Home > Microsoft Exchange Tips > Exchange Server Administration Tips > Proper patching for both front-end and back-end Exchange Server setups
Exchange Tips:
EMAIL THIS
 TIPS & NEWSLETTERS TOPICS 

EXCHANGE SERVER ADMINISTRATION TIPS

Proper patching for both front-end and back-end Exchange Server setups


Serdar Yegulalp
06.22.2006
Rating: -4.75- (out of 5)


Exchange Server tips, tutorials and expert advice
Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google


Outlook Web Access (OWA) works in front-end/back-end Exchange Server deployments, but you need to pay extra attention to maintenance if you're running this setup. This is doubly important for updates and service packs, which should always be applied to front-end servers and back-end servers in synchrony. Otherwise, you could run into OWA performance and availability problems.

If you improperly or inconsistently update your front-end and back-end servers, OWA users may receive a "Loading" message when they try to access their mailboxes from the front-end server -- but no messages will ever actually display, and reloading will not help.

This problem typically arises when the back-end server is updated without the front-end server also being patched. It is also important to note that the proper order of operations is to always upgrade your front-end servers before your back-end servers. See Microsoft TechNet article, Service Packs: Upgrading front-end and back-end servers.

A quick way to bring your front-end and back-end servers into synchrony is to examine the contents of the \Program Files\Exchsrvr\exchweb folder on each of them. Usually, the directory will have a few folders with revision numbers in them, such as 6.5.6944.0 and <


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google


RELATED CONTENT
Outlook Web Access
Troubleshoot 'System Attendant' error messages in OWA
Troubleshoot Microsoft Outlook Web Access problems
Detecting update rollup and patch failures in OWA
Troubleshoot IIS metabase corruption in Outlook Web Access
Fix 'Service unavailable' errors and other common OWA login problems
Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook Web Access logon issues
Tools to report on Outlook Mobile Access usage
Outlook Web Access issues after an Exchange 2003 migration
Top 5 Outlook Web Access (OWA) tips of 2008
Troubleshooting Outlook Web Access issues on a 64-bit system

Exchange Server Administration Tips
Fixing DPM 2007 inconsistent replica errors in Exchange Server
Using Mobile Device Manager 2008 server roles in Exchange 2007
An introduction to the DSAccess service in Exchange Server 2007
Exchange Performance Monitor tracks domain controller communication
Exchange Server 2007 SP2 reinstates built-in backup capabilities
Three Performance Monitors counters to use in Exchange Server 2007
Scheduling multiple Performance Monitor alerts in Exchange Server 2007
Which ActiveSync authentication method is best for your mobile device?
Configure Performance Monitor alerts for Exchange Server 2007
Disable ActiveSync in bulk with Exchange Management Shell commands

Outlook and Outlook Web Access Tips
Troubleshoot Microsoft Outlook Web Access problems
Control Outlook 2007 in cached mode settings with group policies
Performing advanced search queries in Microsoft Outlook 2007
Group policy settings for Outlook 2007 in cached mode
Detecting update rollup and patch failures in OWA
How Windows Desktop Search works in Microsoft Outlook 2007
Troubleshoot IIS metabase corruption in Outlook Web Access
How a bare-metal restore affects Microsoft Outlook 2007 performance
Fix 'Service unavailable' errors and other common OWA login problems
Understand data file storage in Outlook 2007 Roaming and Local folders

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary


b>6.5.7226.0. The most recent updates are in the highest numbered folders.

You can then copy the folders from the back-end server and paste them into the exchweb folder on the front-end server. If you have more than one front-end server, make sure you do this for all of them. (You do not need to restart Exchange Server when you're done.)

The best long-term solution is, of course, to patch both machines, but the above workaround is useful if you want to get things working without going through the downtime required to patch Exchange Server.

About the author: Serdar Yegulalp is editor of the Windows Power Users Newsletter.

Do you have comments on this tip? Let us know.

Related information from SearchExchange.com:

  • Tutorial: How to set up a front-end Exchange Server cluster
  • Expert Advice: Deciding between a front-end and back-end Exchange server
  • FAQ: Outlook Web Access administration
  • Learning Center: Troubleshooting Outlook Web Access
  • Reference Center: Outlook Web Access tips and resources

    Please let others know how useful this tip is via the rating scale below. Do you have a useful Lotus Notes, Domino, Workplace or WebSphere tip or code snippet to share? Submit it to our tip contest and you could win a prize.

    Rate this Tip
    To rate tips, you must be a member of SearchExchange.com.
    Register now to start rating these tips. Log in if you are already a member.


    Submit a Tip




    DISCLAIMER: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.



    • Email Server Solutions: Exchange 2007, Exchange 2003, Exchange 2000, SharePoint
    HomeNewsTopicsITKnowledge ExchangeTipsAsk the ExpertsMultimediaWhite PapersIT Downloads
    About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
    SEARCH 
    TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

    TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




    All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2004 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy     		  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts