Support for Microsoft Exchange Server and Office 365

This post is written to bring to your attention over the two support articles or we can even call them as support resources for Exchange Server products and Office 365 products, This is a one shop resource from Microsoft where it provides you with all the required information  and support you need to know about the products under a single window which is categorized for your ease of selection.

I found these resources useful and sharing with you here to get it added to your browser favorites and Bookmarks for future reference.

Access the articles below,

Support for Microsoft Exchange Server

Support for Microsoft Office 365

Exchange Server 2013 CU3 Upgrade Experience from Experts

Microsoft Exchange team released CU3 for Exchange Server 2013 and Update Rollup 3 for Exchange Server 2010 Sp3 earlier this week, Updating Exchange Server 2010 Sp3 follows the similar procedure for updating the server with new update Roll-up as we do traditionally, If want to do it at ease checkout here. Since with the latest release of our Exchange Server 2013 we have the Cumulative updates which are full build of the Exchange Server with the additional fixes and updates bundled together and eventually requires Schema update and also a painful rework of configuring your customized settings once again post upgrade.

I wrote this post to guide you for performing a successful upgrade through the experience and guidance shared by our Experts. first let's begin with the the latest post from our renowned Exchange MVP JaapWesselius on his blog over his Exchange Server 2013 CU3 upgrade experience and this is an excellent post to begin, where Japp explains in detail about the above said points for better understanding and also visually shows you with instructions how to perform a seamless upgrade.

Read the post here: Upgrade to Exchange Server 2013 RTM CU3

Additionally, take a look at the New Updated post from Our Exchange MVP Michael Van Horenbeeck on his office blog where he has made some updation to the automated scripts he created for placing the server in Maintenance mode which is essential during the CU upgrade and this automated scripts are rich resource and makes our work at ease and saves time.

Check out here : Script: putting Exchange Server 2013 into Maintenance Mode

For detailed Information on upgrading Exchange Server 2013 check out this post from ExchangeServerpro from our Exchange MVP Paul Cunningham

Review here : Installing Cumulative Updates for Exchange Server 2013

Now the heat has started and we can receive more over the CU3 upgrade experience from our experts watch out their blogs to stay updated and also I am planning to test it soon and will share my experience, As usual test and play with it in the Lab environment and wait for a while and analyze whether everything is fine and then start with your production upgrade.

Update:

Read this below Excellent post from 250 Hello TechNet blog written by Rhoderick Milne MSFT  over the installation of Exchange 2013 CU and the common mistakes to avoid while installing through command line which we normally do.

Check here : 6 Mistakes To Avoid With Exchange 2013 CU Command Line Installations

Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 TechNet Library Documentation Now Available

Today Microsoft Team has released the TechNet Library Documentation for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2.

Quick preview of the topics covered

This documentation is quite a big one to read as it contains about close to 8000 pages which covers all the aspects of these Server Operating systems and we can call this one as a rich resource to know more and understand better over these products at all levels.

Download here : Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 TechNet Library Documentation

Lync-Skype Connectivity

I am writing this post a bit late as most of you are already aware about the general availability of Lync-Skype connectivity, this great enhancement allows Lync and Skype users to add each other as their contacts and start to do IM sessions and audio calls seamlessly, Video features is on the way and we can expect this to be included soon as things are now happening rapidly with Microsoft as ever before.

Prior to this feature, Lync already has a great feature of connecting with external IM providers like Yahoo, Google Talk, AOL and Skype(before MS acquired) etc., using the Public IM connectivity feature and time is moving fast and Federation with Yahoo and AOL will end soon in mid of 2014 and now Skype has become a part of Microsoft as a result we have the new Lync-Skype connectivity at ease and enabling it is easy with prescribed guidelines and this differs from the traditional PIC configuration.

I reviewed few vital articles and sharing them here for your easy reference which would typically assist you in understanding more on this topic and also show you how to enable this feature in both Lync Online and On premise along with the detailed instructions of what an end user should do to get this feature to work on the move and few other important information in a nutshell.

First review the Lync Team blog post : Lync-Skype connectivity available today

Once you get to know the feature it's time for deployment and validating it on live and you can easily get this done with the help of the excellent Microsoft Provisioning Guide

Download: Provisioning Guide for Lync-Skype Connectivity: Lync Server 2013 and Lync Online

Finally, Check this Provisioning Lync Server for Skype Connectivity - FAQs 

It's Update Day for Exchange!

Today is quite significant that Microsoft Team has released two important long awaited updates for Exchange Server 2010 and 2013, they are Update Rollup 3 For Exchange 2010 SP3 and Cumulative Update 3 for Exchange Server 2013, these updates are quite significant as Microsoft promised most of the current issues on the product will get addressed with the release of these updates at various instances.

Download them and test them before you start your production deployment as usual and also have a quick check at the corresponding Ehlo blog posts and description for detailed information.

