Tool Tip: RBAC Manager R2 for Exchange

Reading Time: 2 minutes This week I had a session at a customer to customize the default RBAC roles, for instance removing the mobile device remote wipe feature from Recipient Management. Customizing RBAC roles is in most cases not something that is a frequent task, so it can take a while to familiarize and re-familiarize with the concept and all cmdlets. But if your organization does not fit in the default roles, you will have to dig into it. However, I came across a

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No, Windows Phone ActiveSync is not on par with OWA for Devices

Reading Time: 3 minutes Recently I came across this Twitter exchange: @WayneHRiddle You don't need it for WP. Native app handles all of that functionality. — Ben Rudolph (@BenThePCGuy) January 17, 2015 I've heard this argument before, that the Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) implementation in Windows Phone doesn't require an OWA for Devices app (or MOWA as is the official acronym) like iOS has (for iPad and iPhone) and what is currently in preview for Android. Although the Windows Phone 8 ActiveSync implementation doesn't have the

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Do not update your Office Web Apps Server with automatic updates

Reading Time: 2 minutes Although it is not exactly required to deploy with Exchange Server 2013, Office Web Apps Server (OWAS or also referred to as WAC server) provides a more user friendly experience instead of the standard Web Preview. For Lync Server 2013 it's a requirement if you want to be able to present PowerPoint files in a conference. And well, for SharePoint Server it's just a given. So, it's not an uncommon server to encounter when you work with these products. However

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Managing Mailbox quota’s: databases with different settings?

Reading Time: 3 minutes So, a while back I discussed an on-premises Exchange design for a customer. When discussing database distribution in an Exchange 2013 Database Availability Group (DAG), the topic of mailbox quota’s came along. They insisted on having different Database (DB) level quota’s and move mailboxes to other databases when the user requires more storage space. It’s a tactic I have seen before, especially during Exchange 2003 (Enterprise edition) and Exchange 2007. I can understand why organization adopt this practice, it’s easy

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Disable Offline OWA in Exchange 2013

Reading Time: < 1 minute Although the Offline OWA functionality in Exchange 2013 is a great addition for those that cannot use Outlook (Anywhere with Cached Mode), but are frequently without internet. However, as the browser database in which Exchange OWA stores it’s information isn’t encrypted, it can be a security issue. It can be turned of via the Exchange Admin Center (EAC) via Permissions>Outlook Web App Policies and then edit the policies by double-clicking them. Navigate in the pop-up window to Offline Access and

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Windows 8.1 Enterprise upgrade: You can’t keep apps?

Reading Time: 2 minutes I was postponing my work laptop Windows 8 Enterprise upgrade to 8.1, because I assumed I would have to install every app over again. My Windows 8 Pro upgrade to 8.1 on my personal desktop didn’t go as smooth as I had hoped. I had to install every (desktop) application again, as I did not have the option to “Keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications” but only “Keep personal files only (data only)” or “Nothing”. Now, I didn’t update

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Exchange RBAC might be more granular than you think

Reading Time: 2 minutes Most Exchange admins probably know (or should know )  the permission model since Exchange 2010 is Role Based Access Control, RBAC for short. With it, you can regulate quite granularly what admins and end-user are able to do, without the hassles of Access Control Lists (ACLs). However, it recently became clear that it might be more granular than you think. You can allow only certain types of PowerShell Cmdlets, have only change rights on a certain Organizational Unit (OU)or types

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Failed Exchange Server 2013 CU2 & CU3 install due to security update 2874216 (updated again)

Reading Time: 4 minutes Today a customer asked for my help because an installation of Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 2  (v2) had failed; Their Exchange environment didn’t work anymore and they were stuck. During the installation from Cumulative Update 1 (CU1) to Cumulative Update 2 (CU2), they encountered the following error: Error: Unable to remove product with code 4934d1ea-be46-48b1-8847-f1af20e892c1. Fatal error during installation. Error code is 1603. Last error reported by the MSI package is 'Unable to install because a previous Interim Update

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Apple iPhone 5s TouchID and Exchange ActiveSync (updated)

Reading Time: 3 minutes 2013/10/17: Added support statement by Microsoft below Just today I was curious how the Apple biometric convenience solution TouchID on the iPhone 5s would impact password policies enforced by Exchange ActiveSync(EAS). I frequently run into complaints from Android users who previously used a Pattern Lock instead of a PIN to unlock their phones. When my EAS policy sets specific password requirements, the Pattern Lock is replaced by the phone OS to the more traditional PIN (or alphanumeric password) unlock. Unfortunately,

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My portable lab hardware

Reading Time: 2 minutes Recently somebody asked via Twitter my what the make and model is of my laptop, used for Exchange testing environments. Well, 140 characters is not a lot of space so I decided to blog about it. Our company uses Dell laptops as a laptop standard, but other vendors might have comparable configurations. The main model type is a Precision M4700, but for lab purposes the configuration has been customized: CPU: Intel Core i7-3820QM @ 2,70GHz Memory: 32GB (4x8GB) 1600MHz DDR3

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