Exchange 2007 & 2010: Current issues with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and Third Party Devices

The following is a list of current issues observed by Microsoft Support personnel for Exchange Server 2007 and Exchange Server 2010 with third-party vendor devices. If you are using Exchange Server 2007 SP3 or Exchange Server 2010 SP1 and you are experiencing an EAS issue not listed below, contact Microsoft Support Services to investigate the issue.

1. Automatic meeting processing

Issue 1.1 – Recurring meeting is removed from calendar when organizer cancels single occurrence

When you synchronize your iOS device by using Exchange ActiveSync on an Exchange Server 2007 mailbox, if the organizer cancels a single occurrence of a recurring meeting, the device may unexpectedly delete the entire recurring meeting.

Solution

There are two parts to this solution:

Install the Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3 (SP3) update rollup 4 (RU4). The problem details and the link to the update are documented in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

2502276 A meeting request series are deleted unexpectedly from the calendar in an Exchange Server 2007 environment

Update the Apple iOS on your device to version 4.3 or later. For more details on the latest iOS version, click the following link:

http://www.apple.com/ios

Apple has documented the issue at the following web site:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3714

Issue 1.2 – Attendee becomes meeting organizer

When you synchronize your iOS or Android device by using Exchange ActiveSync on an Exchange Server 2007 mailbox, you may unexpectedly become the organizer for a meeting that you were invited to. This does not change the meeting for all attendees.

Solution

This can occur if you change the reminder for a single occurrence of a recurring meeting on an iOS or Android device. There may be other property changes to meeting items that may result in the same symptom.

This issue is resolved in Rollup Update 4 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3. See the KB article below for additional information.

2521063 You are incorrectly displayed as a meeting organizer after you synchronize the meeting by using your mobile device in an Exchange Server 2007 environment

Note Affected meetings must be deleted and replacement meetings must be created after the servers are patched.

Issue 1.3 – Your meeting response to the organizer appears to have been sent by someone else

When you respond to an Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) meeting invitation, the meeting originator may see someone else’s name displayed as having accepted the invitation instead of you.

Solution

Ensure the Apple iOS on your device is version 4.3 or later. For more details on the latest iOS version, click the following link:

http://www.apple.com/ios

This was fixed by Apple in iOS 3.1. For more details, visit the following Apple web site:

iPhone and iPod touch: My replies to Exchange ActiveSync invitations seem to come from someone else

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2806

Issue 1.4 – All Day Flag is not set properly on Mobile devices when meeting is scheduled cross multiple days

Mobile device clients do not treat a meeting request as an all day event meeting request. Additionally, the All Day field is marked with "No".

Solution

This issue is resolved in Exchange 2007 Service Pack 3 Rollup 2. The problem is documented in the following articles from the Microsoft Knowledge Base online:

2201236  The "All Day" field is marked with "No" when you access a meeting request that has a duration time that is more than 24 hours by using a mobile client through ActiveSync in an Exchange Server 2007 environment

2201236  Description of Update Rollup 2 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3

Issue 1.5 – Recurring Exchange calendar events deleted

In some situations, recurring calendar events can be removed from both the iOS device and Exchange when the organizer cancels an event instance.

Solution

This issue is resolved by Apple iOS 4.3, and impacts only the 4.2.6 and earlier versions. Apple has documented the issue at the following web site:

iOS: Recurring Exchange calendar events deleted

https://support.apple.com/kb/ts3714

Issue 1.6 – Appointment exceeding 24 hours changed to multiple day All Day Event

When an appointment item’s duration exceeds 24 hours, but is not marked as an All Day Event, Exchange ActiveSync changes the item on the device to become a multi-day All Day Event. The next time that the device synchronizes with the mailbox, the change is propagated from the item on the device to the item on the Exchange Server 2010 mailbox.

Solution

Microsoft is investigating this issue. This problem can occur when using any ActiveSync device synchronizing with Exchange Server 2010.

2. Connectivity and synchronization failures

Issue 2.1 – Failures to Provision and Synchronize with Android OS

EAS policies can cause provisioning and synchronization to fail, when customized. Devices will not be provisioned if a policy is applied to the users of these devices that exceeds these limitations. This is discussed in comment 9 from the following post on Google’s Android forum:

http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=9426

"We only support the basic (EAS 2.5) features in Froyo. So if your server requires, for example, password history or expiration, or complex characters, then it won’t be provisionable in Froyo. Our goal is to provide more policy support in future versions, but for now we support – password (PIN/alpha), minimum characters, max. fails to wipe, inactivity timeout, and remote wipe."

Solution

Updates to the Android OS version appear to resolve this problem. We encourage device users to update to the latest version available from their provider and follow vendor forums on synchronization issues. If the decision is made to allow older devices in the organization, Administrators can canvass device users, or use tools Log Parser or Export-ActiveSyncLog, to ensure that such devices are identified in the organization. Users of older devices can be grouped into a policy that can work for them.

Issue 2.2 – Unable to connect using Exchange ActiveSync due to Exchange resource consumption

There are several symptoms and remediation methods for issues with resource depletion caused by devices connecting with Exchange ActiveSync.

