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MessageStats 7.8.1 - Administrator Guide

What is MessageStats? MessageStats Information Sources Using the Console Interface Creating a Connection to Exchange Creating Gathering Tasks Default Gatherings Extending Gathering Tasks Configuring Audits Setting MessageStats Server Properties Setting Configuration Properties Setting Exchange Organization Properties Setting Exchange Server Properties Setting Task Execution Server Properties Setting Task Default Properties Compressing Tracking Log Files Using the MessageStats Reports Console Database Management Appendix A:Microsoft ASP.NET Configuration Issues Appendix B: Gathering Task Dependencies Appendix C:Troubleshooting Permission Problems

Appendix A:Microsoft ASP.NET Configuration Issues

Appendix A:
Microsoft ASP.NET Configuration Issues

MessageStats Reports require that Microsoft .Net Framework 4.7.2 be installed on the server on which the web-based reports are hosted. If you have problems accessing MessageStats Reports, you can check the following settings that affect ASP Active Server Page (ASP) configuration.

To install MessageStats Reports on Windows Server, you must install and enable IIS (Internet Information Services). The Web Server (IIS) role must be installed on Windows Server and the following IIS role services must be enabled:

 
Table 1. Roles Services Required
IIS 7.0 - Web server (IIS) Role services
Services that must be enabled

Common HTTP Features
•
Static Content
•
Default Document

Application Development
•
ASP.NET
•
ASP
•
Server Side Includes

Security
•
Windows Authentication
NOTE: Anonymous authentication must be disabled.

You can install the Web Services (IIS) role using Server Manager and click Manage | Add Roles and Features or through PowerShell cmdlets.

Repairing IIS Mappings for ASP.NET

In some Microsoft environments, you can encounter a configuration issue with Microsoft .NET which results in MessageStats being unable to report information. The error indicates that Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.7.2 must be installed on the IIS server that hosts MessageStats Reports, and that Microsoft ASP.NET must be enabled on the virtual directory that contains MessageStats Reports.

If you are sure that the Microsoft .NET Framework is installed and that ASP.NET is enabled, you may need to repair the IIS mappings for ASP.NET. The following procedure is based on the Microsoft Knowledge Base article 306005. Use the following procedure to configure Microsoft ASP.NET.

To repair configuration mappings for ASP.NET
1
Run the Aspnet_regiis.exe utility:
a
Click Start and select Run.
b
Type cmd and click OK.
c
Navigate to the .NET Framework directory. (%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\version\)
In this path, the version (v) represents the .NET Framework directory version that is installed on the server. Replace the version placeholder in the example with the actual version number.
d
Type the following command:
aspnet_regiis.exe -i
e
Press ENTER.
2
Restart the IIS Service:
f
Click Start and select Run.
g
Type iisreset and press ENTER.
If Repairing the IIS Mappings for ASP.NET Fails

If you follow the procedure to repair the IIS mappings and you still see the error, the cause might be that the Network Service is not granted the correct permission to write to the IIS metabase.

To grant permissions to the Network Service to write to the IIS metabase
1
Click Start and select Run.
2
In the Open text box, type cmd and click OK.
3
Navigate to the .NET Framework directory. (%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\version\)
In this path, the version represents the .NET Framework directory version that is installed on the server. Replace the placeholder in the example with an actual version number.
4
Type the following command:
aspnet_regiis.exe -ga “nt authority\network service”

The “-ga” option grants the specified user or group access to the IIS metabase and other directories that are used by ASP.NET.

Appendix B: Gathering Task Dependencies

Appendix B:
Gathering Task Dependencies

Certain gathering tasks must be completed before other tasks can start. This appendix provides information about any dependencies or prerequisites for a gathering task, such as another task that must be completed or configuration that you must do in the MessageStats console.

Generally you run composite gathering tasks that contain the individual gathering tasks that run in a specific order, depending on information gathered by each gathering task. In this case, the individual gatherings are run in order of their dependencies.

For servers that host Exchange, there are composite gatherings that are specific to the Exchange role hosted by the server.

You might also run individual gathering tasks if specific information is required that is not part of a regularly-run composite gathering. In this case, you can use this appendix to determine the dependencies for an individual gathering.

MessageStats automatically runs the Exchange Organization Structure gathering every night at midnight (local time). If you have made changes to your Exchange organization, you can select the organization in the console treeview, right-click and select the Regather Structure option. This option allows you to force a regathering to enumerate the Exchange servers that comprise the organization.

The following table lists the dependencies for the MessageStats Exchange gathering tasks. The table is organized as follows:

Composite Gathering Tasks
Role-Based Gatherings for Servers Running Exchange
Individual Gathering Tasks

MessageStats Gathering Tasks for Exchange

 
Table 1. MessageStats Exchange Gathering Task Dependencies.
Gathering Task Name
Part of Default?
Description
Dependent on
Composite Gathering Tasks

Default

N/A

A composite task that includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Internal Namespaces
•
Connectors
•
Mail Contacts
•
Mailbox Account Properties
•
Distribution Groups
•
Databases
•
Mailboxes
•
Mail-Enabled Objects
•
Server Properties
•
Tracking Logs
•
Virtual Servers
•
Server Uptime Performance Counter
•
Reporting Aggregation

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise the Default Gathering task are described later in this table.

NOTE: If you want public folder reports or content and analysis reports, you must create separate gatherings.

For public folder reports, create an Exchange Public Folders gathering.

For content and analysis reports, create an Exchange Mailbox Content and Attachments gathering or an Exchange Public Folder Content and Attachments gathering.

Complete Exchange Organization-Level

No

A composite task that initiates Exchange organization-level gatherings and includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Internal Namespaces
•
Connectors
•
Mail Contacts
•
Distribution Groups
•
Mail-Enabled Objects
•
Reporting Aggregation

Useful for distributed deployments in which the Exchange organization-level tasks must be run on a single Task Execution Server.

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Minimum Exchange Organization-Level

No

A composite task that initiates the minimum Exchange organization-level gatherings needed to find the main Exchange objects. Dependent server-level tasks need the Exchange objects to associate to their gathered information. This task includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Internal Namespaces
•
Connectors
•
Mail-Enabled Objects
•
Reporting Aggregation

Useful for large Exchange organizations from which the main Exchange organization-level information must first be gathered so that Exchange server-level gatherings can run earlier.

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Complete Exchange Server-Level

No

A composite task that initiates the main Exchange server-level gatherings. This task includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Databases
•
Mailboxes
•
Virtual Servers
•
Tracking Logs
•
Exchange Public Folder Instance Enumeration
•
Server Properties
•
Mailbox Account Properties
•
Server Uptime Performance Counter
•
Reporting Aggregation

Does not include the following Exchange server-level tasks:

•
Mailbox Security
•
Public Folder Security
•
Mailbox Content and Attachment
•
Public Folder Content and Attachment

Useful for distributed deployments in which the Exchange server-level tasks must be run against a collection of Exchange servers from a single Task Execution Server.

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Minimum Exchange Server-Level

No

A composite task that initiates a subset of Exchange server-level gatherings. This task includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Databases
•
Mailboxes
•
Tracking Logs
•
Mailbox Account Properties
•
Reporting Aggregation

Useful in deployments where the main focus is main mail-enabled object and Exchange Server usage for an Exchange organization.

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Complete Exchange

No

A composite task that initiates all the main Exchange-level gatherings. Includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Complete Exchange Organization-Level
•
Complete Exchange Server-Level

In addition, this gathering will include the organization-level public folder gathering tasks (the Exchange Public Folder Tree Structure Enumeration and the Exchange Public Folder Tree Structure Analysis).

Useful for smaller MessageStats deployments in which all of the main gatherings must be done in a single gathering.

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Role-Based Gatherings for Servers Running Exchange

Complete Exchange Server-Level Gathering for Mailbox Server

No

A composite task that initiates core Exchange server-level gatherings for Exchange servers that have the Mailbox role installed. Includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Databases
•
Mailboxes
•
Virtual Servers
•
Exchange Public Folder Instance Enumeration
•
Server Properties
•
Mailbox Account Properties
•
Server Uptime Performance Counter
•
Reporting Aggregation

Useful for distributed MessageStats deployments in which the Exchange server-level tasks are run against a collection of Exchange servers from a single Task Execution Server.

NOTE: Does not include the following Exchange server-level tasks:
•
Mailbox Security
•
Public Folder Security
•
Mailbox Content and Attachment
•
Public Folder Content and Attachment

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Complete Exchange Server-Level Gathering for Transport Server

No

A composite task that initiates core Exchange server-level gatherings for Exchange 2010 hub transport servers and for Exchange 2013/2016/2019 mailbox servers. Includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Tracking Logs
•
Virtual Servers
•
Server Properties
•
Server Uptime Performance Counter
•
Reporting Aggregation

Useful for distributed MessageStats deployments in which the Exchange server-level tasks are run against a collection of Exchange servers from a single Task Execution Server.

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Complete Exchange Server-Level Gathering for Edge Server

No

A composite task that initiates core Exchange server-level gatherings for Exchange Edge servers. Includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Tracking Logs
•
Reporting Aggregation

Useful for distributed MessageStats deployments in which the Exchange server-level tasks are run against a collection of Exchange servers from a single Task Execution Server.

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Complete Exchange Server-Level Gathering for Unified Messaging Server

No

A composite task that initiates core Exchange server-level gatherings for Exchange 2010 Unified Messaging Server and for Exchange 2013/2016/2019 Mailbox servers. Includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Virtual Servers
•
Server Properties
•
Server Uptime Performance Counter
•
Reporting Aggregation

Useful for distributed MessageStats deployments in which the Exchange server-level tasks are run against a collection of Exchange Servers from a single Task Execution Server.

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Complete Exchange Server-Level Gathering for Client Access Server

No

A composite task that initiates core Exchange server-level gatherings for Exchange 2010/2013 Client Access Servers (CAS) and Exchange 2016/2019 Mailbox servers. Includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Virtual Servers
•
Server Properties
•
Server Uptime Performance Counter
•
Reporting Aggregation

Useful for distributed MessageStats deployments in which the Exchange server-level tasks are run against a collection of Exchange servers from a single Task Execution Server.

The dependencies for the individual tasks that comprise this task are described subsequently in this table.

Individual Gathering Tasks

Exchange Connectors

Yes

Enumerates the foreign connectors on the source Exchange servers.

No dependencies.

Exchange Mail Contacts

Yes

Enumerates the mail contacts on the source Exchange servers.

The gathering also includes additional attributes such as custom attributes (01-15), and attributes such as Department, Telephone Number, and Postal Address. You can add these columns to the mail contact reports using the Insert Field option.

No dependencies.

Exchange Distribution Groups

Yes

Enumerates the Distribution Groups (Mail-enabled Groups) and collects basic attributes such as list name, type, and number of members, on the source Exchange servers.

The gathering also includes additional attributes such as custom attributes (01-15), and attributes such as Notes and Description. You can add these columns to the distribution group reports using the Insert Field option.

NOTE: To store and report on the detailed membership information for distribution groups, you must enable the Distribution Group Membership option on the Organization Properties dialog box. For more information, see Gathering Distribution Group Membership Information

No dependencies.

Exchange Public Folders

No

A composite task that includes the following gathering tasks:

•
Exchange Public Folder Tree Structure Enumeration
•
Exchange Public Folder Tree Structure Analysis
•
Exchange Public Folder Instance Enumeration

Analyzes the MAPI pubic folder tree structure using the server public folder (Exchange 2010) or analyzes the public folder tree structure on mailbox databases using PowerShell for Exchange 2013 and later.

The gathering includes attributes such as custom attributes, storage quota limits, and expiration information.

The tasks that comprise the Exchange Public Folders Task are affected by dependencies as described for each individual task subsequently in this table.

Exchange Public Folder Security

No

Collects public folder permissions and owner information for Exchange 2013 and Exchange 2016/2019 public folders. Required to populate the Public Folder Owners report for Exchange 2013 and later.

Successful Exchange Public Folder Instance Enumeration for the same server.

Exchange Databases

Yes

Gathers all Exchange mailbox and public folder databases, and server drives from an Exchange server.

Successful Organization Structure gatherings for the same Exchange organization.

Exchange Internal Namespaces

Yes

Enumerates the SMTP domains in the Recipient Policies.

No dependencies.

Exchange Mailboxes

Yes

Collects object information regarding Exchange mailboxes such as the mailbox size and any associated quotas.

Additional information, such as custom attributes, mailbox object GUID, and user details, is also collected and can be inserted into the mailbox reports using the Insert Field option.

Successful Exchange Databases gathering for the same server.

Exchange Mailbox Security

No

Collects the security information for all Exchange mailboxes. The gathering also collects the send-as and receive-as permissions from Active Directory user access control list (ACL).

Successful Exchange Mailboxes gathering on the same Exchange server.

Exchange Mail-Enabled Objects

Yes

Enumerates Exchange servers for all mail-enabled users, groups, and contacts.

No dependencies.

 

Exchange Organization Structure

No

Enumerates the servers that comprise an Exchange organization.

Runs automatically once a day (at midnight, local time).

No dependencies.

Exchange Public Folder Tree Structure Analysis

No

Processes the Exchange Public folder tree and aggregates replica object count information at the folder level.

Successful Exchange Public Folder Tree Structure Enumeration and Public Folder Instance Enumeration for the same organization.

Exchange Public Folder Tree Structure Enumeration

No

Collects the structure of the MAPI public folder tree on public folder databases for Exchange 2010. Collects the structure of the public folder tree on mailbox databases using PowerShell for Exchange 2013 and later.

Successful Organization Structure, Exchange Databases and Exchange Mailboxes for the same Exchange organization.

Exchange Virtual Servers

Yes

Enumerates the Virtual SMTP servers on the source Exchange server.

Successful Organization Structure gathering for the same Exchange organization.

Exchange Public Folder Instance Enumeration

No

Collects information about public folders and their content on the source server for Exchange 2010 and later.

Successful Public Folder Tree Structure Enumeration for the same organization.

Exchange Server Properties

Yes

Enumerates attributes of the Exchange server including some configuration elements like Circular Logging.

Successful Organization Structure gathering for the same Exchange organization.

Exchange Tracking Logs

Yes

Copies Exchange Tracking logs, processes those files, and optionally archives the tracking logs.

Successful Organization Structure, Exchange Mail-Enabled Objects, Mail Contacts, Distribution Groups, Databases, and Mailbox gatherings for the same Exchange organization.

Mailbox Account Properties

Yes

Resolves attributes of a given mailbox. These attributes include the determination of the account using the applicable SID, additional properties including type of account, and disabled status.

Successful Exchange Databases and Exchange Mailbox gatherings for the same Exchange organization.

Server Uptime Performance Counter

Yes

Gathers and stores the Perfmon counter “uptime” from each source server in the task.

Successful Organization Structure gathering for the same Exchange organization.

Exchange Mailbox Content and Attachments

No

Gathers and stores mailbox content and attachment information from the sources in the task.

This task also supports optional search criteria that are used to limit what information is stored in the database. For message content, criteria include subject keyword, size, number of recipients, date, and body keyword. For message attachments, criteria include filename keywords, file extensions, and size.

NOTE: Mailbox Content and Attachments gatherings can use significant storage space. Ensure the search criteria represents only the minimum gathering and storage requirements, and monitor your MessageStats Database size.

Successful completion of the Default Gathering task.

You must select specific mailbox databases or mailboxes on the server that you want to use for the gathering.

Exchange Public Folder Content and Attachments (Exchange 2010 only)

No

Gathers and stores public folder content and attachment information from the sources in the task.

You must select specific objects (including public folder databases and public folders) to establish search parameters; criteria for the content of public folders (including subject, size, number of recipients, date, and body); and criteria for filtering the attachment information to be retained (such as filenames, extensions, and size)

NOTE: Exchange Public Folder Content and Attachments gatherings can use significant storage space. Ensure that search criteria represents only the minimum gathering and storage requirements, and monitor your MessageStats Database size.

Successful completion of the Default Gathering task and Exchange Public Folders tasks.

You must select the public folders that you want to use for the gathering.

Reporting Aggregation

Yes

Aggregates Exchange traffic and object count data along a number of reporting dimensions. This task is appended to all other tasks, except Exchange Mailbox Content and Attachments and Exchange Public Folder Content and Attachments.

Successful completion of all other tasks, except Exchange Mailbox Content and Attachments and Exchange Public Folder Content and Attachments.

IIS Log Files/ OWA/ Windows Mobile

No

Collects data from the IIS log files (that are configured using the W3C Extended Log File Format).

NOTE: You can create an IIS Log Files gathering task only at the individual server level. You cannot create an IIS Log Files gathering task at the Exchange organization level.

Successful completion of the Exchange Mailboxes and the Mailbox Account Properties gathering tasks.

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