Monitoring RoundTrip response time

PATROL for Microsoft Exchange Servers monitors the following types of mail response time by using synthetic transactions:

• RoundTrip client monitoring measures the response time for delivery between an Exchange client, like Microsoft Outlook, and an Exchange server.
• RoundTrip server monitoring measures the response time for delivery between Exchange servers that are running PATROL for Microsoft Exchange Servers.
• RoundTrip Internet monitoring measures the response time for delivery between an Exchange server and a foreign mail server.

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Creating and monitoring an Exchange RoundTrip server session

This task describes how to configure PATROL to monitor the mail delivery between Exchange servers.

Before you begin

• Verify that both Exchange Servers are running the same version of PATROL for Exchange Servers.
• Verify that the PATROL Agent on the target Exchange Server is either connected to a PATROL console or has preloaded PATROL for Exchange Servers.
• Verify that the mailboxes used for RoundTrip monitoring have been replicated to all Exchange Servers that are being monitored. If in doubt, you may want to force directory replication at your site.

To create a Roundtrip server session

1. Access the RoundTrip Response application class menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Create Session > Exchange > Server menu command to display the Server-Roundtrip-Session-Properties-dialog-box.

3. Enter or select the following configuration information:

   • Active Sessions: a list of previously-created server-to-server sessions
   • Available Servers: a list of hosts in your organization
   • Send Interval (minutes): how often the mail is sent
   • Attachment Size (KB): the size of the attachment included with the message
   • Warn After (seconds): the message timing that, if exceeded, causes the Send Mail Status parameter to flash yellow
   • Alarm After (seconds): the message timing that, if exceeded, causes the Send Mail Status parameter to flash red

   If you select large attachments and small send intervals, network traffic could increase significantly. 

4. Click OK to display the Server RoundTrip Response Session dialog box.

   
   

   If necessary, change the mailbox name for the RoundTrip Session.

   Warning

    You must use the mailbox that PATROL for Exchange Servers created when you installed and configured PATROL for Exchange Servers on the target server.

   
   

5. Click Accept.

PATROL creates an application class instance of MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Server that represents the Roundtrip server session. The Roundtrip server session parameter values are updated during the next polling cycle.

RoundTrip server response time monitoring

A RoundTrip server session lets you test messaging connectivity (messaging capability and network connectivity) between Exchange servers in an organization. At a defined polling interval, the RoundTrip monitor sends a mail message from the source Exchange server (containing the monitor) to a target Exchange server specified in the monitor. Upon receipt of this message, the RoundTrip server component on the target Exchange server responds to the email message by sending a reply to the source Exchange server. If the email message returns to the source Exchange server, you know the message transport is operational. Sending an email message is different from sending a ping message using the TCP/IP Ping utility. Sending a TCP/IP ping message to a remote server shows only network connectivity; it doesn't verify that the Routing Engine (SMTP) is working. A RoundTrip server session email message confirms that both servers are messaging-capable as well as connected via the network. 

You can create RoundTrip server sessions between Exchange servers

• In the same Exchange organization
• Running the same version of PATROL for Exchange Servers

Creating and monitoring a RoundTrip Internet session

Use this task to configure PATROL to monitor the mail response time between an Exchange server and a foreign mail server.

A RoundTrip Internet session monitors the time it takes for an e-mail message to be sent to a foreign mail server and a Non Delivery Report (NDR) to be sent back to the originating server. If the RoundTrip message's NDR comes back to the server after the Warning and Alarm range times have expired, then PATROL writes data points to the Status parameter in the MSEXCH_Roundtrip_InetServer application class. Data points will not be written to the LastMsgTime, LastNMsgTime, and MaxMsgTime parameters.

Before you begin

• Verify that the foreign mail server that you want to monitor has an Internet connector.
• In order to obtain accurate response time results, verify that the Exchange server from which the Roundtrip session is initiated can send and receive e-mail to and from the Internet. If it cannot, verify that the appropriate MX records have been created on your DNS server and that Internet connectivity is available.

• Verify that you are using a valid server name for the foreign mail server. If you enter an invalid server name, PATROL does not display any error messages but the Roundtrip data is invalid.