Solution

Administrators should review the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base to determine if they are experiencing the same server symptoms:

2201236  Unable to connect using Exchange ActiveSync due to Exchange resource consumption

Note This article also describes a known issue with iOS 4.0, defined by user agent 801.293 – http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3398 and is discussed in Issue 2.5, below.

Issue 2.3 – "This message has not been downloaded from the server" error when trying to open a message

You synchronize your Exchange Server mailbox with your iOS device. When you try to open a message on the iOS device, the following error may be displayed:

This message has not been downloaded from the server

Solution

You must configure the Accepted Domain using Exchange Management Shell. Use the steps in item #7 in the following post from the Exchange Team Blog:

Exchange 2010 SP1 FAQ and Known Issues

http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2010/09/01/3410888.aspx

This issue is being reviewed by the Microsoft Exchange product team.

Issue 2.4- You receive a synchronization failed email message when you synchronize your mobile device

When you synchronize your mobile device by using ActiveSync on an Exchange Server 2010 mailbox, you receive a synchronization failed email message similar to the following:

From: Microsoft Exchange on Behalf of <user>

Sent: <date>

To: <other user>

Subject: Synchronization with your <ActiveSync device> failed for 1 items.

Synchronization with your <ActiveSync device> failed for 1 items.

Microsoft Exchange was unable to send the following items to your mobile device. These items have not been deleted. You should be able to access them using either Outlook or Outlook Web Access.

Item Folder: Inbox

Item Type: IPM.Schedule.Meeting.Resp.Pos

Solution

This issue is described in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

2201236 You receive a synchronization failed email message when you synchronize your mobile device by using ActiveSync on an Exchange Server 2010 mailbox

To resolve this issue, install the following update rollup:

2201236 Description of Update Rollup 3 for Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 1

Issue 2.5- Users are unable to synchronize Apple iPhone iOS 4.0 with the Exchange Server mailbox

Immediately after updating to iOS 4.0, some users may notice that Exchange ActiveSync Mail, Contacts, or Calendars do not sync, or sync very slowly. In addition, some Exchange Server administrators may notice their servers running slowly. This problem is also discussed in Issue 2.2, above.

Solution

Update the device to a later iOS version. Apple has documented the issue at the following web site:

iOS 4.0: Exchange Mail, Contacts, or Calendars may not sync after update

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3398

Issue 2.6- ActiveSync does not work for mobile device users connecting to Exchange Server 2007 mailboxes after swapping URLs between Exchange Server 2010 and 2007

This problem occurs because the device is unable to properly redirect a user whose mailbox has been moved. The 451 redirect response to the device is not properly interpreted.

Solution

Typically, this issue is resolved by device updates to the latest operating system. Verify the following:

Verify that you have configured the LegacyURL for Exchange 2007 users. This will automatically switch the URL for the user to the appropriate target on the device. See the following blog topic:

http://blogs.technet.com/b/jribeiro/archive/2009/11/26/transitioning-from-an-exchange-2007-environment-to-exchange-2010.aspx

This has been reported for several device types, to include iOS and Android operating system. If the problem is noted with the latest version of the device operating system, and the LegacyURL is correctly established and working for other devices, consult with the device vendor’s technical support.

If you are using an Apple iOS device, update the device to the iOS version 4.3.2.

Note In migrations where the mailbox moves are between different forests, a 451 is not sent. The reason for this is that the old server does not know of the new endpoint for connectivity. In such circumstances, the device must be manually reconfigured.

Check: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2563324

2011 was interesting Year

2011 was a great year for me from a work & private perspective.

2012 is going to be crazy as well, nice projects in prospect. All in all it was a great year and there’s a lot of cool stuff already planned for 2012!. I wanted to share a couple of cool facts with you:

  • 40+% Traffic growth compared to 2010
  • Busiest Day: July 13th 2011 – 599 unique views
  • Busiest Month: May 2011 – 10.788 unique views
  • Totally 122.855 unique views

Lets make 2012 at least as successful!

WordPress for Android 2.0 Released

I love blogging. Last week was WordPress for Android released Glimlach. Now you can live blogging from your android phone.

The app now features a fully refreshed UI, a new post editor with a formatting toolbar, support for Android-powered tablets, background posting, and improved stats!

If you aren’t an Android user, never fear! There are plenty of WordPress mobile apps to choose from.

You cannot close the EMC window on a computer that has Internet Explorer 9 installed

Microsoft released the official fix for: You cannot close the EMC window on a computer that has Internet Explorer 9 installed. Windows Internet Explorer 9 installed, you start the Exchange Management Console (EMC). After you make a change and then try to close the EMC window, the window does not close. Additionally you receive the following message:
image_thumb1

You must close all dialog boxes before you can close Exchange Management Console.

