Exchange server experts

SmartKit

SmartKit

SmartKit Rep
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
8,218
Reaction score
856
Location
The Reef
I have been asked by the Managing Partner at a firm to ask around for some assistance regarding the setup of their Microsoft Exchange server.

Recently they moved to a newer physical server and the company doing the moved made some sort of error and the email and calendar was down for three days, as an international organisation this is unacceptable. These guys apparently gave the run around and every story they told seemed to be slightly different to the last.

Unfortunately this isn't my area of expertise and I'd like to know who I can contact to come in and check the server setup, make sure it is stable going forward and, if possible, diagnose what happened. Being an essential service they are quite willing to pay whatever costs are involved in this exercise, however they don't trust the company currently maintaining their servers and would like an outside opinion as well as any recommendations.

Does anyone know who I can contract to request such a service?

Thanks!
 
Sounds like they did not follow the correct installation procedures with the Exchange server. There is a set of procedures you have to follow, if you don't, then you screw up the installation. (I have done a clean install of Exchange 2003 a while ago, it is complicated but straightforward, the software (and installer) details all the steps you need to take, and warn you if there's something wrong).

Is this server also your PDC (primary domain controller)? If so, then I would strongly suggest that a reliable expert also check out the PDC installation and settings as I wouldn't trust that either...
 
The_Librarian said:
Sounds like they did not follow the correct installation procedures with the Exchange server. There is a set of procedures you have to follow, if you don't, then you screw up the installation. (I have done a clean install of Exchange 2003 a while ago, it is complicated but straightforward, the software (and installer) details all the steps you need to take, and warn you if there's something wrong).

Is this server also your PDC (primary domain controller)? If so, then I would strongly suggest that a reliable expert also check out the PDC installation and settings as I wouldn't trust that either...
Click to expand...

I'd have to check, but I assume it's part of the domain controller, as well. Something to consider.

Thanks!
 
Migration issues = various reasons. One such scenario may be with the connectors not switched or faulty. Also, were all Exchange users affected and were the source (old) server still active? Did they upgrade to a newer Exchange version, which could influence Outlook clients, again various reasons. Anyway the service provider messed up, should’ve had a proper timeline structure as how and when, always keep the client updated. Please, when you consult with the service provider whom maintain the server, make sure that all third-parties are involved only if applicable e.g. when other software from other parties were also moved to the new or other server in the same timeline as this may have had a influence. You have to identify responsible parties, all parties have to be responsible for their part which may have influenced the others error. Most of the time it is due to lack of communication between "IT" parties and results in downtime for the client.
 
Saajid said:
Perhaps its time they ditched Exchange and consider migrating to Google Apps?
Click to expand...

We use Google Apps for a few of our domains, the free one, which allows 10 addresses.

It works very well, but I still like using the "old school", as you are more in control.
 
Saajid said:
Perhaps its time they ditched Exchange and consider migrating to Google Apps?
Click to expand...

ant_man said:
We use Google Apps for a few of our domains, the free one, which allows 10 addresses.

It works very well, but I still like using the "old school", as you are more in control.
Click to expand...

There is an advantage to Google Apps - and disadvantages as well.

If something goes wrong, then you can do sweet FA, and have to wait for Google to fix the problem.

And it's not cheap either, if you need more than 11 licences, you'll have to pay.

But it should be perfect for the small office who can't afford an email server (and IT admin guy) and just need a couple of email addresses without the headaches of having to worry about backups etc.

Yep, backups too.
 
The_Librarian said:
There is an advantage to Google Apps - and disadvantages as well.

If something goes wrong, then you can do sweet FA, and have to wait for Google to fix the problem.

And it's not cheap either, if you need more than 11 licences, you'll have to pay.

But it should be perfect for the small office who can't afford an email server (and IT admin guy) and just need a couple of email addresses without the headaches of having to worry about backups etc.

Yep, backups too.
Click to expand...

Yeah that is why I am not too fond of Google.
It has been down a few times and there was jack we could do.

Many SME dont know about this option, they get tied into expensive packages from the big ISP's.
Very strange why Google hasnt pushed this some more.
 
There's a couple of Linux distro's out there should you want to host your own email, but doesn't want to use Windows/Exchange for obvious reasons.

SME Server (free)
ClearOS (free, option of paid-for support)

Should you want to use Windows, then there is :

hMailServer (free)
mDaemon (commercial)

amongst others.
 
The_Librarian said:
There's a couple of Linux distro's out there should you want to host your own email, but doesn't want to use Windows/Exchange for obvious reasons.

SME Server (free)
ClearOS (free, option of paid-for support)

Should you want to use Windows, then there is :

hMailServer (free)
mDaemon (commercial)

amongst others.
Click to expand...

You Are A star.
I will go and have a look at all of them.
Thanks Again
A
 
Depending on what the company is looking for, you could call Microsoft services, who will do a full evaluation of the environment, and give recommendations, at a significant fee of course....
 
The_Librarian said:
There's a couple of Linux distro's out there should you want to host your own email, but doesn't want to use Windows/Exchange for obvious reasons.

SME Server (free)
ClearOS (free, option of paid-for support)

Should you want to use Windows, then there is :

hMailServer (free)
mDaemon (commercial)

amongst others.
Click to expand...

Thumbs up!

ClearOS rocks, I have integrated that into a private WUG.

SME have given some functional problems, but does wonders for a open-source (free) environment.
 
An international firm is likely to have an ISO or somesuch standard it adheres to, which would probably cover their IT infrastructure as well. This could very possibly exclude the use of cloud hosted solutions.
 
Depending on the location I might be able to assist onsite/remotely or refer to one of my MS partners,you can PM me if needed
 
PsyWulf said:
Depending on the location I might be able to assist onsite/remotely or refer to one of my MS partners,you can PM me if needed
Click to expand...

Thanks PsyWulf, apparently the support company has brought in an "expert".

I will give you a shout if a third party assessment is required - I personally don't trust these guys. The company is in the Randburg area.
 
phaktza said:
Thanks PsyWulf, apparently the support company has brought in an "expert".

I will give you a shout if a third party assessment is required - I personally don't trust these guys. The company is in the Randburg area.
Click to expand...
Not to sound nasty, but probably that "expert" is a friend of theirs who needs the cash... I might be wrong though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X