Download : Update Rollup 3 For Exchange 2010 SP3

Ehlo blog post: Released: Update Rollup 3 For Exchange 2010 Service Pack 3

Download: Cumulative Update 3 for Exchange Server 2013

Ehlo blog post: Released: Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 3

We can wait for the next update from Microsoft for Exchange 2013 early next year,  and if you have not yet migrated to 2013, you can wait till the next release and then start your migration.

Tony Redmond is faster than any one when it comes to Exchange and within few hours of  today's update release he has written an excellent post over his views and a quick overview of some the new enhancements and requirements with Exchange Server 2013 CU3 for better understanding.

Check out here : Seeking quality with Exchange 2013 CU3

One more post from our Paul Robichaux MVP on his blog over this update releases which throws some additional light over few major considerations when upgrading to CU3 and most important facts over Exchange Hybrid deployment.

Check out here : Exchange 2013 Cumulative Update 3 released

Both of these articles from our experts is quite good to know more on this update release and few facts over the upcoming release of Exchange Server 2013 SP1 early next year.

Managed Availability Documentation Now Available

Today Scott Schnoll MSFT has written an excellent post on his Is this thing On?  blog over the availability of Managed Availability documentation. In here is quickly summarizes what is Managed Availability is all about and its vital components and directs us where to go and read more to on the topic along with rich information and examples.

Scott categorized this into below 5 categories and explains them clearly and for people who wants to know what is Managed availability then this is the best place to start

• Overview
• Health Sets
• Health Groups
• Overrides
• Management Tasks and Cmdlets

Read the post here: New Managed Availability Documentation Available

Additionally look out this EHLO Blog post along with it's previous posts which will be shown inside to know more on Managed Availability and also review the recorded Ignite event occurred recently for real time demo from Microsoft , I myself attended this session and gained a good experience on the topic and had my queries clarified.

Access the post here: Customizing Managed Availability

Access the Video here : Ignite Webcast - Managed Availability

New ActiveSync Issue for Android Devices with KitKat

Today I came across a tweet from MVP Tony Redmond that pointed me to his new blog post on the WindowsIT Pro forum, where he update us regarding the new ActiveSync issue faced by users who has upgraded their Mobile device OS to the latest release KitKat (Android 4.4). I reviewed the Android forums and found most users are affected and also Google has closed this bug, but no proper fix released yet to address this issue. With this state make sure you educate your users to stay with Android 4.3 and avoid this upgrade if they want to use ActiveSync without issues, and can perform an upgrade later, once things are sorted out.

Read the post and provide an Heads up to your Admins and Users over the issue to manage thing before it breaks out at the earliest.

Read the full post here: Kitkat causes ActiveSync headaches for Android users

Update: 

Found a blog post which provides resolution to this issue.

Review here : Android KitKat 4.4.2 Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) Error Solved

Before you make any upgrade to your Mobile OS version always have a check in the Online Communities to ensure that your are not getting affected with any issues through that upgrade.

Comparing remote display protocols with TechTarget

Today I was reading over VDI and came across this excellent post from TechTarget under SearchVirtualDesktop forum, When it comes to Desktop virtualization the major concern is over the GPU which is required for working with high end graphical applications which requires 3D modelling, rendering etc., This articles takes focus on top 3 virtualization providers and their protocols which delivers this service and they are none other than our Microsoft, VMware and Citrix and their RDP/RemoteFX, PCoIP and HDX protocols.

I recently attended a live VMware symposium event where I got glimpse of VMware's VDI deployment with Horizon View, which was quite excellent, Citrix Xen Desktop is already famous and needs no introduction and now Microsoft  joined the race and competing with the two major giants through it's RemoteFX protocol for delivering high end VDI experience.

Check out this article to know more: Comparing remote display protocols: RemoteFX vs. HDX vs. PCoIP

Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Configuration & Clients E-Book

Exchange Server 2013 is on the move now and major Organizations already started to migrate to 2013 and it's now time for the Admins to know more on the product and get things done with perfection. Download and read this excellent E-book written by renowned Technical Expert and Author William R. Stanek to know and do more with Exchange Server 2013.

Download : Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Configuration & Clients

Grab your paper back from Amazon and also Author has written few other books in series get them all for understanding Exchange Server 2013.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Pocket Consultant: Configuration & Clients Paperback

The Hands-on Guide:Understanding Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012

Hyper-V is a not new to many of us but it was not quite popular as VMware on Server virtualization and now Microsoft team has spent additional time on improvising their Virtualization platform and brought in some enhanced features with the new release of Hyper-V 3.0 with Windows Server 2012 which is starting to revolutionize the Virtualization industry as Organizations started to adopt for their Server Virtualization as now it offers similar and some enhanced features in comparison with it's competitors and it's time for us to take a quick preview and Hands on experience through the excellent E-book from our all time favorite MVP Brien Posey along with other Technical experts Pete Zerger and Chris Henley published by VEEAM Software.

