Rebuilding BES Server

[awilisch]

We currently have a BES server running Windows 2000 in a VM. Recently I tried upgrading it to the latest revision, however I couldn't proceed because I did not know what the database password was. The person who built it left the company before I started and no one in our current IT department knows what it was set to.

I want to build a new server with Win2k3 and put the latest revision on it. Am I going to have to re-activate all of my phones on the new server, or is there a way of porting that information over?

Any help is appreciated.

--Aric

[qc_metal]

You will need to reactivate your devices if you move to a new server...

Are you running MSDE?

[awilisch]

Pretty sure that's what's running now. I'm not sure who built this server. I'd like to move it to our main SQL server if possible. If I could get access to the MSDE database could it be exported and re-imported to a different database?

if I have to re-activate them all then I will. I'd just like to avoid that if possible

Thanks for the help.
--Aric

[GaryCutri]

Moving BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Exchange to a New Server
MSDE\SQL 2005 Express Version
By Gary Cutri
Draft Version 1

Before You Begin

1.Ensure you have a copy of the full BES install package that is the same version of your current installation (e.g. besx_4.1.4.exe).

2.Ensure you have allowed Port 3101 TCP Outbound on your firewall from the IP Address of the new BES server.

3.If a new BES service pack is available please download it prior to starting this process.

4.It is preferred that you new BES has Server 2003 w/SP1 or higher installed.

Preparation Stage

Note: You should use your normal Domain Admin account (e.g. Administrator) to perform the following tasks.

1.Install Exchange System Manager on you new server that you plan to install the BES. Ensure you install all the same service packs and updates that are running on your mail server (e.g. SP2 and Microsoft Exchange DST patches). To confirm this stage is complete compare the versions of cdo.dll and mapi32.dll on the mail server to the BES.
Note: If you go to “Control Panel > Add\Remove Programs > Select Show Updates” you can see all the service packs installed on your Exchange Server.

2.On the new server set the permissions for your Blackberry service account (e.g. BESadmin).
-Make BESadmin a local Administrator of the server.
-Go to Admin Tools on open "Local Security Policy" and expand the "Local Policies" and "User Right Assignment". You need to add BESadmin to "Log on Locally" and "log on as Service".

3.Install MSDE on your new BES. If you are not using “MDSE Services” (i.e. RIMs application development environment) you can install SQL 2005 Express (During the 2005 Express install uncheck “Hide Advanced Options” and then choose to install a default instance). Once either version is installed download and install SQL Server Management Studio Express. If you are missing any prerequisite applications they can be found HERE.

4.Copy the BlackBerry Install package to the new BES and extract the files without running the setup.

5.On the new BES go to the command prompt and navigate to the Database directory in the extracted install files. (e.g. Default Extraction Path = c:\Research In Motion\BlackBerry Enterprise Server 4.1.x\Database). From the Database directory run CreateDB.exe BESMgmt.cfg to create a new blank BESMgmt database (This method also ensures the correct SQL schema is in place).

6.On the new BES open SQL Server Management Studio Express and expand the Security folder and right mouse click Logins and select New Login. From the Login – New window select Search and when the next window appears change your Location to Entire Directory and then enter the name of your BlackBerry Service Account (e.g. BESadmin) and then select OK once you have successfully checked the name.

Note: This long method is used to ensure the correct Domain and account name is selected.

7.Once you have successfully selected the Login Name you will be returned to the Login – New window. Now select Server Roles in the left column and choose dbcreator and sysadmin.

Move the Database

1.Log onto your old BES and stop and disable all of the BlackBerry services

2.Go to the command prompt and run the following commands to backup the database.
-osql –E
-backup database BESMgmt to disk = “c:\BESMgmt.bak”
-go
-exit

3.Copy the BESMgmt.bak file to your new Blackberry Server

4.On your new BES open SQL Server Management Studio Express and expand the Database folder. Now right mouse click BESMgmt and select “Tasks > Restore > Database”. From the restore window select From Device and then select File from Backup Media and now add the backup file.

