Outlook 'contacting the server information' message


After implementing pacfile solution for proxy, the encounter 'contacting the server information' message keep appearing when opening HTML in Outlook.
Internet browsing using Internet Explorer is very slow in loading too.

Manage to isolate it that it is due to constant DNS reverse lookup for each access and the root cause is a certain parameter in the pacfile.

Issue caused by: isInNet(host, "a.b.c.d") parameters.
article link
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The danger of IsInNet, isResolveable and dnsResolve forcing client DNS Lookups for every Query

 
Using isInNet(host, "a.b.c.d") can cause major chaos with your DNS infrastructure. This relatively innocuous looking function will force EVERY browser to perform a reverse DNS lookup on every unique hostname that it tries to contact that’s not already a simple IP address. This can rapidly have significant consequences, depending on how many workstations you have and how robust your DNS infrastructure is. This doesn’t necessary mean that you can’t use this function, but that you must do it carefully and understand the implications. See the "PAC File Tricks" section for one way that it can be used safely.
 
The function isResolvable and dnsResolve have very similar issues as the described above They forces a DNS query every time the PAC is parsed for every request. Be careful using this for the same reasons. If you have a problem that only one of these functions can solve, use it carefully. Ensure that you don’t do unrestricted lookups for all hosts. Use logic like "if the domain name is company.com and IsResolvable"
 
If you use these functions, unexpected behavior might result. For example, if you try to look up an invalid domain name it’s possible that there might be a 30+ second delay for the request as the client tries to resolve the name. It can also place a tremendous load on your company’s DNS infrastructure, so be careful of its capacity.
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Tools used for the troubleshooting: DNSQuerySniffer

After removing the IsInNet proxy pac parameters, you will realise that the number of DNS query is reduced on the DNSQuerySniffer tool.
And the message has stop and Internet Explorer browsing is loading faster too.

IBM ServeRAID LSI Mega Raid Manager on VMware

 The LSI Mega Raid Storage Manager is a program where you can monitor the health of your array, setup drives and change notification details. IBM has always provided a way for you to manage your array in Windows, Linux, Unix and many other operating systems. Currently configuring the LSI Mega Raid Storage Manager on VMware ESXi 5.1 is not very well documented by IBM. IBM has a retain tip with installation instructions but that tip is outdated. Following these steps below will get the LSI Mega Raid Manager running on an IBM ServeRAID adapter. Please note this guide should work the same for any non IBM server that is running VMware ESXi 5.1 and a LSI Mega Raid Controller.

Tested Configuration and Hardware:
Operating System: VMware ESXi
Version: 5.1
IBM ServeRAID M5110
IBM xSeries 3650 M4 Server

Step 1: Download the latest LSI SMIS for VMware
http://www.lsi.com/support/Pages/Download-Results.aspx?keyword=9265

  • LSI SMIS
 

Step 2: Enable SSH on VMware

From the VMware host console press F2 then go into troubleshooting.
VMware KB 2004746

Step 3: Extract the LSI download and upload the VIB file to /tmp
"LSI_bootbank_lsiprovider_500.04.V0.38-0006.vib"

Step 4: Install the VIB
# cd /usr/bin
# esxcli software vib install -v /tmp/LSI_bootbank_lsiprovider_500.04.V0.38-0006.vib --no-sig-check


Step 5: Reboot the VMware server

Step 6: Download and install LSI MegaRaid Manager. The download is on the same URL from step 2 or you can also download this from IBM. MIGR-5077712

Step 7: Add the VMware hostname to your DNS server. Setup an A record to point your VMware hostname to it's IP address.

Step 8: Install LSI Manager

Perform a basic install, no password is needed during the install.

Step 9: Configure LSI Manager

  • configure host

  • lsi mm 2

  • lsi mm 3

  • lsi mm 4

  • lsi mm 5


Login using the VMware server login details.

  • lsi mm 6

  • lsi mm 7


Note: IBM released retain tip H21152 but the steps currently does not work with ESXi 5.1

Conclusion:

Once you have followed these steps you will have full control over your IBM ServeRAID using LSI Mega Raid Controller on a VMware ESXi 5.1 operating system. You will be able to monitor the array from any Windows computer in your network.

Resources:

http://www.tinkertry.com/lsi92xx-health-under-esxi-51/

 H21152

MIGR-5077712

VMware KB 2004746

MS Exchange powershell handy commands

Source Link

Get mailboxes that have a space in the displayName
get-mailbox -filter "(displayname -like '* *')" | ft identity,database -wrap -auto

Find Exchange transport rules
Get-TransportRule | ft Name,Priority,{$_.Conditions | select Name,{$_.Words}},{$_.Actions | select Name,Rank,SclValue},Comments -wrap -auto 

Find Exchange 2007 mailbox servers in the local organisation
get-mailboxserver

Get mailbox statistics for mailbox servers with the specified name
get-mailboxserver | where {$_.Name -like 'server*'} | Get-MailboxStatistics | Sort-Object TotalItemSize -Descending | select-object -prop DisplayName,LastLogonTime,StorageLimitStatus,TotalItemSize,TotalDeletedItemSize,@{N="Size (MB)";E={$_.TotalItemSize.Value.ToMB()}},@{N="Deleted Item Size (MB)";E={$_.TotalDeletedItemSize.Value.ToMB()}},ItemCount,ServerName,StorageGroupName,DatabaseName.LegacyDN | export-csv -path c:\temp\MailboxStatistics.csv

