This chapter introduces the event logs and diagnostic logging tools that are available in Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Office Communicator 2007. Useful diagnostic tools that are available in the Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit are identified and explained so as to help build awareness of this toolkit that can be used for diagnosing problems.
A variety of tools are available to help diagnose problems. Having an awareness of these tools and how to access them is a step in the right direction. Table 16-1 presents a selection of available tools, the scenarios to which they generally apply (whether they are specific to conferencing or voice applications), and a brief note on what they do and where you can access them.
Table 16-1. Diagnostic Tools for Different Scenarios
Tool Name | Description | Installation Source |
|---|---|---|
| Core Scenarios (Basic Presence and Instant Messaging) | ||
Validation Wizard | Analyzes and validates current configuration and connectivity to detect errors, validate basic end-to-end scenarios, and provide recommendations | Office Communications Server 2007 (in the Deployment Wizard); can also be launched from the server Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in |
Starts and stops server logs as well as filters and displays logs | Office Communications Server 2007; can also be launched from the server MMC snap-in | |
MMC snap-in that enables client and/or server event logs to be viewed and examined (snap-in also has an embedded viewer that shows only errors and warnings) | Part of all Microsoft Windows operating systems | |
Script that scans client trace log files to highlight errors, provide protocol summaries, or filter out specific protocol messages | ||
Graphical user interface (GUI) for summarizing, searching, and viewing client and server protocol and trace logs; also works for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2005 server logs | Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools | |
GUI for querying archiving and call detail records | Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools | |
Provides design, auto discovery, and persistence of topology configuration data | Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools | |
Validates service principal names (SPNs) to avoid authentication and topology errors | Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools | |
Gathers analysis reports from the Office Communications Server 2007 database | Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools | |
Discovers settings for previous and current versions of Live Communications Server 2005 and Office Communications Server 2007 | Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools | |
Protocol parser for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP); can be plugged into Network Monitor (Netmon) for viewing unencrypted SIP over Transmissioin Control Protocol (TCP) | Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools | |
Queries relevant Domain Name System (DNS) Service Record Locator (SRV) records for the specified domain; useful for federation and login diagnostics | Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools | |
| Conferencing Scenario | ||
Network protocol analyzer used in viewing raw network traffic for media interactions | Part of Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 | |
Network protocol analyzer from the open source community | Available on many operating systems; also freely available at http://www.wireshark.org/ | |
Enables a new server role that helps manage QoE by allowing a view of quality and trends for media connectivity, as well as monitoring and easing the troubleshooting of specific conferencing problem cases | Web download is available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=09115944-625f-460b-b09c-51e3c96e9f7e&displaylang=en | |
| Enterprise Voice Scenario | ||
Enterprise Voice Route Helper | GUI for visualization, testing, modification, archiving, and sharing of voice routing configuration data | Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools (the user's guide for this tool is available from the Microsoft Download Center; search for "Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Enterprise Voice Route Helper User's Guide" at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=cc5bd675-b91b-4339-8b4b-a11378061c95&displaylang=en&tm) |
Deployment Validation Tool (DVT) agents | Enables test endpoints and the ability to schedule tests and report results via Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) or e-mail | Web download is available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=3596a10d-65cc-4cca-8470-3f23d5ea55b2&DisplayLang=en |
Note
On the CD All tools that are part of Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools are provided on the companion CD to make them easier to find and use. Pease reference the short document included in the toolset for detailed instructions on how to run each tool. More tools exist in the Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Resource Kit Tools than those shown in Table 16-1, for only the primary tools of interest to most readers are highlighted here.