Exchange 2010 SP1 /Hosting -MultiTenant CMDLET Parameter

The –MultiTenant parameter is only available for a few cmdlets in a multi-tenant deployment of Exchange Server 2010 SP1. Using –MultiTenant specifies the search or operation should be performed across the entire forest and not just the organization currently scoped.

I have found this parameter useful in combination with the Get-MoveRequest and Get-MailboxRestoreRequest cmdlets.

If I want to decommission a database I have to move all the mailboxes using New-MoveRequest. Below using Get-Mailbox with -Database I am able to retrieve all mailboxes hosted on the database across the entire forest, that is apart from arbitration mailboxes.

Get-Mailbox -Database DAG1DB1 | New-MoveRequest –Target Database DAG1DB2

To view the progress you normally run Get-MoveRequest or Get-Mailbox –Organization “Org_Name” but this will only show results scoped to the administrators or specified organization.

Using Get-MoveRequest –MultiTenant will show results for all move requests across the entire forest. This can be piped in to other cmdlets, for example to check when the moves are complete and remove them.

Get-MoveRequest –MultiTenant

Get-MoveRequest –MultiTenant | Remove-MoveRequest

This is much simpler than running Get-Mailbox –Organization 100s or even1000s of times.

Daniel Noakes

Upgrading Windows Server 2008 R2 Editions with DISM.exe

You can use DISM.exe to upgrade the Windows Server 2008 R2 Edition you have installed from the command line. Before going any further, don’t think about doing this on DC or Exchange Server without first removing these roles.

Why would you need this? I’m working with a Virtual Data Centre provider who provide a Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Edition template, but I need Windows Failover Clustering support for Exchange Server 2010 Database Availability Groups.

I could use the install media, but using DISM.exe is much simpler. You may run in to trouble if a single licence key covers both Standard and Enterprise, in that case head over to http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793406.aspx and use a KMS client setup key to perform the upgrade.

Run the following from the command prompt, followed by a restart as directed.

DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerEnterprise /ProductKey:ABC12-ABC12-ABC12-ABC12-ABC12

If KMS client setup key was used remember to change to the key.

Daniel Noakes

Set-ExchangeAssistanceConfig

Use the Set-ExchangeAssistanceConfig cmdlet to modify Microsoft Exchange Help configurations for your organization. Out-of-the-box OWA and ECP users will be redirected to help.outlook.com, which contains Office 365 and Live@edu specific settings which can be misleading.

To make changes read more at, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd298070.aspx.

Daniel Noakes

Lync 2010 “Appear Offline” Status

Lync 2010 users may wish to set the “Appear Offline” status, which unlike OCS 2007, is not enabled out of the box.

Open Lync Server Management Shell and run:

Get-CSClientPolicy | Set-CSClientPolicy -EnableAppearOffline:$true

On the next login the change will be visible in the client.

Daniel Noakes

Lync Server 2010: Enable Members of Protected Domain Security Groups

It goes without saying we all setup our environments with separate user and administrative accounts, but lets just say we wanted to enabled a member of a protected domain security group.

Using the Lync 2010 Server Control Panel you will receive the following error:

Active Directory operation failed on "dc01.exchangegeek.com". You cannot retry this operation: "Insufficient access rights to perform the operation"

We simply have to use PowerShell, which we are all using anyway, to administer members of protected domain security groups.

Enable-CsUser -Identity "daniel.noakes" -RegistrarPool "se01.exchangegeek.com" -SipAddressType EmailAddress  -SipDomain exchangegeek.com

Daniel Noakes

Microsoft UC OIP (Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program)

I’m finding new Lync UC resources all the time and today came across the Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program (via Brett Johnson) detailing infrastructure and services qualified for Lync Server 2010.

It’s nice to have a one stop shop to check out qualified Direct SIP, IP-PBX, SBA and SIP Trunk providers. Check it out here, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/lync/gg131938.aspx.

Daniel Noakes

Interactive Whiteboard & UC: eBeam + Lync

In the search for interactive whiteboard solutions I have rediscovered eBeam, having used the eBeam Classic Projection products previously.

The eBeam Edge Projection is a USB/Bluetooth receiver device attached to a flat surface (wall, table, whiteboard) which tracks a stylus within a captured area (123in/312cm diagonal).

The device connects to a computer, which in turn uses a projector to display on to the area being captured.

Image from: http://www.e-beam.com/products/ebeam-edge-projection.html

In the box you get the receiver, stylus + battery, 2 mounting plates, eBeam Workplace software and a USB cable. The mounting plates are metal and can be easily fixed to a wall, the receiver is magnetic so can be attached quickly to a mounting plate or whiteboard.

Image from: http://www.e-beam.com/products/ebeam-edge-projection.html

The device comes with it own software, but I think it really lends itself to use with Lync Server Whiteboard Collaboration, or virtual whiteboard as I have also seen it referred to as.

The real headline for me is the cost coming in below £520 ($899) for USB version + the cost of a projector (preferable an ultra short throw). You could half the cost of interactive whiteboard solutions in the office and have the benefit of being able to carry it in your laptop bag or projector case.

I surprised to find no mention to Lync Server on the eBeam website, despite the obvious advantages for all. I would hope in the coming months this changes and maybe the products become Lync certified.

Once we are up an running in our new office I plan to post pictures, videos and couple of articles of this in action.