Download: KB2618444 Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer: December 13, 2011

MDT 2012: New Features – Hide Shell

Here is a common scenario. You are deploying an operating system using MDT Lite Touch, during the deployment you install some user specific applications. However the users think that the deployment is completed an they close the application installs or perhaps start messing with the machine while it is still logged in as the local administrator. Now you could simply inform the user that they should not touch the computer until the deployment is completed. However in my experience this “don’t touch” approach has not always been 100% successful.

Well now we have a better way, you can hide explorer shell while MDT is “doing it’s thing”!

So how do we do this? It is simple, just add the following line to the customsettings.ini file:

HIDESHELL=YES

I have included before and after shots below:

Look explorer…

,image

No explorer…. that’s better!

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Glimlach

Teradici released Firmware 3.5.0 for PCoIP Zero Clients and PCoIP Host Cards & PCoIP Management Console 1.7.0

    Teradici released a new  PCoIP zero client and host card firmware and the PCoIP Management Console. The following releases are now available for download on the Teradici support site (techsupport.teradici.com):

    • Firmware 3.5.0 for PCoIP Zero Clients and PCoIP Host Cards.
    • PCoIP Management Console 1.7.0

    Firmware 3.5.0 update includes key feature enhancements including:

    • USB2.0 with VMware View sessions
    • Imprivata OneSign® Virtual Desktop Access via proximity cards with VMware View
    • IEEE 802.1x network security
    • IPv6 support. 

    With this release, Teradici continues to innovate PCoIP zero client technology and accelerate the adoption

Exchange 2010 SP2 RTM

Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 2 (SP2) has been released, raising the Exchange version number to 14.2.247.5. You can download Exchange 2010 SP2 here.

For those still unaware, the 530Mb+ file (1,4 GB extracted) contains the full set of binaries; you can use it to upgrade existing RTM or SP1 installations or deploy new Exchange 2010 SP2 installations.

Besides the usual set of hotfixes, SP2 introduces the following features:

Address Book Policies
Address Book Policies, also known as GAL segmentation, ABPs are meant to segmentize the address book, giving users a certain view of the address book like Address List Segregation did for Exchange 2003/2007.

OWA mini
This will be a lightweight browser like OMA in the past, meant for simple browsers.

Hybrid Configuration
This wizard is to make the configuration of an on-premise Exchange and Office 365/Exchange Online more simple, reducing the steps required from 49 to 6.

OWA Cross-Site redirection
This will allow clients to be silently redirected to the proper site if they log on to a CAS server located in a site different than the site where their mailbox is hosted and externalURL has been specified there.

After preparing your forest for Exchange 2010 SP2, the schema version number will have changed. Check the Schema Versions page for information on the new ObjectVersion and RangeUpper values for Exchange 2010 SP2.

Note that SP2 introduces an additional requirement, which is the IIS 6 WMI Compatibility feature; you can add this feature using the GUI or by using the Powershell cmdlets Import-Module ServerManager followed by Add-WindowsFeature Web-WMI.

The proper method to upgrade mailbox servers that are a member of a Database Availability Group is described here.

The releases notes are not available at time of writing; we’ll update this post when they become available.

VMware Workstation 8.0.1 Released

What’s New

Highlights of VMware Workstation 8.0.1 functionality include:

  • Graphics performance and compatibility enhancements.
  • Improvements in creating and using shared virtual machines and remote virtual machines.
  • Ubuntu 11.10 is officially supported as a guest operating system.
  • Disk and memory management issues have been addressed.
  • Many customer-reported issues have been resolved.

VMware Workstation 8.0.1 is a free update for all VMware Workstation 8 users.

Resolved Issues

The following sections list the resolved issues in VMware Workstation 8.0.1.

  • Windows 7 guest installation failed after powering on the virtual machine with the error A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk,
    CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now.
  • VMware Tools failed with the message VMware Tools unrecoverable error.
  • VMware Tools failed to start in Fedora 15 guests.
  • An Ubuntu 11.10 guest crashed with a signal 11 error if you installed or upgraded VMware Tools.
  • On hosts with Nvidia GeForce and Quadro video cards, some of the clouds in the Unigine Heaven Benchmark application were drawn solid black.
  • Easy Install did not properly function on Ubuntu 11.10.
  • If remote virtual machines were open, you could not shut down the Windows hosts.
  • When transitioning from Full Screen mode to Exclusive mode, the Full Screen toolbar sometimes failed to hide.
  • Host memory reservation restrictions on Windows hosts are more relaxed in VMware Workstation 8.0.1 than in previous versions of VMware Workstation.
  • CD/DVD mount Linux.iso failed while installing VMware Tools in Ubuntu 11.10 guests.
  • The AltGr key was not working in an Ubuntu guest in Unity mode when the host and guest keyboards were both set to a layout that contained the AltGr key.

MDT 2012 Beta 2 Monitoring

Today I upgraded a MDT 2010 installation to MDT 2012 Beta 2.

One of the new features is monitoring Glimlach

To Configure monitoring you find a tab Monitoring on properties of the Deployment Share.
You must set a V Enable monitoring of this deployment share

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Under the root of the Deployment Share u see now Monitoring. When you click on Monitoring you can see running deployments.

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