Q244703: XGEN: Advancing & Rolling Back System Time Clock for Y2K Test
Article: Q244703
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): 4.0,5.0,5.5
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s): exc4 exc5 exc55
Last Modified: 03-AUG-2001
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The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.5
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SUMMARY
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YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE
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The following year 2000 (Y2K) test considerations should be viewed as high-level
testing recommendations that organizations can use to scope and implement their
Y2K efforts. Each solution being assessed is unique, and deserves tailored
testing to completely assess its end-to-end Y2K readiness. Consequently, any
solution or product tests that do not go beyond these minimum recommendations
may be insufficient to determine readiness. Please ensure you assess the entire
solution.
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When you are performing Y2K tests in an Exchange Server messaging environment,
you may want to advance the system time clock to the appropriate time testing
period.
IMPORTANT: Only advance and roll back system time in a test environment, not in a
production environment. Performing such an operation in a production environment
may cause the loss of all pending mail in the system, replication problems, and
may require that the Microsoft Exchange services be restarted.
A few important things should be considered when you are modifying the system
time for the purpose of testing:
- All Y2K test scenarios must be valid and realistic. Invalid test scenarios
produce invalid and meaningless results.
- Rolling the system time back after it has been advanced does not constitute a
valid test scenario because it is not realistic. Unpredictable results are to
be expected if the time is rolled back while messages are pending in the
system.
- Consider setting up a test environment that simulates part of your Exchange
Server topology. When this is set up, change the system time on all servers
to December 31, 1999. Then start sending messages, and let the date roll over
to January 1, 2000.
Example:
All pending messages in the Exchange Server e-mail system will be rendered
undeliverable if the system clock is advanced beyond the default messaging time
outs. The diagnostic code for the non-delivery report (NDR) will indicate that
the maximum time has expired on the messages. The result, in this case, is
normal and to be expected because all maximum timer values on these messages
have already elapsed.
To test the system behavior in a specific time period, you may advance the system
time to or just before the time period you want to test. Start your testing by
observing the proper transition to the specific date. After you have concluded
the tests, you may then roll back system time to the current time and restart
services.
Microsoft understands the critical nature of the Y2K issue for organizations.
Information technology professionals who are responsible for the Y2K health of
Microsoft products used in their environments need to understand how Microsoft
has tested its products. The numbered list below represents the framework used
by Microsoft to test the Y2K date handling capabilities of Microsoft products.
1. The product stores and calculates dates consistent with a four-digit format
throughout its operational range. If the product allows the user to enter a
two-digit short cut for the year, the product recognizes the year consistent
with a four-digit format.
2. The product correctly executes leap year calculations. The product does not
use special values for dates within its operational range for data.
3. The product functions into the 21st century, through the end of year 2035.
Microsoft continues to test for Y2K issues as new versions of products or service
packs are produced.
NOTE: All references to "dates" refer to using either four digits or two digits
for the YEAR portion of the date. This testing criteria does not constitute a
warranty or certification expressed or implied, of any kind.
ALL COMMUNICATIONS OR CONVEYANCES OF INFORMATION TO YOU CONCERNING MICROSOFT AND
THE YEAR 2000, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THIS DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER PAST,
PRESENT OR FUTURE INFORMATION REGARDING YEAR 2000 TESTING, ASSESSMENTS,
READINESS, TIME TABLES, OBJECTIVES, OR OTHER (COLLECTIVELY THE "MICROSOFT YEAR
2000 STATEMENT"), ARE PROVIDED AS A "YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE" (AS DEFINED
BY THE YEAR 2000 INFORMATION AND READINESS DISCLOSURE ACT). EACH MICROSOFT YEAR
2000 STATEMENT IS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF, AND THE YEAR 2000
INFORMATION AND READINESS DISCLOSURE ACT FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING THE
PLANNING FOR THE TRANSITION TO THE YEAR 2000. EACH MICROSOFT YEAR 2000 STATEMENT
CONTAINS INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AND IS UPDATED REGULARLY AND SUBJECT TO
CHANGE. EACH MICROSOFT YEAR 2000 STATEMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY
OF ANY KIND. CONSEQUENTLY, MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. MOREOVER, MICROSOFT DOES NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF ANY MICROSOFT
YEAR 2000 STATEMENT IN TERMS OF ITS CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR
OTHERWISE. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY MICROSOFT OR ITS
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY DECREASE THE
SCOPE OF THIS WARRANTY DISCLAIMER. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT OR ITS SUPPLIERS
BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER REGARDING ANY MICROSOFT YEAR 2000 STATEMENT
INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS,
PUNITIVE OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE
EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO
THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN EACH
MICROSOFT YEAR 2000 STATEMENT IS INTENDED TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER
INFORMATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MICROSOFT'S YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
STATEMENT, THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CATEGORIES OF COMPLIANCE INTO WHICH MICROSOFT
HAS CLASSIFIED ITS PRODUCTS IN ITS YEAR 2000 PRODUCT GUIDE, AND THE MICROSOFT
YEAR 2000 TEST CRITERIA.
ANY MICROSOFT YEAR 2000 STATEMENTS MADE TO YOU IN THE COURSE OF PROVIDING YEAR
2000 RELATED UPDATES, YEAR 2000 DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, OR REMEDIATION SERVICES (IF
ANY) ARE SUBJECT TO THE YEAR 2000 INFORMATION AND READINESS DISCLOSURE ACT (112
STAT. 2386). IN CASE OF A DISPUTE, THIS ACT MAY REDUCE YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
REGARDING THE USE OF ANY SUCH STATEMENTS, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY YOUR
CONTRACT OR TARIFF.
Additional query words: y2k test
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Keywords : exc4 exc5 exc55
Technology : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2
Version : :4.0,5.0,5.5
Issue type : kbinfo
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