Microsoft Builds Licensing Engine into the Exchange HCW

Hi There,

I am critical when Microsoft bricks my servers with dodgy updates, but I also give them kudos when due. Happy to say that it is kudos time.

In its July 20, 2018 update of the HCW, Microsoft added a welcome feature. As you may already be aware, in a hybrid environment where there are no local mailboxes anymore and the on-prem Exchange server is there purely for administrative purposes, you're eligible for a free Hybrid license. If you didn't know then click here to find out more. It used to be a separate process, a separate tool, thus extra time and administration.

Not anymore. If you run the HCW on a new, unlicensesd server, the first thing you'll notice is a big red message telling you that you are running an Unlicensed Product, and the Next button is grayed out. Also, the Version information states that the server is a "Standard Evaluation Edition".

Don't freak out. If you look closer, you now get a link to license this server now:

Click the link and you'll be prompted to log on to your O365 tenant admin account:

The wizard then goes on to validate the environment, then obtain and install your free, brand spanking new Hybrid edition license:

Once the license is in, you are given access to the Next button, and the rest of the process is pretty much the same as before. As an added feature, you are also given a copy product key link which reveals not only the product key in clear text, but the entire PowerShell command that was used to install it also - it's there just as an FYI, the wizard did it all for you.

If you restart the HCW, you'll notice that Standard Evaluation version has been updated to Coexistence Edition:

Pretty cool, huh?

Till later,

Zoltan

.NET Framework 4.7.2 Breaks AAD Connect and Exchange

Hi There,

Time for a new post.

Microsoft made .Net Framework 4.7.2 available on Windows Update on 10 July 2018, just about a week ago. As an "Important / Recommended" update, it gets under the radar at many organizations where all "Important" updates are installed as default practice. .NET updates used to come as "Optional". This time, however, Microsoft deemed this update "Important" for whatever odd reason that escapes me.

Although Microsoft "strongly recommends" the installation of this update, reports have emerged that it doesn't play nicely with AAD Connect. and Exchange. Specifically, CPU utilization of the Microsoft.Identity.Health.AadSync.MonitoringAgent.Startup.exe process goes through the roof, grinding the server to a halt:

Secondly, Microsoft has not (yet) updated the Exchange server prerequisites to reflect support for .NET Framework 4.7.2 - see https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/plan-and-deploy/system-requirements:

Sure enough, the update bricks the Exchange OWA and ECP portals too. After you log on, you get a pristine, white browser window, devoid from anything:

I thought OK, let's rebuild some virtual directories. Well, for that I need EMS - as long as it works. It fell flat too:

In fact, looking at the IIS logs, it becomes clear that pretty much everything has gone south.

As recovery steps, first I removed .Net 4.7.2 as some sources indicate on the Internet. Unfortunately that didn't fix the AAD Connect high CPU problem - it returned after an hour or so. And it certainly didn't fix the Exchange problem.

As far as Exchange is concerned, I tried the following:

• Removed .Net 4.7.2
• Removed and reinstalled .Net 4.7.1
• Installed Exchange 2013 CU21 - the server was a tad outdated, on CU13

No joy. The screenshots above were taken after the recovery attempt.

My recommendation to you, dear reader, is to block the installation of .Net 4.7.2 for the time being. It is NOT an "important" update, no matter how much Microsoft would like you to believe.

The update can be blocked with a Registry setting, as documented at KB4342394.

I am in for rebuilding the Exchange server bricked by Microsoft's (not so) "important" .Net update. Thank you Mr. Microsoft, yet another .Net blunder to add to the list.

Happy patching!

Add-Endum

Microsoft has come to its senses and re-published .NET Framework 4.7.2 where it belongs, under "Optional" updates.