asked on

Cannot open a mailbox store using ESM to different server.

Hello,

I have setup three Exchange 2003 Servers with SP2 none of the three can open the others' mailbox stores. I tried installing on the ESM on different server and opening the mailbox store but I get the following error:

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Exchange System Manager
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The action could not be completed because the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service is unavailable. Be sure the service is running and you have network connectivity to the Microsoft Exchange Server computer.

Operation: Retrieving mount information.

ID no: c1041721

Exchange System Manager

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OK
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There is full network connectivty between all severs. Running ESM it from the server and opening its own mailbox store works fine.

Thanks

Mark

ksharma4

-MSEXCHANGEIS Services should be running - Try running it , If not and check the error message if any.
-Also check the event viewer - Applogs

Thanks
Kunal

aa230002

Are all these 3 servers in the same Administrative Groups or different administrative groups?
Any front-end / Back-end scenario?
Any fire-wall between these servers?
Are you facing any other issue also like mail flow issues between servers? or PF replication between PF stores on these 3 servers?
How many DCs and GCs you have? make sure that AD replication is working fine.
Do one thing, Open blank MMC console
Run - mmc.exe --> console - Add/remove snap-in. --> Add -> exchange system -> select a different DC/GC to open Exchange System Manager.
This will help you identifying if its a DC/GC issue or Exchange issue.
Exchange System Manager actually contacts a DC (Configuration container) for this information.

Thanks,
Amit Aggarwal.

rakeshmiglani

Are these Exchange servers in the Same domain?
Are these Exchange servers in the same Administrative group?
Are you using the same account to access ESM on other server?

MarkWThorne

ASKER

Yes servers in same doamin,
Different AGs
Yes the same account

MarkWThorne

ASKER

Different AGs
No FE/BE
No FW
One DC/GC (new lab environment)

aa230002

Means you have just 1 DC/GC + 3 Exchange servers in 3 different AGs.
Any Error in Application log when you try to expand mailbox store from other server?

Thanks,
Amit Aggarwal.

rakeshmiglani

Has any account delegation been done on the AG properties for this account..

if now then try to delegate the account on each AG with Full permissions and then check

MarkWThorne

ASKER

No errors in the App Log.
Account used was the same accopount that installed (Full Admin)
Tried delegating ..same problem

aa230002

Again make sure that all Exchange Services are up and running on all Exchange servers.
or Try restarting the MSExchange System Attendant service once on all Exchange servers and make sure that every service comes up without fail.

Thanks,
Amit Aggarwal.

MarkWThorne

ASKER

Services are running, I can access the Mailbox store on from the server but not other servers. Same would be for the other servers. Can access the local maibox store but not the others.

Rebooted the servers.

aa230002

Only option, install Network monitor on the server, Start the trace, and then try to expand the mailbox store. as soon as you get the error, stop the trace and then you need to check the network trace file to see, whats happening? where its going and where its failing?
I hope you have 4 physical boxes (DC + 3 Exch servers) not the virtual PC or VM Ware.

Thanks,
Amit Aggarwal.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

ksharma4

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rakeshmiglani

I hope the default exchange ports have not been changed on the exchange servers

aa230002

You have 3 AGs, how many Routing Groups you have? if more than 1 , how are they connected?
If you have Routing Group Connector configured, are you able to send mail from a user on server1 to another user on server 2.

Thanks,
Amit Aggarwal.

MarkWThorne

ASKER

Three AGs. Single RG. Mail flow works fine.

aa230002

Is everything default? did you make any changes after installation?

Thanks,
Amit Aggarwal.

MarkWThorne

ASKER

Default installation.

Only realized the probrem when trying to access a Mabilbox Store on another server.

aa230002

Try this ->
Install ExBPA (Exchange Best Practices Analyzer - available for download from MS site)
and then run the complete health check - lets see, if this gives some information.

Thanks,
Amit Aggarwal.

MarkWThorne

ASKER

ExBPA found no errors

rakeshmiglani

could not think of anything else..

try checking this last option from my side

In DNS management tool, on the WINS tab, unchecked "Use
WINS forward lokup."

MarkWThorne

ASKER

Thanks. I found the problem. It seems the like a setting used by HISECDC policy was blocking some LPAD query.

I still have to find out which one.