To create a RoundTrip Internet session

1. Access the Roundtrip Response application class menu as described in Server-Roundtrip-Session-Properties-dialog-box.
2. Choose the Create Session > Internet Server menu command to display the Add-New-Internet-Roundtrip-Session-dialog-box.
3. Enter or select the following configuration information:
   
   
   • Server Name: the DNS name of the foreign mail server
   • Send Interval: how often the mail is sent
   • Attachment Size: the size of the attachment included with the message
   • Warn after: the message timing that, if exceeded, causes the Status parameter to flash yellow
   • Alarm after: the message timing that, if exceeded, causes the Status parameter to flash red
4. Click OK.

PATROL creates an application class instance of MSEXCH_Roundtrip_InetServer that represents the RoundTrip Internet session. The RoundTrip Internet session parameter values are updated during the next polling cycle.

RoundTrip Internet response time monitoring

A RoundTrip Internet session allows you to test messaging connectivity (messaging capability and network connectivity) between an Exchange server and any foreign mail server connected to the Internet. At a defined polling interval the RoundTrip program sends an email message from the source Exchange server (containing the monitor) to an invalid user on the target foreign mail server. Upon receiving a message destined to an invalid recipient, the Administrator/Postmaster on the foreign mail server sends a Non-Delivery Report (NDR) response back to the source Exchange server. If the NDR is returned to the source Exchange server, message transport and the link between the two servers is operational.

When you create this type of RoundTrip session, enter the name of the foreign mail server using one of the following formats:

• The fully qualified domain name of the foreign mail server; for example, mail.uh.edu
• The DNS domain of the foreign mail server; for example, uh.edu

Creating and monitoring Exchange RoundTrip client session

This task describes how to configure PATROL to monitor the mail response time between an Exchange client and an Exchange Server.

To create a RoundTrip client session

1. Access the RoundTrip Response application class menu as described in Server RoundTrip Session Properties dialog box.
2. Choose the Create Session > Exchange > Client menu command to display the Create RoundTrip Client Session dialog box.
3. Enter the client computer name and a user name and password for the client computer.
   
   The user name and password you use should either be an administrator on the local client or a domain admin account. 
4. Click Verify to validate the credentials, install the Roundtrip components on the client machine, and display the Add New Client Roundtrip Session dialog box.

5. Enter the following configuration information:

   • Send Interval (minutes): how often the mail is sent
   • Warn After (seconds): the message timing that, if exceeded, causes the Send Mail Status parameter to flash yellow
   • Alarm After (seconds): the message timing that, if exceeded, causes the Send Mail Status parameter to flash red
   • Attachment Size (KB): the size of the attachment included with the message

    If you select large attachments and small send intervals, network traffic could increase significantly. 

6. Click Done.

PATROL creates an application class instance of MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Client that represents the Roundtrip client session. The Roundtrip client session parameter values are updated during the next polling cycle.

RoundTrip client response time monitoring

A RoundTrip client session lets you test the performance and availability of the Exchange server from an end-user perspective and test messaging connectivity (messaging capability and network connectivity) between an email client within any site in an Exchange organization and the Exchange server. To ensure that end-users within the Exchange organization are effectively supported, administrators need to monitor the Exchange server from an end-user perspective for maximum performance. At a defined polling interval, the RoundTrip program (which emulates an email client) on a client machine queries the Exchange server and obtains statistics such as logon time, logoff time, time to create a message, time to delete a message, and time to send a message. During this polling interval, the RoundTrip program also sends email to the Exchange server which in turn replies to the message, verifying that the link between the two machines is operational. 

You can create RoundTrip client sessions between an Exchange client and an Exchange server if the client meets the following requirements:

• Running one of the following operating systems:
  • Windows 2000 or XP Professional
  • Windows 2003
• Exchange client in the same domain as the monitored Exchange server
• Account used has Administrator privileges
• One of the following Messaging API (MAPI) enabled software applications installed
  • Microsoft Outlook (Version 97, 98, 2000, XP, or 2003)
  • Exchange Client 5.0 or later (installed with Windows Messaging)
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 
    
    You cannot monitor Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME Exchange clients. 
    
    Use RoundTrip client monitoring for local mail delivery only. To monitor remote mail delivery, create a RoundTrip server session.