5.Once you have added to path to the BESMgmt.bak restore file select the Restore checkbox in the lower window. Now select Options in the left column and check Overwrite the existing Database. Now select OK to restore the database.

Prepare the Migrated Database

1.Now that the database has been restored from SQL Server Management Studio Express you need to expand the BESMgmt database and select Tables. In the centre window right mouse click ServerConfig and select Open Table. Now edit the columns below and update them to display the new server name.

-ServiceName
-MachineName
-RPCEndPoint (only edit the name after “\pipe\BESMonitor” )

2.Still within the ServerConfig table scroll to the MDSAGConfigId column and ensure it is set to NULL. Now close the ServerConfig table and reselect the Tables fold in the left column and locate the MDSAGConfig table in the centre section. Once again right mouse click and select Open Table and ensure you can only see one row containing all NULL values. If a row containing server settings appears select that entire row and delete it. You can now close the MDSAGConfig table and we can now be assure no old MDS Service settings are migrated and they can be installed fresh on this new server.

3.Now select the Tables folder in the left column again. In the centre window right mouse click MDSConfig and select Open Table. Now edit the columns below and update them to display the new server name.
-MDSHost
-MachineName
-ServerName (only edit the name before “_MDS-CS_X”)

Installing the New BES

1.Log onto the new BlackBerry Server using your BlackBerry Service Account (e.g. BESadmin)

2.Run setup.exe from the install files we extracted earlier and enter your company details and select next

3.Select the BES installation type that you require (Note: BlackBerry Professional users don’t have these options). Please be aware that the first option “BlackBerry Enterprise Server” includes standard MDS to allow internet\intranet browsing via the BES. The second option “BlackBerry Enterprise Server with MDS Services” is only require if you plan on developing your own BlackBerry applications (note: you can’t select this option if you use SQL 2005 Express).

4.Now just step through the installer until you are prompted to restart. Once the server has restarted logon again as your BlackBerry Service Account and the installer will automatically start again after a few minutes (if it doesn’t just run the setup.exe file again to resume). You will now will be prompted for your database location and settings which should be correct by default. Once the settings are correct just select Next and shortly (if the installer is a newer version you will be prompted to upgrade) you should see your BES CAL on the next screen.

5.Now just continue through the remaining screens and changed any setting if required. Once you get to the last screen uncheck the “Start Services” (i.e. DO NOT START THE SERVICES) and finish the install.

6.Now open BlackBerry Manager (a MAPI error may appear) and ensure your server name is correct and all your users appear. Once you confirm the data is valid go to windows services and start the Blackberry Services in the following order:
-BlackBerry Router.
-BlackBerry Dispatcher.
-BlackBerry Controller.
-All remaining BlackBerry services.

7.Open Blackberry Manager and select the Servers tab and then select Exchange and in the properties window below ensure the server is Running and the SRP is Connected

8.Now from the BlackBerry Manager sort your users by Last Contact Time (latest first) and you should see your users being contacted and updated. (Please note delays in communication may occur as it performs mailbox rescans so wait up to 30 minutes for the service to fully resume).

9.Once you confirm your BES is functioning correctly wait 24 hours and install the latest services packs. Once again ensure you logon as the BlackBerry Service Account when installing any updates.

Note: Ensure all other technicians are aware that the BES has been moved and they MUST NOT start the BlackBerry Services on the old BES

Cleanup Stage

1.Once your new BES has been functioning for correctly for a few days please uninstall your old BES.

2.The extracted setup files can be removed if required

[supabrudda]

Originally Posted by awilisch

I tried upgrading it to the latest revision, however I couldn't proceed because I did not know what the database password was.

--Aric

Have a squiz in the registry here
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Research In Motion\BlackBerry Enterprise Server\Database
or here
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Research In Motion\BlackBerry Enterprise Server\Database

you might see a plaintext password