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Exchange 2016 setup fails when trying to install EdgeTransport role

Hello,

I have a domain with exchange server 2010. I am trying to install Exchange 2016 on another domain member (not controller)
in the forest. Exchange server setup 2016 failes on installing EdgeTransport role. I have tried a fresh install on windows server 2016 twice, following this guide just to make sure
https://www.itprotoday.com/email-and-calendaring/how-install-microsoft-exchange-server-2016-windows-server-2016-powershell

every time installation fails giving that error (log file attached as well) :

The following error was generated when "$error.Clear();
new-ExchangeServer

" was run: "System.ArgumentNullException: Value cannot be null.
Parameter name: Cannot get child of ADObjectId: this is a GUID
based ADObjectId.
at Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.ADObjectId.GetChildId(String prefix, String unescapedCommonName)
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.ADDataSession.GetHostedOrganizationsRoot(String callerFilePath, Int32 callerFileLine, String memberName)
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.ADDataSession.IsConfigScoped(ADScope scope)
at Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.ADDataSession.GetConnection(String preferredServer, Boolean isWriteOperation, String
optionalBaseDN, ADObjectId& rootId, ADScope scope)
at Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.ADDataSession.InternalFind[TResult](ADObjectId rootId, String optionalBaseDN, ADObjectId readId, QueryScope scope,
QueryFilter filter, SortBy sortBy, Int32 maxResults, IEnumerable`1 properties, Boolean includeDeletedObjects)
at Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.ADDataSession.Find[TResult](ADObjectId rootId,
QueryScope scope, QueryFilter filter, SortBy sortBy, Int32 maxResults, IEnumerable`1 properties, Boolean includeDeletedObjects)
at Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.ADDataSession.Find[TResult](ADObjectId
rootId, QueryScope scope, QueryFilter filter, SortBy sortBy, Int32 maxResults, String callerFilePath, Int32 callerFileLine, String memberName)
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.SystemConfiguration.ADTopologyConfigurationSession.GetAdministrativeGroup(String callerFilePath, Int32 callerFileLine, String m
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.SystemConfiguration.ADTopologyConfigurationSession.GetAdministrativeGroupId(String callerFilePath, Int32 callerFileLine, String
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Management.SystemConfigurationTasks.NewExchangeServer.PrepareDataObject()
at Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.SetTaskBase`1.InternalValidate()
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.<ProcessRecord>b__91_1()
at Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.InvokeRetryableFunc(String funcName, Action func, Boolean terminatePipelineIfFailed)

at Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.ProcessTaskStage(TaskStage taskStage, Action initFunc, Action mainFunc, Action completeFunc)
at Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.ProcessRecord()

at System.Management.Automation.CommandProcessor.ProcessRecord()".

The Exchange Server setup operation didn't complete. More details can be found in ExchangeSetup.log located in the <SystemDrive>:\ExchangeSetupLogs folder.
PS E:\>

does anyone have a clue where to check? event viewer doesn't give a hint but an error related to ADWS which I am no sure is related -
"This computer is now hosting the specified directory instance, but Active Directory Web Services could not service it. Active Directory Web Services will retry this operation periodically.

Directory instance: NTDS
Directory instance LDAP port: 389
Directory instance SSL port: 636

This is a domain memeber, it does not have Active directory installed - only AD LDS.

appreciate any help... I have tried everything..

Gilad

Rajkumar Duraisamy

Hope you are trying to install Edge Transport Role.. for that no need to make that server as domain member.. it can be standalone..

Reinstall the OS and give a different computer name for that server.. do no join in domain.. and then follow this article

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/plan-and-deploy/deploy-new-installations/install-edge-transport-role?view=exchserver-2019

Another step by step reference..

https://msexperttalk.com/install-exchange-2016-edge-transport-server/

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Saif Shaikh

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Giladn

ASKER

Thank you Saif!

1. The server has been disjointed from the domain

2. AD LDS is installed

3. Dns suffix is configured now by cli too (It was cnonfigured via tcp properties before)
I ran the command "Set-ItemProperty -Path HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters -Name 'NV Domain' -Value <Value>"

4. network is ok, I can telnet to that port

5. .Net 4.6 is installed, not 4.6.1 , it is grayed out and cannot be uninstalled

6. Firewall is enabled on all profiles

7. Installed all OS updates

after checking and completing the steps above I ran the installation again and it crashed on 95%, ECP didn't open (iis gave blank page) and I have noticed all of exchange virtual directories are missing in IIS.

I then uninstalled exchange 2016 completely, removed Ad LDS and IIS, rebooted the server, installed AD LDS and IIS again
and ran the exchange 2016 installation again, this time setup has COMPLETED successfully, however I cannot browse to ECP virtual directory, and I see virtual directories are all missing from IIS...
this is a progress, but I don't understand, I have reinstalled IIS rebooted and reinstalled exchange , any advice?

Gilad

Rajkumar Duraisamy

Please do not make any changes.. Your exchange installation completed. You are good to configure send connector.. certificates etc..

Note:

Edge Role not having ECP and won't configure anything in IIS like mailbox server..

You can manage edge only via Exchange Management Shell

Giladn

ASKER

Thank you Rajkumar,

no further changes are made..
I see all is completed successfully, however I am using 365 for mailboxes on hybrid - I dont have a mailbox server, so If I understand correct - so I can only use EMS to manage remote mailboxes?

Rajkumar Duraisamy

Hi Giladn,

You have mentioned you are using office 365 on a Hybrid environment.. how come you are not having any mailbox servers?

why you installed this Edge server ? can u pls run the below 2 commands on your server and share the screen capture.. pls

Get-ExchangeServer | fl *role*

Test-ServiceHealth

To manage office 365 mailbox, you can use Exchange Online Powershell.. but not this Edge Server management shell..

Giladn

ASKER

Hi Rajkumar,

I prefer the Database (mailboxes) to be stored online and not on premise as it is easier to manage, maintain and backup and saves computing resources. I have around 300 mailboxes and I when we migrated it was best practice for a hybrid deployment by MS..

I am starting to wonder is it really necessary to have an on premise exchange server (Edge) I just like the ease of managing it via EMC.
usually what I do is opening remote mailboxes and configuring existing users.
it IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION , DO I NEED AN ON PREMISE EXCHANGE SERVER?
what do you think? is there a real advantage of keeping it on premise without a mailbox rule when there's no EAC/EMC ?

commands output is :
[PS] C:\ExchangeSetupLogs>Get-ExchangeServer | fl *role*

ExchangeLegacyServerRole : 0
ServerRole : Edge

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS] C:\ExchangeSetupLogs>Test-ServiceHealth

Role : Edge Transport Role
RequiredServicesRunning : True
ServicesRunning : {ADAM_MSExchange, MSExchangeEdgeCredential, MSExchangeServiceHost, MSExchangeTransport, MSExchangeTransportLogSearch}
ServicesNotRunning : {}

Kind regards,

Gilad