Q152231: XFOR: How to Reset Exchange Server Dirsync Numbers

Article: Q152231
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): winnt:5.0,5.5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbusage exc5 exc55
Last Modified: 27-OCT-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 5.5, 5.0 
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SUMMARY
=======

Sometimes it is necessary to reset the Directory Synchronization (dirsync)
sequence numbers when troubleshooting Microsoft Mail Directory Synchronization
problems with an Exchange Server computer participating as a requestor or as the
dirsync server.

Resetting dirsync numbers should be only performed as part of a systematic
approach to troubleshooting dirsync problems as documented in the application
note, "WA0725, Microsoft Mail for PC Networks Directory Synchronization."

MORE INFORMATION
================

Dirsync numbers are stored in different places depending on what role the
Exchange Server computer plays in the process:

- Exchange Server as a dirsync server: All remote dirsync requesters appear on
  the right side of the Microsoft Exchange Administrator program when viewing
  the dirsync server object on the left. Dirsync numbers for each requestor
  appear in raw-mode for each remote dirsync requestor object.

- Exchange Server as a dirsync requestor: There is only one dirsync requestor
  object defined in this case. Exchange Server keeps all dirsync numbers in
  this one object. Also viewable only while in raw- mode.

Exchange Server uses the following synchronization numbers:

- DXA-Conf-Seq (Confirmation sequence number) - On the remote dirsync requestor
  object, this number keeps track of what has been acknowledged by each
  requestor. When all transactions have been confirmed, this number should
  match the DXA-Svr-Seq. The DXA-Conf-Seq number can be less than the
  DXA-Svr-Seq if the server has sent updates to the requestor and no
  acknowledgment has been received from the requestor (this usually happens
  after the next T1 time).

- DXA-Imp-Seq (Import sequence number) - Amount of full import requests sent by
  the requestor.

- DXA-Req-Seq (Requestor sequence number) - Cumulative total of number of
  transactions sent by the requestor to the server.

- DXA-Svr-Seq (Server sequence number) - Cumulative total of number of
  transactions sent by the server to the one requestor.

WARNING: Using the raw mode of the Exchange Server Administrator program (admin
/r) incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall
Microsoft Windows NT Server and/or Microsoft Exchange Server. Microsoft cannot
guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of raw mode can be
solved. Use raw mode at your own risk.

Resetting dirsync numbers requires that you run the Exchange Administrator
program in raw mode. To do so, quit the Administrator program, and type the
following at a command prompt: admin /r.

If Exchange Server is acting as the dirsync server, you can reset numbers for
individual remote dirsync requesters as follows:

1. Start the Exchange Administrator program in raw mode.

2. Click the dirsync server object that you created under the site Connections
  object.

3. On the right side, click the remote dirsync requestor that you want to reset
  the synchronization numbers for.

4. Click Raw Properties from the File menu.

5. On the bottom of the Remote DirSync Requester dialog box, change List
  Attributes of Type to ALL.

6. Set the following attributes to 0: DXA-Conf-Seq, DXA-Imp-Seq, DXA-Req-Seq,
  and DXA-Svr-Seq.

7. Stop and restart the Microsoft Directory Synchronization Service.

8. You must now run Listds.exe on the requestor to reset the dirsync numbers.

If Exchange Server is acting as a requestor:

1. Start the Exchange Server Administrator program in raw mode.

2. Click the dirsync requestor object that you created under the site
  Connections object.

3. Click Raw Properties from the File menu.

4. Set the following attributes to 0: DXA-Conf-Seq, DXA-Imp-Seq, DXA-Req- Seq,
  and DXA-Svr-Seq.

5. Stop and restart the Microsoft Directory Synchronization Service.

6. You must remove and reconfigure the Exchange Server postoffice through the
  Microsoft Mail Administrator program on the Microsoft Mail dirsync server as
  well.


Additional query words:

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Keywords          : kbusage exc5 exc55 
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : winnt:5.0,5.5
Issue type        : kbhowto

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