Changing a RoundTrip session

This task describes how to change the configuration settings of an existing Roundtrip client or Roundtrip server session. Select one of the following tasks:

• To change a RoundTrip client session.
• To change a RoundTrip server session

To change a RoundTrip client session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Client application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Properties > Update menu command to display the RoundTrip Session Properties dialog box.
3. Change the desired settings and click OK.
   
   During the next discovery cycle, your changes take effect. 

To change a RoundTrip server session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Server application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Properties > Update menu command to display the Roundtrip Session Properties dialog box.
3. Change the desired settings and click OK.
   
   During the next discovery cycle, your changes take effect.

Changing RoundTrip session default settings

This task describes how to change the default settings associated with all RoundTrip sessions. For example, you can select how many messages to use when calculating the value of the LastNMsgTime parameter.

1. Access the RoundTrip Response application class menu as described in  Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Default Settings menu command to display the Configure-Response-Time-Default-Settings-dialog-box.
3. Enter or change the information on the dialog box and click OK. 

Displaying RoundTrip session properties

This task describes how to display the configuration settings for a RoundTrip session. Select one of the following options:

• To display RoundTrip client session properties
• To change a RoundTrip server session 
• To display RoundTrip Internet session properties

To display RoundTrip client session properties

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Client application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Properties > View menu command to display the Roundtrip Session Properties dialog box.
3. Click Cancel to close the dialog box. 

To display RoundTrip server session properties

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Server application class instance menu, as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Properties > View menu command to display the Roundtrip Session Properties dialog box.
3. Click Cancel to close the dialog box. 

To display RoundTrip Internet session properties

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_InetServer application class instance menu, as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Properties menu command to display the RoundTrip Session Properties dialog box.
3. Click Cancel to close the dialog box.

Pausing a RoundTrip session

This task describes how to suspend Roundtrip sessions. Select one of the following options:

• To suspend a RoundTrip client session
• To suspend a RoundTrip Internet session 
• To suspend a RoundTrip server session

To suspend a RoundTrip client session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Client application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Suspend menu command.

To suspend a RoundTrip server session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Server application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Suspend menu command. 

To suspend a RoundTrip Internet session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_InetServer application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Suspend menu command. 

Resuming a RoundTrip session

This task describes how to resume a RoundTrip session you have suspended. Select one of the following options:

• To resume a RoundTrip client session 
• To resume a RoundTrip Internet session
• To resume a RoundTrip server session

To resume a RoundTrip client session

1. Access the paused MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Client application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Resume menu command.

To resume a RoundTrip server session

1. Access the paused MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Server application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Resume menu command.

To resume a RoundTrip Internet session

1. Access the paused MSEXCH_Roundtrip_InetServer application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Select the Resume menu command.

Updating RoundTrip sessions

This task describes how to change the configuration settings for an existing Roundtrip session. You may want to increase or decrease the send interval or attachment size or change the thresholds for the ALARM and WARN states to increase the efficiency of the Roundtrip sessions.
Select one of the following options:

• To update a Roundtrip client session
• To update a Roundtrip server session

 Update a RoundTrip client session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Client application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Select the Properties > Udpate menu command to display the Update-Roundtrip-Response-Time-Properties-dialog-box.
3. Enter or change the configuration settings and click OK.

To update a Roundtrip server session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Server application class instance menu as described in  Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Select the Properties > Update menu command to display the Update-Roundtrip-Response-Time-Properties-dialog-box.
3. Enter or change the configuration settings and click OK.

Debugging a RoundTrip session

Use this task to enable or disable Roundtrip monitoring while you are debugging your environment.

1. Access the Exchange application class menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Select the PATROL Admin > Trace Options > Start/Stop Round Trip menu command to display the End-to-End Round Trip Status dialog box.
3. Select one of the following options:
   
   • Start Up End-to-End Round Trip to enable response time monitoring
   • Shut Down End-to-End Round Trip to disable response time monitoring
4. Click Done. 

Deleting a RoundTrip session

Select one of the following tasks:

• To_delete a RoundTrip client session
• To_delete a RoundTrip Internet session
• To_delete a RoundTrip server session

To delete a RoundTrip client session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Client application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Destroy menu command.

To delete a RoundTrip server session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_Server application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Destroy menu command. 

To delete a RoundTrip Internet session

1. Access the appropriate MSEXCH_Roundtrip_InetServer application class instance menu as described in Accessing-KM-Menu-Commands.
2. Choose the Destroy menu command.