Get mailbox database size limit/quota settings on malibox stores
get-mailboxdatabase | select-object -prop Name,ServerName,StorageGroup,ProhibitSendReceiveQuota,ProhibitSendQuota,IssueWarningQuota | ft -wrap -autosize

Find the number of mail-enabled contacts in the organisation
get-mailcontact -ResultSize 'unlimited' | measure

Export the IP addressed allowed to relay through the specified connector
$rc = Get-ReceiveConnector -id 'server01\connector01'; $rc.RemoteIPRanges | export-csv -path c:\temp\rc1.csv

Exchange 2007 global transport size limits
get-transportconfig | ft -prop MaxReceiveSize,MaxSendSize -wrap -autosize   

Exchange 2007 transport server sizelimits
get-transportserver | ft -prop Name,OriginatingServer,InternalDsnMaxMessageAttachSize,ExternalDsnMaxMessageAttachSize -wrap -autosize

Exchange 2007 send connector size limits
get-sendconnector | ft -prop Identity,AddressSpaces,MaxMessageSize -wrap -autosize

Exchange 2007 receive connector size limits
get-receiveconnector | ft -prop Identity,AddressSpaces,MaxMessageSize -wrap -autosize

Exchange 2007 mailbox limits other than unlimited
get-mailbox |where {$_.MaxSendSize -ne 'unlimited' -or $_.MaxReceiveSize -ne 'unlimited'} | ft -prop Identity,MaxSendSize,MaxReceiveSize -wrap -autosize

Get the storage group copy status (CCR/LCR/SCR) for mailbox stores 
get-mailboxserver | where {$_.Name -like 'server*'} | Get-StorageGroupCopyStatus  | ft -wrap -autosize

Get storage groups and their SCR stand-by machine
Get-StorageGroup  | ft -prop Name,Server,StandbyMachines -wrap -autosize

Get the storage group copy status (SCR) for the first target on all SGs
Get-StorageGroup | %{Get-StorageGroupCopyStatus -id $_.Identity -StandbyMachine $_.StandbyMachines[0].NodeName} | sort -prop LastReplayedLogTime | select -prop Identity,SummaryCopyStatus,ServiceDown,CopyQueueLength,ReplayQueueLength,LatestAvailableLogTime,LastCopyNotificationedLogTime,LastCopiedLogTime,LastInspectedLogTime,LastReplayedLogTime,LatestFullBackupTime | export-csv -path c:\temp\SCR_Status.csv

Get the storage group copy status (SCR) for the specified server/target
Get-StorageGroupCopyStatus -Server server01 -standbymachine server01 | ft -wrap -autosize

Find the backup status and whether VSS was used for the backup
Get-StorageGroup | %{Get-StorageGroupCopyStatus -id $_.Identity -StandbyMachine $_.StandbyMachines[0].NodeName} | sort -prop LatestFullBackupTime | select -prop Identity,SummaryCopyStatus,ServiceDown,LatestFullBackupTime,SnapshotBackup  | export-csv -path c:\temp\MailboxBackup_Status.csv

Change an Exchange 2007 mailbox type to equipment (or room)
Set-Mailbox MailboxName -Type Equipment

Add full access mailbox permissoins for an Exchange 2007 mailbox
Add-MailboxPermission -Id MailboxName -User:'DOMAIN\group' -AccessRights:FullAccess

Add send as rights to the AD security of a mail-enabled user
Add-ADPermission -Id MailboxName -User:'DOMAIN\group' -ExtendedRights:Send-As

Find mailboxes that are not standard user mailboxes (Room, Equipment)
get-mailbox | where {$_.RecipientTypeDetails -ne 'UserMailbox'} | fl -prop Name,RecipientTypeDetails

Remove mailbox permissions for the specified user
Remove-MailboxPermission MailboxUser -User DOMAIN\User -AccessRight FullAccess    

Find exchange mailbox statistics including per-user mailbox and DB limits 
. C:\data\scripts\PowerShell\Exchange\FindMailboxSizes.ps1 | out-file -file c:\temp\MailboxStats.txt -encoding ascii

Find the AutomateProcessing setting for a resource mailbox
Get-MailboxCalendarSettings  -id mailboxID

Modify a resource mailbox to automatically accept in-policy requests
Set-MailboxCalendarSettings -id mailboxID -AllBookInPolicy:$true 

Find the mailbox type of one or more mailboxes
get-mailbox -id mailboxes* | fl -prop IsResource,RecipientType,RecipientTypeDetails,ResourceType

Find the debug event logging levels set on an Exchange 2007 server
Get-EventLoglevel -server ExchangeServer01

Set the equipment mailbox to auto-accept and allow anyone to automatically book
Set-MailboxCalendarSettings -Identity "mailbox01" -AutomateProcessing AutoAccept -AllBookInPolicy $true

Turn on high logging for the booking attendant
Set-EventLogLevel "server01\MSExchangeMailboxAssistants\Resource Booking Attendant" -Level High

Find all resource mailboxes of type equipment
get-mailbox |where {$_.resourcetype -eq 'Equipment'}

