The Exchange Toolbox is a new project of mine to make my life a little easier. In my daily work with Exchange Server I usually only need a few commands or information to check configurations or identify problems. With the Exchange Toolbox I am trying to create a small tool that makes the most important information available in one interface.
The Exchange Toolbox has now reached the stage where it can be described as a beta version. This is what it looks like so far:
On the first tab "Network" you can ping a host and resolve DNS entries internally (with the default DNS server of the client) or externally via Google DNS server. The MX record can also be determined here. This saves a few lines in the shell.
I still have to work on the design and the labeling, and all the functions are not quite running smoothly yet.
The Autodiscover tab retrieves the Autodiscover.xml from the Exchange Server. Outlook is required for this. In principle, the "Test e-mail auto configuration" test is carried out here. Just a little easier to access:
However, there is still a lack of functions here too, so far only the XML is displayed and not yet evaluated and validated.
Mail Test" can be used to quickly send a test mail, even with login information. "Port Test" can test any TCP port, which I find quite useful for firewall issues, but there are still problems with UDP.
Using "Windows Services", the services on a server can be checked and also filtered according to Exchange services.
The "Certificates" tab retrieves the SSL certificate from a server and displays it, but there is still a problem here too: If the certificate is recognized as invalid, no data is displayed.
"Queues" can display the status of the Exchange queues and "Blacklist Check" checks known blacklists to see if the IP is listed. But here again a construction site: Currently the Exchange Toolbox only accepts IPs and no FQDNs.
I still need to address the following points in general:
- Error handling
- Labeling and layout
- the problems listed above
- much more...
In addition, the "GUI for message tracking" is to be integrated into the Exchange Toolbox. All functions would then be combined in one tool. The Exchange Toolbox requires an installed and configured Outlook and the Exchange Management Shell for some functions.
If you would like to try out Beta 1, you can download the Exchange Toolbox here:
As this is a beta version, there will certainly be more problems and bugs in the Exchange Toolbox. Anyone who finds problems or has suggestions for new functions is welcome to use the form:
Have fun trying it out. I would be delighted to receive lots of feedback.