Exchange APM backup failing with error: "Error ending backup, the parameter is not valid"
The main symptom of this issue is that the NetVault Exchange APM can not get the list of the Storage Groups on the Exchange Server.
NetVault Binary log details show:
Job Message 2013/05/03 14:27:32 4037 Data Plugin RHE-EX01 Exchange Server APM License Edition is ‘Enterprise’
Job Message 2013/05/03 14:27:32 4037 Data Plugin RHE-EX01 Plugin: 'Exchange Server APM', Version: '4.6.8'
Job Message 2013/05/03 14:27:33 4037 Data Plugin RHE-EX01 Preparing a Differential Backup
Error 2013/05/03 14:27:33 4037 Data Plugin RHE-EX01 Could not get list of Storage Groups on server 'RHE-EX01', application 'Microsoft Information Store'.
Error 2013/05/03 14:27:33 4037 Data Plugin RHE-EX01 Error ending backup: 'The parameter is not valid.'
Error 2013/05/03 14:27:33 4037 Data Plugin RHE-EX01 No Storage Groups found to back up
In the subcontext of the logs, you will also see the error:
An error occurred:
The requested ESE RPC service is not started.
Time Sync Issue between Exchange and Domain Controller(s)
There are known issues to this error as highlighted in Knowledge Article 81203 located here:
https://support.quest.com/SolutionDetail.aspx?ID=81203
However, if it is determined this is not the cause of this issue, please look to the time sync on the Exchange Server, especially if you have multiple Exchange Servers and multiple domain controllers. You could see this error from different scenarios when it comes to time sync.
Example 1:
Exchange Server not synced to time server
You have multiple DCs/Time Servers. Typically, one will be the Authorative Time Server and one will be synced with the other. In this scenario, the Exchange Server is not synced with either, using its own time source. This will cause an issue with the Exchange Server APM which is speaking through PS on the Exchange Server which is talking to the DC. While the Exchange Server is linked to the DC, it does not mean that the time sync is set up properly, thus causing an issue on the Exchange Server as well. That being said these might not be as easy to catch because the time on the Exchange Server is the same as the DC. Make sure that the Exchange Server is synced to the time server in this scenario, otherwise, this error will occur during the NetVault: Exchange APM Backup job.
Example 2:
2 DCs not in sync with eachother
Time Server 1 (Authorative) not synced correctly with Time Server 2, Exchange getting time from Time Server 2. Same issue would occur. Fix time sync between DCs.