Read Exchange 2007 event logs for the MSExchangeMailboxAssistants (resources)
get-eventlog -logname application -computer server01 -source msexchangemailboxassistants

Check Exchange Message Tracking Logs based on message ID
Get-MessageTrackingLog -MessageId 'FBE264977E286848971C4C15BDD7F5FE439245C5EF@mx.company.com.au' -Start "05/07/2011 00:00:00" -End "07/07/2011 06:00:00" -server server01

Check Exchange Message Tracking Logs based on mail subject
Get-MessageTrackingLog -MessageSubject "RE: Subject" -Start "06/07/2011 00:00:00" -End "07/07/2011 00:00:00" -server server01

Find Exchange server version, edition and roles
Get-ExchangeServer | sort | select-object -prop Name,Role,Edition,ServerRole,Site,ExchangeVersion,AdminDisplayVersion | export-csv -path c:\temp\ExchangeServers.csv

Find the mailbox sizes in Exchange 2007 looking at the filesystem
Get-MailboxDatabase | foreach-object {add-member -inputobject $_ -membertype noteproperty -name mailboxdbsizeinGB -value ([math]::Round(([int64](get-wmiobject cim_datafile -computername $_.server -filter ('name=''' + $_.edbfilepath.pathname.replace("\","\\") + '''')).filesize / 1GB),2)) -passthru} | Sort-Object mailboxdbsizeinGB -Descending | format-table identity,mailboxdbsizeinGB 

Update the allowed IP addresses for an Exchange 2007 receive connector
$connector = Get-ReceiveConnector -id 'server01\connector01'; $connector.RemoteIPRanges += "192.168.20.10-196.168.20.20"; Set-ReceiveConnector 'server01\connector01' -RemoteIPRanges $connector.RemoteIPRanges

Move a mailbox to a new database
Move-Mailbox -id user01 -targetdatabase 'server01\sg01\db01' 

View the original warning quota message
Get-SystemMessage -original | where {$_.Identity -like 'en\warn*'}

Add a new warning quota message
New-SystemMessage -QuotaMessageType WarningMailbox -Language EN -Text "Please reduce your mailbox size! Delete any items you don't need from your mailbox and empty your Deleted Items folder."

Hide a mailbox from the GAL
get-mailbox -id user01 | set-mailbox -HiddenFromAddressListsEnabled:$true

Remove SID History from a user
get-aduser -id 'user01' -prop sIDHistory | foreach {set-aduser $_ -remove @{sIDHistory=$_.sIDHistory.value}}

Remove SID history from one or more groups
Import-Module ActiveDirectory; $groups = get-content -path groups_sAMAccountName.txt; foreach ($group in $groups) {get-adgroup -id $group -prop sIDHistory | foreach {set-adgroup $_ -remove @{sIDHistory=$_.sIDHistory.value}}}

Remove multiple attributes from an AD account
$user = get-aduser -id 'user01' -prop HomeDrive,HomeDirectory,ProfilePath; set-aduser $user -HomeDrive $null -HomeDirectory $null -ProfilePath $null

Enumerate public folders
Get-PublicFolder -server server01 -Recurse | ft -wrap -autosize

Restore a deleted user account using AD recycle bin
$deletedaccount = get-adobject -filter 'samaccountname -eq "user01"' -IncludeDeletedObjects -properties *; $deletedaccount | restore-adobject

Reconnect a mailbox to an AD user account 
$user = Get-MailboxStatistics -server server01 | where {$_.displayName -eq 'User01, Test' -and $_.DisconnectDate -ne $null}; Connect-Mailbox -Identity $user.Identity -Database $user.database -User DOMAIN\user01

Group and list the mailboxes on each mailbox store 
get-mailboxdatabase -server server01 | get-mailbox | Group-Object -prop database | ft -wrap -autosize

Create new mail contacts from CSV input in Exchange 2007
$dataSet = Import-Csv -path contacts.csv; foreach ($contact in $dataset)  {  New-MailContact -ExternalEmailAddress $contact.targetaddress -Name $contact.cn -DisplayName $contact.displayName -FirstName $contact.givenName -LastName $contact.sn -OrganizationalUnit domain.local/Contacts -PrimarySmtpAddress $contact.mail}

Set the primary mail AD attribute of a newly created Exchange 2007 contact
$contacts = get-mailcontact -OrganizationalUnit 'domain.local/Contacts' | where {$_.Name -like 'test*'} ; foreach ($contact in $contacts) {  set-mailcontact -id $contact.identity -WindowsEmailAddress $contact.PrimarySmtpAddress;  $contact.HiddenFromAddressListsEnabled = $true; }

Create a new basic authenticated send connector in Exchange 2007
$pass = Read-Host "Password?" -assecurestring; $credential = new-object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential("domain\username",$pass); $cred = get-credential -Credential $credential; New-SendConnector -Name "send01" -AddressSpaces * -AuthenticationCredential $cred -SmartHostAuthMechanism BasicAuth -DNSRoutingEnabled:$false -SmartHosts smtp.local

Find users who have been delegated send on behalf of rights to a mailbox
$delegates = Get-Mailbox 'room01' | select-object GrantSendOnBehalfTo; $delegates.GrantSendOnBehalfTo.toarray()