Register yourself free and download the copy here: The Hands-on Guide:Understanding Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012

Mastering Microsoft Lync Server 2013 E-Book

Mastering Microsoft Lync Server 2013 book is one of the fine resource for learning Lync Server 2013, download this E-book and add it to your study collection and Master yourself with Lync.

Download here: Mastering Microsoft Lync Server 2013

Grab your Paperback from Amazon, This E-book is a must one to have Handy to know about Lync Server 2013 for every Administrator.

Mastering Microsoft Lync Server 2013 [Paperback]

Exchange and Office 2013 Service Pack 1 coming in early 2014

Microsoft team released two Official announcement that early next year 2014 we will have Service Pack 1 released for Exchange Server 2013 and Office 2013, its been quite a while ago these products were released and already Microsoft team is releasing cumulative updates for Exchange and Office which ideally fixes few outstanding issues and brings in new features but eventually triggers new issues which in turn gets fixed in the upcoming updates and the story goes on and on.

From the Exchange Server 2013 perspective we can expect some good features with SP1 like inclusion of Edge Transport role again which is discontinued and getting re-added now and also support for Windows Server 2012 R2 etc., if  you check the comments section on the EHLO Blog post you will get to know more on various views and queries raised by customers and Microsoft answers for better understanding, We don't have much visibility on Office end and we may get one soon and I hope these products stays stable and add value to our environment.

Check the announcements here

Exchange Server 2013 Service Pack 1 Coming in Early 2014

Office 2013 Service Pack 1 coming early next year

Office 365 Admin App Now Available

I reviewed the Office 365 Blog again today and came across one more new add-on from Microsoft O365 team and it's the new Office 365 Admin App released for Checking the status of your O365 services health on the move from your mobile device and get to know what's happening without connecting to the Admin Portal and receive updates and communicate accordingly to your users from anywhere and currently the App is released for Windows Phone 8 and in the upcoming weeks we will have the App released for Android and iOS devices.

Check out the below O365 blog post to know more and also download the app to experience the feature.

Access here: Check the service health of your Office 365 service on the go

Office 365 Message Encryption Coming Soon!

Today we had official announcement from Microsoft O365 team over the new upcoming Office 365 Message Encryption feature, Message Encryption is not a new term as most of us are well aware over this for years and many of the Organizations still continue to use this mechanism for secure email exchange.

Microsoft team is now majorly concentrating on Security and Compliance, with the release of Exchange Server 2013 we have strong DLP features and the same available in O365 and also the new RMS feature introduced adds additional layer of Security for Collaborating with O365 and additionally now we have the Message Encryption feature getting added and this makes us to feel now O365 is becoming a better choice in terms of Compliance, Privacy and Security.

I am listing out few Vital blog posts from O365 Technical blog for you to read on the DLP and RMS features with O365 and we can proceed with the actual post for Message Encryption

Check these posts

Office 365 compliance controls: Data Loss Prevention

Collaborate confidently using Rights Management

Cloud Services you can trust: Security, Compliance, and Privacy in Office 365

Now get in to our Topic and take a look at the blog post over the upcoming release of Message Encryption, with E3 and E4 license you will get this for free along with Windows Azure RMS and for other plans you can acquire it for $2 per month included with Windows Azure RMS standalone service without any additional cost.

Introducing Office 365 Message Encryption: Send encrypted emails to anyone!

Additional Bytes

Check out the below latest post from WindowsITPro on the Topic from none other than our MVP Tony Redmond for some more additional information.

 Office 365 Message Encryption: Protect your email against the spooks

Microsoft team Announced the General availability of the Service today from FEB 19 2014.

Read the official announcement : Office 365 Message Encryption — now rolling out!

*Check the below TechTarget post to know how Azure RMS provides strong data protection explained clearly.

Azure RMS offers a simpler data protection alternative

*Finally, review the below TechNet Blog post to know complete information on this Message Encryption feature with guided walkthrough for implementation along Technical deep dive experience.


Office 365 Message Encryption (& Decryption) - Steps – Understanding, Purchase Options, Configuration, Branding & Use 

Lync and Exchange - Better Together Presentation

Microsoft Lync Server 2013 and Exchange Server 2013 are very robust products individually and when we integrate both of them we will get some enhanced features as ever before with these latest version in comparison with it's predecessors.

I already wrote a blog post on this topic referencing a Technet Blog post from Alan Maddison MSFT under the title Lync Server 2013 and Exchange Server 2013 Integration , in here Alan shows us the benefits of having Lync and Exchange together in a detailed description.

To further add to this topic, I reviewed few of my Power point presentation collection and came across two vital ones for our topic, one from Lync Conference under this blog post title occurred early this year and the other one from Ignite event.  These presentations will typically show you how the architecture behind Exchange and Lync integration works with live examples, benefits and much more, after reviewing this you will have a clear understanding on the subject.

I am providing you the direct download links below,

Download : Lync and Exchange - Better Together

Download : Lync People, Presence, and Federation Infrastructure