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Microsoft Exchange 2003 - Setup HTTPMon

Introduction to Exchange 2003 HTTPMon

HTTPMon has been around for a while. This pages explains how to setup and install HTTPMon. Get your copy from the Windows Server Resource Kit.

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Purpose of HTTPMon

HTTPMon is not a pure Exchange 2003 utility. In fact HTTPMon's main job is to target IIS's Web sites. The link is that Exchange uses IIS, particularly for OWA (Outlook Web Access). The most likely reason for installing HTTPMon is to troubleshoot problems with OWA, particularly with a network load balancing a cluster.

Components of HTTPMon

Real-time - A service which samples in real-time
Reporting Server - Gathers data from monitor servers and loads it into SQL Server
Client Monitor - Outputs to a set of Web pages that displays the results from the SQL Server database

Installation of HTTPMon

HTTPMon is setup from the \apps\httpmon folder of the Windows (not Exchange) Server Resource Kit. Next HTTPMon is a bit quirky, you run the Configuration Manager to configure the service. The information to add is the name of your Exchange Organization, and the OWA servers that you wish to monitor.

Confession time.

I have never got any joy from HTTPMon, perhaps I should have persevered, perhaps I should have got it 'hooked up' to SQL. Another reason I have not got the best out of HTTPMon is that I have not tested it in a NLB cluster.

If you have had great success with HTTPMon, write in and I will publish your information here. Meanwhile I put HTTPMon in that category yes I have seen it, but not for me. (Not every tool can be fantastic! I feel that I am allowed to dismiss one utility as mediocre)

Guy Recommends: The SolarWinds Exchange Monitor

Here is a free tool to monitor your Exchange Server. Download and install the utility, then inspect your mail queues, monitor the Exchange server's memory, confirm there is enough disk space and check the CPU utilization. This is the real deal - there is no catch. SolarWinds provides this fully-functioning product for free, as part of their commitment to supporting the network management community.

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Here is an example that Eddie sent in

Mission to configure HTTPMon to check connections in a NLB (Network Load Balancing Cluster).

Stage 1 - Setting up Monitoring with HTTPMon
1. Right-click Global Settings, and then click Properties.
2. Under Source Server Computername, and the name of your NLB_Cluster.
3. EnableSingleIP, click TRUE,

Stage 2 - Adding a Cluster to HTTPMon
1. Right-click Web Clusters, click Add cluster

2. click the Cluster tab. Under Cluster name, type NLB_Cluster.
3. In the Single IP Settings section, Configure Virtual IP: Virtual IP
Port: 2504
Password: password
Waterlevel: leave this field blank

Stage 3 Adding your Servers to the Cluster
1. On the Web Clusters dialog box, right-click NLB_Cluster, click Add Server..., and then click the Server tab.
2. For Server name, type YourServerName, and then under Accessed by, enter the following values, and then click OK:
IP Address: YourServerName's Dedicated Network card
Host Name: YourServerName's host name.
NOTE: The Host Name field relies DNS
3. Repeat for each server in your NLB_cluster.

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(CatTools)

CatTools is a free program for backing up configuration settings on hardware devices. Here is Guy's challenge. If you download CatTools, then it will not only take care of backups, but also it will show you something new about the hardware on you network. I could give you a money back guarantee - but CatTools is already free! Thus, I just make a techie to techie challenge, you will learn more about your network if you:

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Summary

HTTPMon may not be the most exiting tool in the Windows Resource Kit, however it may be your answer for troubleshooting OWA in a NLB cluster.

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Lots of tips, recommendations and troubleshooting advice. Problem solving section. Active Directory explained. Printer friendly pages.

SolarWinds Exchange Monitor

Here is a free tool to monitor your Exchange Server. Download the utility, then inspect your mail queues, monitor Exchange server's memory, confirm there is enough disk space and check the CPU utilization.