Find NDR 5.1.4 duplicate mail addresses from Exchange application event logs 
get-eventlog -logname 'Application' -computer server01 -after "28/10/2011 8:00:00" | where {$_.eventID -eq 3029}

Replace the primary SMTP email address 
Get-Mailbox -id 'user01' | Set-mailbox -EmailAddressPolicyEnabled $false; Get-Mailbox -id 'user01' | Update-List -Property EmailAddresses -Add "SMTP:user01@domain.local" | Set-Mailbox; Get-Mailbox -id 'user01' | Set-mailbox -EmailAddressPolicyEnabled $true

Add a new secondary SMTP address 
Get-Mailbox -id 'user01' | Update-List -Property EmailAddresses -Add "smtp:user01@domain.local" | Set-Mailbox

Check Exchange 2007 queues
Get-Queue -server server01 | ft -wrap -autosize

Find the public delegates for a mailbox and then reset to a new list
Get-Mailbox -id user01 | select -expand GrantSendOnBehalfTo; Get-Mailbox -id user01 | Set-Mailbox -grantSendOnBehalfto User02,User03,User04

Export Exchange client connection statistics (online/cached mode, client ver) 
$dateshort = [DateTime]::Now.ToString("yyyyMMddhhmmss"); get-mailboxserver | get-logonstatistics | select * | export-csv -path ("c:\temp\ExchangeLogonStats_" + $dateshort  + ".csv"); write-host ("c:\temp\ExchangeLogonStats_" + $dateshort  + ".csv")

Get a mailbox from the domain sAMAccountName 
get-mailbox -id 'domain\username' | fl *

Change the sAMAccountName of a mailbox-enabled user account
get-mailbox -id 'domain\user001' | set-mailbox -samaccountname user01

Change the Name/CN/DN of a mailbox-enabled user account
get-mailbox -id 'domain\user' | set-mailbox -DisplayName "User, Test" -Name "User, Test"

Change the alias of a mailbox object
get-mailbox -id 'domain\user' | set-mailbox -alias user01

Check if a mailbox exists
if (get-mailbox -id user01 -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) {write-host "test"}

Find the oldest and newest dates of mailbox folders
get-mailboxfolderstatistics -id user01 -FolderScope Inbox -IncludeOldestAndNewestItems

Find Exchange logs for messages that failed to deliver
Get-MessageTrackingLog  -Start "21/12/2011 6:00:00" -server server01 | where {$_.eventId -eq 'Fail'} | ft * -wrap -autosize

Find messages where delivery failed 
Get-MessageTrackingLog -EventId FAIL -Start "20/12/2011 6:00:00" -server server01 | ft TimeStamp,Source,EventID,Recipients,Sender,RecipientStatus -wrap -autosize 

See which mailboxes a user has direct permissions to access
get-mailbox -OrganizationalUnit 'domain.local/Mailboxes/Shared' | get-mailboxpermission | where {$_.user -like 'domain\user01'}

Find mailboxes that have a specified ACE set
get-mailbox -OrganizationalUnit 'domain.local/Mailboxes/Shared' | get-adpermission | where {$_.AccessRights -contains 'WriteProperty' -and $_.Properties -like 'Personal-Information'} | ft -wrap -autosize

Find active sync utilisation for mailboxes
Get-Mailbox -ResultSize:Unlimited |ForEach {Get-ActiveSyncDeviceStatistics -Mailbox:$_.Identity} |ft identity,devicemodel,LastSuccessSync,LastPolicyUpdateTime,DeviceType,DeviceID,DeviceUserAgent,LastPingHeartbeat,DeviceFriendlyName,DeviceOS,DeviceIMEI,DevicePhoneNumber

Find SMTP mail delivery failures
foreach ($server in Get-TransportServer) {Get-MessageTrackingLog -EventId FAIL -Start "01/01/2012 6:00:00" -server $server.name | where {$_.recipients -like '*@*' -and $_.recipients -notlike '*@local.com' -and $_.recipients -notlike 'IMCEAEX*'} | ft EventId,Source,Sender,Recipients -wrap -autosize}

Find the owner of one or more mailboxes
get-mailbox -id user01 | get-adpermission -owner | ft -wrap -autosize

Get the Exchange 2007 organisation config
Get-OrganizationConfig

Find the Exchange 2007 accepted domains (authoritative and relay)
Get-AcceptedDomain

Find logs for distribution list expansion
foreach ($server in Get-TransportServer) {Get-MessageTrackingLog  -EventId EXPAND -Start "29/02/2012 17:28:00" -server $server.name | ft Timestamp,Sender,RelatedRecipientAddress,Recipients,RecipientStatus -wrap -autosize}

Find logs for e-mail from a specific address
foreach ($server in Get-TransportServer) {Get-MessageTrackingLog  -Sender "user01@external.com"  -Start "29/02/2012 17:28:00" -server $server.name | ft Timestamp,Recipients,RecipientStatus,Sender -wrap -autosize}

Find logs for failed messages
foreach ($server in Get-TransportServer) {Get-MessageTrackingLog  -EventId FAIL -Start "29/02/2012 17:28:00" -server $server.name | ft Timestamp,Recipients,RecipientStatus,Sender -wrap -autosize}

