
Last week we had a very exiting event! The release of the beta version of HMC version 4.0. This beta release of the Hosted Messaging and Collaboration binaries contains Exchange 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. Given the fact that most of the infrastructure components evolved and as well as adding these new services MPS has many changes. Another nice feature is the new Sample Control Panel that is included.
So we locked ourselves up in one of our class rooms in Veenendaal and started building the platform. To spare hardware we use Microsoft Virtual Server (x64!).
Were are we after two days?
– Build the infrastructure
– Build Provisioning
– Build WSS 3.0
Yes, it’s working so far ๐
HMC 4.0 does not use the reference network architecture from HMC 3.x (and previous WBH versions). Instead it uses Zones to split and isolate roles. We build the following roles/machines and zones:
AD01 – Zone 3
MPSSQL01 – Zone 3 (Combined MPS and SQL 2005)
EXMBX01 – Zone 3 (Exchange 2007 Mailbox server)
DNS01 – Zone 2
PROV01 – Zone 2 (MPS Web UI)
COLLAB01 – Zone 2 (WSS3)
EXCH01 – Zone 2 (Exchange 2007 CAS & HUB)
EXEDGE01 – Zone 1 (Exchange 2007 Edge server)
So enough said let me show some off the screens I made this morning:
The new SampleUI splash screen
Logged on now, let’s create a new WSS 3.0 Site for this organization.
Just fill the appropriate fields as they reflect your setup cross your fingers and hit the Submit button very gently.
Let’s just say that this looks promisingly!!
The solid proof! I rest my case, bin there, done that, got the T-shirt ๐
Today we gone start with the Exchange part. As we call it the fun part. Keep you guys posted here.
8 comments
It looks very cool, but They have to fix a lot of things before final…
EricD
Yes sure, and that’s were we come in ๐
edwardv
Eric, what “things” are you referring to? Could the new control panel be used for production?
Morten
Hi Morten, this build we use must be considered Beta at best. There are issues, yes, sure but nothing that can’t be fixed and will be fixed in the version that will be released by the MS team. I think the new CP could be used in production depending what services you want to offer.
edwardv
Hi Morten,
If I am correct, the “things” I am referriing to, are put in a document and sent to Microsoft for review, so I am certian that a lot will be fixed, if not all…
EricD
Version 4.0 RTW expected to be 4/16/2007
juanm
Thank you for providing us with a taste of what’s to come and excellent feedback ๐
We are very anxious to get started with our deployment of HMC 4.0,
http://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/solutions/hostedmessaging.mspx
I just wish the documentation would be completed so that we can start preparing ๐
Morten
Hi Ed,
I just tried to configure the HMC4.0 by following the help doc provided by MS. Only I skipped is Sharepoint part coz i want to test the exchange part only.
Everything installed smoothly, i installed sampleprovisioningUI too but when try to browse the sampleprovisioningUI i am getting some error!! Take a look if you can help me!! I didnt any extra chages apart from the help guide!!
Server Error in ‘/SampleProvisioningUI’ Application.
——————————————————————————–
Configuration Error
Description: An error occurred during the processing of a configuration file required to service this request. Please review the specific error details below and modify your configuration file appropriately.
Error is as follows; It is pointing to sharepoint site in the web.config file. However i dont have any such site installed.
How can i get rid of this?? Otherwise I have to try to install a sharepoint site too ๐
Hope you can help me!!
Best Regards,
Brajesh
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Parser Error Message: Unrecognized configuration section ‘connectionStrings’
Source Error:
Line 109:
Line 110:
Line 111:
Line 112:
Line 113: