CSS keepalive for Exchange 2003

[8053zz]

I am load balancing multiple ISA servers with a pair of 11506's - with Exchnage 2003 running behind them.

I am not to fimilar with Exchange 2003 so I am not really sure how to customize a script that will validate whether the mailbox services are running correctly.

I was just curious whether anyone had any suggestions or links to good information on customizing css scripts.

Thanks

[seilsz]

Nick,

Unless your clients are accessing the Exchange server using POP or IMAP, all of the client <--> server communication happens on TCP port 135. Unfortunately, TCP port 135 is used by all Windows OSes and is not unique to Exchange (so its availability isn't an indication of mailbox availability).

If you wanted to get creative, you could try to monitor the state of the Exchange services using SNMP or WMI. This would require you to send a "raw" request from the script. The raw data would have to be captured from a sniffer.

You can find some good examples of sending raw data in script keepalives here:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/contnetw/ps792/products_administration_guide_chapter09186a00801eea3e.html#1004461

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/contnetw/ps792/products_administration_guide_chapter09186a00801eea3e.html#1004556

You can find information about the protocols and ports used by Microsoft Exchange here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;176466

~Zach

[8053zz]

Zach,

Thanks for the information. Those links are very helpful.