Find logs for messages from the last minute
foreach ($server in Get-TransportServer) {Get-MessageTrackingLog -start (Get-Date).AddMinutes(-1)  -server $server.name | ft Timestamp,Sender,RelatedRecipientAddress,Recipients,RecipientStatus -wrap -autosize}

Find mail attributes for a public folder
get-mailpublicfolder -id "\Folder01\SubFolder01" | fl *

Find Exchange 2007 Web Services
Get-WebServicesVirtualDirectory | fl *

Find Exchange Message Tracking messages from a particular client IP
foreach ($server in Get-TransportServer) {Get-MessageTrackingLog -resultsize unlimited -start (Get-Date).AddMinutes(-15) -server $server.name | where {$_.ClientIp -eq '192.168.1.10'} | ft * -wrap -autosize}   

Report explicit OU security for OUs in the domain
$ous = dsquery ou "dc=domain,dc=local" -limit 0; $permissions = foreach ($ou in $ous) {Get-ADPermission -id $ou.replace('"','') | where {$_.IsInherited -eq $False -and $_.User -like 'DOMAIN\*'}}; $permissions | select Identity,User,Deny,{$_.ChildObjectTypes},{$_.AccessRights},{$_.Properties},{$_.InheritedObjectType} | export-csv -path c:\temp\OU_Permission_20120309.csv

Find OWA Internal/External URL configuration
Get-OwaVirtualDirectory | where {$_.name -eq 'owa (Default Web Site)'} | ft Server,Name,InternalUrl,ExternalUrl -wrap -autosize 

Find transport server message tracking configuraiton 
Get-TransportServer | fl Name,messagetra*

List the available event logs from a remote server
Get-EventLog -computer server01 -list

List the Exchange 2007 diagnostic logging configuration
Get-EventLogLevel -server server01 | ft -wrap -autosize

Enable connectivity logging for Exchange 2007 Edge/Hub transport servers
get-TransportServer -id server01 | set-transportserver -ConnectivityLogEnabled:$true

View messages in the queue
get-queue -server server01 | get-message -IncludeRecipientInfo | fl *

Find recipients with a filter based on department
get-recipient -filter '((Department -eq "DEPT") -and (Alias -ne $null))'

Find users that do not have the specified primary SMTP address domain
get-recipient -filter '(ObjectClass -eq "User")' -resultsize:unlimited | where {$_.PrimarySmtpAddress -notlike "*@domain.local"} | ft Identity,PrimarySmtpAddress -wrap -autosize

Export to CSV users that don't have the specified primary SMTP domain
get-recipient -filter '(ObjectClass -eq "User")' -resultsize:unlimited | where {$_.PrimarySmtpAddress -notlike "*@domain.local"} | select Identity,PrimarySmtpAddress,Department | export-csv -path c:\temp\PrimarySMTP.csv

Expand a nested distribution group, counting all mail recipients
. C:\data\scripts\PowerShell\Exchange\ExpandDL.ps1 "CN=DL01,OU=Groups,dc=domain,dc=local"       

Find the user and SID on mailbox permissions (useful when sidhistory is used)
get-mailboxpermission -id user01 | ft User,{$_.user.securityidentifier} -wrap -auto

Find mailbox enabled users with a first/last name using ActiveDirectory
$users = get-aduser -filter {givenName -like '*' -and sn -like '*' -and mailnickname -like '*'}

Find user mailbox recipients that have a first and last name set
$mailboxes = get-recipient -resultsize unlimited -filter "(firstName -like '*' -and lastname -like '*' -and Alias -like '*' -and RecipientType -eq 'UserMailbox')"; foreach ($mailbox in $mailboxes) {  $firstName = $mailbox.firstname.replace(" ", "");   $lastName = $mailbox.lastname.replace(" ", "");   $primary = $mailbox.EmailAddresses | where {$_.IsPrimaryAddress -eq $true -and $_.PrefixString -eq "SMTP"} ;   $mailSplit =  $primary.SmtpAddress.split(".@");   if ($firstName -ne $mailSplit[0] -or $lastName -ne $mailSplit[1]) {    Write-Host $primary.SmtpAddress;   }}

Find mail recipients that don't have a first or last name (shared mailboxes)
$mailboxes = get-recipient -resultsize unlimited -filter {firstName -eq $null -and lastname -eq $null -and Alias -like '*' -and RecipientType -eq 'UserMailbox'}

Find mailboxes with the specified domain name
get-mailbox -filter {emailaddresses -like '*@domain.local'}

Find mailboxes with the specified domain name as their primary address
get-mailbox -filter {emailaddresses -like '*@domain.local'} | get-mailbox | where {$_.primarysmtpaddress -like '*@domain.local'}

Find distribution lists that can be emailed externally
$dls = get-distributiongroup -resultsize unlimited -filter {Alias -ne $null -and RequireAllSendersAreAuthenticated -eq $true}

Update the accept from for a DL with a list of users
$users = "User01, Test", "User02, Test"; foreach ($user in $users) {$user = get-mailbox -id $user; if ($user) {Get-DistributionGroup -id "DL01" | Update-List -Property AcceptMessagesOnlyFrom -Add $user.distinguishedName | Set-DistributionGroup }}

Update a distribution list to allow sending only from another DL
set-distributiongroup -id dl01 -AcceptMessagesOnlyFromDLMembers dl02

Find the user accounts for mailbox recipients with first and last name 
$mail = get-user -filter {(FirstName -ne $null -and LastName -ne $null)} -RecipientTypeDetails UserMailbox,LinkedMailbox -resultsize unlimited -OrganizationalUnit "OU=Mailboxes,dc=domain,dc=local" | select FirstName,LastName,windowsemailaddress

Find users that don't conform to first.last@ email addresses
$mail = get-user -filter {(FirstName -ne $null -and LastName -ne $null)} -RecipientTypeDetails UserMailbox,LinkedMailbox -resultsize unlimited -OrganizationalUnit "OU=Mailboxes,dc=domain,dc=local" | select FirstName,LastName,windowsemailaddress

Create a new transport rule setting SCL based on subject or body text
$condition = Get-TransportRulePredicate SubjectOrBodyContains; $condition.words = "SCL=9"; $action = Get-TransportRuleAction SetSCL; $action.sclvalue = 9; New-TransportRule -name "Filter01" -Condition $condition  -Action $action

Find mailboxes configured to forward and report details
$outputFile = "c:\temp\EmailForward_" + ([DateTime]::Now.ToString("yyyyMMddhhmmss")) + ".csv"; get-mailbox -filter {forwardingaddress -ne $null} | sort -prop whenChanged -descending | select whenChanged,SamAccountName,Identity,DeliverToMailboxAndForward,ForwardingAddress, @{N='ForwarderPrimarySMTPAddress';E={$recipient = get-recipient -id $_.ForwardingAddress; if ($recipient.recipienttype -eq 'MailContact') {write-output $recipient.externalemailaddress.tostring().replace("SMTP:","")} else {write-output $recipient.primarysmtpaddress}}},@{N='RecipientType';E={$recipient = get-recipient -id $_.ForwardingAddress; write-output $recipient.recipienttype.tostring()}} | export-csv -path $outputFile; write-host $outputFile

Turn on send connector verbose logging
get-sendconnector -id 'SendConnect01' | set-sendconnector -ProtocolLogginglevel verbose

Find NDR 5.4.6 routing loops in the last day from all transport servers
foreach ($server in Get-TransportServer) {Get-MessageTrackingLog -resultsize unlimited -EventId FAIL -Start (Get-Date).AddDays(-1) -server $server.name | where {$_.RecipientStatus -like '*5.4.6*'} | ft Timestamp,Recipients,RecipientStatus,Sender -wrap -autosize}

Find email addresses that aren't using first.last
foreach ($user in $mail) { if (!($user.windowsemailaddress.tostring().tolower().contains($user.firstname.tolower().replace(' ', '') + '.' + $user.lastName.tolower().replace(' ', '') + '@'))) { write-host $user.windowsemailaddress} }

Export a mailbox to PST
export-mailbox -id user01 -PSTFolderPath c:\temp\user01.pst

Find the Exchange 2003 global restrictions in AD for envelope recipients
Get-ADObject -id "CN=Message Delivery,CN=Global Settings,CN=ORG,CN=Microsoft Exchange,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,dc=domain,dc=local" -prop msExchRecipLimit

Find the Exchange 2007/2010 global restrictions in AD for envelope recipients
Get-ADObject -id "CN=Transport Settings,CN=ORG,CN=Microsoft Exchange,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,dc=domain,dc=local" -prop msExchRecipLimit

Find the Exchange 2007 transport settings for max enveople recipients
Get-TransportConfig | fl MaxRecipientEnvelopeLimit

Update managedBy for a distribution group
get-distributiongroup -id DL01 | Set-DistributionGroup -ManagedBy "CN=user01,OU=Mailboxes,dc=domain,dc=local"

Get the offline address book update schedule 
$oab = Get-OfflineAddressBook; $oab.schedule | ft -wrap -auto

Find the offline address book server, PF database and web distribution point
Get-OfflineAddressBook | fl Server,PublicFolderDatabase,VirtualDirectories

Find the Offline Address Book virtual directory
Get-OabVirtualDirectory | ft -wrap -auto

Find the custom resource schema configuration for custom resource properties
Get-ResourceConfig

Gather public folder statistics
$pfstats = Get-PublicFolderStatistics -server server01

Start the Exchange Management Shell from a standard powershell instance
add-pssnapin  Microsoft.Exchange.Management.PowerShell.Admin; . "C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\bin\Exchange.ps1"

Send an SMTP e-mail with PowerShell 2.0 or later
send-mailmessage -from $sendfrom -to $sendto -subject $subject -body $body -BodyAsHtml -smtpServer $smtpserver

Add an availability address space to access local public folder schedule+ FB
Add-AvailabilityAddressSpace -ForestName remote.address.space -AccessMethod PublicFolder

Query free/busy schedule+ public folder replica information
get-publicfolder -Identity "\NON_IPM_SUBTREE\SCHEDULE+ FREE BUSY"  -Recurse | ft Name,OriginatingServer,Replicas -wrap -auto

Query free/busy schedule+ public folder information on Exchange 2007/2010
get-publicfolder -Identity "\NON_IPM_SUBTREE\SCHEDULE+ FREE BUSY"  -Recurse | Get-PublicFolderItemStatistics | ft PublicFolderName,Subject -wrap -auto

