This update REPLACES what is there.
I am trying to perform this step for a problem that I am having on my Exchange 2003 server. Is the "Echange Server Administrator program" a third party tool?
"I may have misunderstood your question. If you want to create a new Free/Busy folder on BServer, perform the following:
1. Using the Exchange Server Administrator program, click the Configuration container, click the Servers container, and then click the server you chose in step 1.
2. Click the Public Information Store object, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Instances tab.
4. In the Public Folders list, click to select Schedule+ Free Busy Information and Organization Forms, and then click Add. This creates a replica of these folders on the Bserver.
5. Click OK."
"I may have misunderstood your question. If you want to create a new Free/Busy folder on BServer, perform the following:
1. Using the Exchange Server Administrator program, click the Configuration container, click the Servers container, and then click the server you chose in step 1.
2. Click the Public Information Store object, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Instances tab.
4. In the Public Folders list, click to select Schedule+ Free Busy Information and Organization Forms, and then click Add. This creates a replica of these folders on the Bserver.
5. Click OK."
1. Using the Exchange Server Administrator program, click the Configuration container, click the Servers container, and then click the server you chose in step 1.
2. Click the Public Information Store object, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Instances tab.
4. In the Public Folders list, click to select Schedule+ Free Busy Information and Organization Forms, and then click Add. This creates a replica of these folders on the Bserver.
5. Click OK.