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cmptekinc · 03-12-2009, 03:58 PM

Hey guys,

We have BES 3.6 running on Windows 2000 SP4, it was fine for a few years...
Recently we installed MS updates and not too long after that our BES crapped out. In BES management there is a big red X on the server and the only option we have is Remove Server. There are no users on the right hand side. User still able to send and receive e-mail messages from their BB devices though. I looked for the logs and it does show that messages are being either sent and received, however like I said there is nothing in BES Management.
We have either 9 or 10 users, recently I had to add anotehr user, but I added him through AT&T BIS.
The best thing that we can do is upgrade to 4.1 or hold out until BES 5 is out and upgrade then. Any ideas on how to deal with this issue ?
Could this be just a corrupted local BESAdmin account ?
I was sort of considering getting BPS, but with all these roumors that BPS may be discontinued, i think I will shell out for the BES upgrade instead....
Anyway, any suggestions are really appreciated.

Jadey · 03-12-2009, 04:06 PM

Wow, OK. Firstly, I'd upgrade to 4.x first. On 3.6 you really are very, very behind. 3.6 to 5 will NOT be a pretty upgrade.

Is your BES Manager connecting to the DB OK? Is yours MSDE or remote SQL?

There is a limit to my assistance I'm afraid, as I run a Domino shop. You mentioned BESAdmin, which implies exchange...

Jadey · 03-12-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmptekinc

We have either 9 or 10 users, recently I had to add another user, but I added him through AT&T BIS.

That user must have a BIS only set-up then? I don't think you can add to BES via BIS!

Jadey · 03-12-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadey

Wow, OK. Firstly, I'd upgrade to 4.x first. On 3.6 you really are very, very behind. 3.6 to 5 will NOT be a pretty upgrade.

Actually, you don't sound like you have many users. Is an upgrade necessary? Or would you consider just building a new BES and moving users across to it?

knottyrope · 03-12-2009, 04:14 PM

Have you rebooted the BES?

Upgrade to 4.1 is like 999.00 USD and worth it.

BlackBerry - BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Microsoft Exchange

cmptekinc · 03-12-2009, 04:16 PM

Jadey:
I think I will end up buying a new box as the old server is failry old as well as the BES 3.6
I'm not sure if it is MSDE or SQL, I'm guessing that it is MSDE due to the low numeber of users. Also, I don't know how to verify whether it is MSDE or SQL, but willing to bet it is MSDE since it would have been probably easier to setup...

I`d like to get an entire new server, but I'm new to Blackberry and I have no idea on how to transfer users from the old 3.6 onto the new 4.1, considering that I can't even see users in the BB management. Logically, I would think, I will end up adding all of the users at once and then killing the 3.6... don't know if that makes sense...

knottyrope · 03-12-2009, 04:18 PM

More to chew on:

You have a full BES already so 999 upgrade makes sense since full BES would cost 3000.00 for 1 users.

Then you can add user cals for about 429.00 so 1429.00 total

With BES Pro you would have to spend almost the same amount to start fresh and lose the Full BES you paid for.

849 plus 5 more users CALs 499.99 and not get all the functions of FULL BES like HTML email and no lock on amount of users.

Ok so maybe you save 80.00 or so. Not worth it in the long run when you have to shell out 2800 to upgrade to full BES in the future for more than 30 users. And you already had it to begin with.

cmptekinc · 03-12-2009, 04:21 PM

Yep, reboot was the first thing I did since noticing the issue.

cmptekinc · 03-12-2009, 04:24 PM

You are right BPS doesn't seem like a suitable solution considering we have an older BES, just got a quote from CDW, BES upgarde will cost me $750.00 plus $485.00 for BB Tech Support (1 year), that Tech support option will allow for a Free upgrade to 5.0 when it comes out in May...

Jadey · 03-12-2009, 04:34 PM

Right, so we know that we need to upgrade BES.

Now, just need to think of best way. Current issues with working on your live BES are:
a) Old hardware
b) Old server OS
c) Broken config (how broken TBC - could just be that BES Manager is screwed)

How many users do you have?
Would you prefer to change physical hardware for new version of BES?
Would you prefer to change server OS for new version of BES?

cmptekinc · 03-12-2009, 04:50 PM

Well, the box that it`s running on is Pentium III, definetely hardware needs to be upgraded. I have 9 CALs, there are acouple of users that were added but they are separate since they were setup through BIS.
I definetely need to upgrade, we rarely touch this box as it`s been fairly flaky but usually reboot takes care of everything. I guess I need to repair the Blackberry management console either way if I want to move users, is that correct ? Otherwise, won't I have to wipe all of the blackberries and then set them up on the new server ?

cmptekinc · 03-12-2009, 04:53 PM

Jadey, I gotta run, I will try to post later tonight.
I appreciate the help.

DavidAdams · 03-13-2009, 03:33 AM

Personal 2p coming.

I would be very tempted to get new hardware and install and then upgrade the BES on it and then activate each user on it afresh. One issue there would be the SRP which cannot be live on both BES at the same time.

cmptekinc · 03-13-2009, 08:51 AM

When I will get the BES 4.1 I will also be purchasing Tech Support option, so hopefully they will help with the SRP.

As far as re[airing the Management Console, can that be done ? or once it`s gone, it`s gone for good ?

Jadey · 03-13-2009, 08:55 AM

Hard to say. First you need to find where your BES DB is. Check the BES box, is MSDE installed? Do you have an icon in the system tray?

cmptekinc · 03-13-2009, 09:21 AM

Let me check and I will post back.

cmptekinc · 03-13-2009, 09:24 AM

It`s SQL and not MSDE, after navigating to Programs\Research in Motion\Database there are a few SQl file, so it`s in SQL.

cmptekinc · 03-13-2009, 09:26 AM

I found this:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/bes-...-hardware.html

Looks like they are trying to do the same thing. Upgrade the BES from 3.6 to 4.1 an dthen do a Knifeedge cutover to the new hardware..

knottyrope · 03-13-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmptekinc

It`s SQL and not MSDE, after navigating to Programs\Research in Motion\Database there are a few SQl file, so it`s in SQL.

Is the server name the same name as the BES server?

If so I will bet you have MSDE.

Goto add remove programs and look for it on the BES

cmptekinc · 03-13-2009, 09:35 AM

Nope, the server/PC name is BlackBerry
In BES management server name is BlackBerry1

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