Show the e-mail addresses for the specified user in list format
((Get-Mailbox user01).EmailAddresses)

Add a secondary e-mail address in Exchange 2010 to a mailbox user
Set-Mailbox user01 -EmailAddresses (((Get-Mailbox user01).EmailAddresses)+="smtp:user01@test.com")

Add a secondary e-mail address in Exchange 2010 to a MEU
Set-MailUser testuser01 -EmailAddresses (((Get-MaiLUser testuser01).EmailAddresses)+="smtp:testuser01@new.domain.com") -whatif

Update the targetAddress attribute for an ADSI object
$user = [adsi]"LDAP://CN=testuser01,OU=Migrated,DC=domain,DC=local"; $user.put("targetAddress","smtp:testuser01.User@new.domain.com")

List the client-side public folder permissions for all public folders
$pfperms = Get-PublicFolder -recurse | Get-PublicFolderClientPermission

Get the report from a Exchange 2010 new-moverequest operation
$MoveReport = (Get-MailboxStatistics -Identity user01 -IncludeMoveReport).MoveHistory

Add to the managedBy property of a distribution list
set-distributiongroup -id $group -managedby (((get-distributiongroup -id $group).managedby) += $user.identity.distinguishedName)

Find the current management roles that have distribution in the name
Get-ManagementRoleAssignment | where {$_.name -like '*recipient*'} -warningaction silentlycontinue | ft -wrap -auto

Find CAS array information for an Exchange 2010 installation
get-clientaccessarray

Find delegate access to a mailbox with Exchange 2010 SP1
adfind -b "DC=domain,DC=local" -f "(&(objectClass=User)(objectCategory=Person)(msExchDelegateListLink=*))" -h dc01.domain.local samaccountname msExchDelegateListLink

Find delegate access to a mailbox with Exchange 2010 SP1 through backlink
adfind -b "DC=domain,DC=local" -f "(&(objectClass=User)(objectCategory=Person)(MsExchDelegateListBL=*))" -h dc01.domain.local samaccountname MsExchDelegateListBL

Convert legacy global distribution groups to universal
Get-Group -ResultSize Unlimited -RecipientTypeDetails NonUniversalGroup -OrganizationalUnit "OU=Distribution Lists,OU=Resources,DC=domain,DC=local" | Where-Object {$_.GroupType -match 'global'} | Set-Group -Universal

Mail-enable legacy global DLs that have been converted to universal
Get-Group -ResultSize Unlimited -RecipientTypeDetails UniversalDistributionGroup -OrganizationalUnit "OU=Distribution Lists,OU=Resources,DC=domain,DC=local"  | enable-distributiongroup

Change group scope for non-universal groups to universal
Get-DistributionGroup -ResultSize Unlimited -RecipientTypeDetails MailNonUniversalGroup | Set-Group -Universal

Upgrade Exchange 2010 legacy groups
Get-DistributionGroup -ResultSize Unlimited | Set-DistributionGroup -ForceUpgrade

Extract all properties of one or more users and save to CSV
get-aduser -ldapfilter "(&(objectClass=User)(objectCategory=Person)(samaccountname=*.exchtest*))" -prop * | export-csv -path c:\temp\TestUsers.csv

Create a new display name with surname in UPPER and first in Title case
$newName = $user.LastName.toUpper() + ' ' + (Get-Culture).textinfo.totitlecase($user.FirstName)

Start a remote powershell session to an exchange 2010 namespace
$Session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri http://cas01.domain.local/PowerShell/ -Authentication Kerberos;   Import-PSSession $Session

Start a remote powershell session to an exchange 2010 namespace using prefix
$Session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri http://cas01.domain.local/PowerShell/ -Authentication Kerberos;   Import-PSSession $Session -prefix ResForest

Bitwise OR to whether whether grouptype is distribution or security
if (14 -bor 2147483648 -eq 14) {write-output "Distribution} else {write-output "Security"}

Find mailbox folder permissions in Exchange 2010
$mailbox = get-mailbox -id user01; get-mailboxfolderpermission -id ($mailbox.primarysmtpaddress.tostring() + ":\Calendar")

Find the Exchange 2010 autodiscover URL (then stored in SCP)
Get-ClientAccessServer | fl *autodisc*      

Find Exchange 2010 RBAC management roles
Get-ManagementRole -id 'Distribution Groups' | fl *

Find Exchange 2010 RBAC management role assignments
Get-ManagementRoleAssignment |where {$_.role -eq 'Distribution Groups'} | ft -wrap -auto

Select the value of a property as an array of strings rather noteproperty
$members = get-adgroup "CN=group,DC=domain,DC=local" -server $dc | get-adgroupmember -server $dc | %{write-output $_.SamAccountName.ToString()}

Convert a group from security to distribution
get-adgroup -id migtestdl3 | set-adgroup -GroupCategory 0

Find recipient info from multiple forests and group by primary SMTP domain
$recipients = get-recipient -domaincontroller dc01.domain.local -OrganizationalUnit "OU=People,DC=domain,DC=local" -filter {(firstName -ne $null -and LastName -ne $null) -and (RecipientType -eq 'UserMailbox')} -resultsize unlimited ; $recipients += get-recipient  -domaincontroller targetdc.target.domain -OrganizationalUnit "OU=People,DC=target,DC=domain" -filter {(firstName -ne $null -and LastName -ne $null) -and (RecipientType -eq 'UserMailbox')} -resultsize unlimited ; $recipients | select @{N='EmailDomain';e={$_.primarysmtpAddress.tostring().split("@")[1]}} | group-object -prop EmailDomain | sort -prop Count | ft -wrap -auto

Find mailboxes from multiple forest and info on e-mail domain and islinked
$mailboxes = get-recipient -domaincontroller dc01.domain.local -OrganizationalUnit "OU=People,DC=domain,DC=local" -filter {(firstName -ne $null -and LastName -ne $null) -and (RecipientType -eq 'UserMailbox')} -resultsize unlimited  | get-mailbox -domaincontroller dc01.domain.local; $mailboxes += get-recipient  -domaincontroller dc01.taret.domain -OrganizationalUnit "OU=People,DC=target,DC=domain" -filter {(firstName -ne $null -and LastName -ne $null) -and (RecipientType -eq 'UserMailbox')} -resultsize unlimited | get-mailbox -domaincontroller dc01.target.domain; $mailboxes | select OriginatingServer,@{N='EmailDomain';e={$_.primarysmtpAddress.tostring().split("@")[1]}},IsLinked | group-object -prop OriginatingServer,EmailDomain,IsLinked | sort -prop Count | ft Count,Name -wrap -auto  

Find mailboxes with an ActiveSync device partnership
get-casmailbox -resultsize unlimited  | where {$_.HasActiveSyncDevicePartnership -eq 'true'}

Find the preferred domain controllers for the current Exchange 2010 session
Get-ADServerSettings | fl *

Set domain controller configuration for an exchange server
Set-ExchangeServer -StaticConfigDomainController dc01 StaticDomainControllers dc01,dc02 -StaticExcludedDomainControllers dc03 -StaticGlobalCatalogs gc01

Link an Exchange 2010 mailbox to a cross-forest security principal
get-mailbox user01 | set-mailbox -LinkedMasterAccount domain\user01 -linkeddomaincontroller dc01.domain.local

Get Exchange 2010 IMAP settings
Get-IMAPSettings -Server cas01

Disable policy and update the primary SMTP address of a 2010 mailbox 
get-mailbox -id "CN=user01,OU=People,DC=domain,DC=local" | set-mailbox -EmailAddressPolicyEnabled $false -PrimarySmtpAddress user01@domain.local

Find the server generating the Offline Address Book
Get-OfflineAddressBook | ft server,guid,AddressLists -wrap -auto (files stored in C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V14\ExchangeOAB\)

Prepare an Exchange 2010 cross-forest move (create MEU and merge contact)
.\Prepare-MoveRequest.ps1 -Identity $username -RemoteForestCredential $cred -RemoteForestDomainController dc01.domain.local -LinkedMailUser -MailboxDeliveryDomain domain.local -TargetMailUserOU "OU=Resource Forest Accounts,DC=domain,DC=local" -UseLocalObject

Initiate an Exchange  2010 cross-forest move request
New-MoveRequest -Identity $username -RemoteLegacy -RemoteGlobalCatalog dc01.domain.local -TargetDatabase 'DB01' -RemoteCredential $cred -TargetDeliveryDomain 'domain.local' ?Verbose

Get an Exchange 2010 move request report
$moverequest = Get-MoveRequestStatistics -id user01 -IncludeReport; $moverequest.report

Get all the mailbox users in an OU and set a user property
get-mailbox -org "OU=Resource Forest Accounts,DC=domain,DC=local" | set-user -company 'Company01'

Check Exchange 2010 CAS RPC Client Access stats for online mode
$matches = select-string -pattern "2013-03" -simple -path "\\cas01\c$\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V14\Logging\RPC Client Access\RCA_201303*"; $results = foreach ($match in $matches) {$line = $match.line;   write-output $line }; $results | out-file -file c:\temp\rpcusage.txt -encoding ascii; $rpc = import-csv -path c:\temp\rpcusage.txt -header date-time,session-id,seq-number,client-name,organization-info,client-software,client-software-version,client-mode,client-ip,server-ip,protocol,application-id,operation,rpc-status,processing-time,operation-specific,failures; $classic = $rpc | where {$_.'client-mode' -eq 'Classic' -and $_.'client-software' -eq 'outlook.exe'}; $classic | select client-name | group-object -prop client-name | ft -wrap -auto Count,Name

Error adding datastores to VMWARE ESXi

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Error Message:
I was unable to add any of the local disks to my VMWARE ESXi host as VMFS datastores as I got the error “HostDatastoreSystem.QueryVmfsDatastoreCreateOptions” for object ‘ha-datastoresystem’ on ESXi….” as shown below;









Solution:
There are various useful suggestions in the Eversity comments for dealing with GPT partitions but they are quite long winded. The quickest solution (as suggested by fdisk) was to use partedUtil.
You need to run the following command for each disk that you’re having issues with (this overwrites the partition table with a standard msdos one which VMware can work with);
NOTE: This will ERASE ALL DATA on the disk in question so be careful to select the right disks!

#partedUtil mklabel /dev/disks/ msdos

To get the disk id: 
ls /dev/disks/