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How to verify and upgrade to the latest version of Messageware OWA Guard 2016 and Messageware OWA Guard 2013

This article applies to the following products:

Messageware OWA Guard 2016

Messageware OWA Guard 2013

 

SUMMARY

 

This article includes steps on how to verify the OWA Guard version installed and upgrade paths based on the software that’s being planned to update on the Exchange server environment.

 

The upgrade scenarios can include:

  • Apply an Exchange Cumulative Update (CU) but OWA Guard version remains unchanged
  • Apply an OWA Guard upgrade only but CU version remains unchanged
  • Apply both CU and OWA Guard updates

 

Note: Please consider the following items prior to applying an update.

  • The Exchange server must be restarted following a CU installation.  This step will finalize any pending Exchange updates and place the server in a clean state
  • The World Wide Web Publishing Service will need to be stopped/started during the OWA Guard upgrade process
    • Recommend to stop the service manually in Windows Service at the required stages

 

IDENTIFY VERSION

 

The steps below will cover how to identify the OWA Guard version that is currently installed in the server.

 

  • Open a Remote Desktop Connection into the server where OWA Guard is installed (Typically on CAS/Front-End servers)
  • Navigate to Programs and Features, either from the Start button or Control Panel
  • Locate all Messageware OWA Guard components installed on the server
  • The version of the software is listed under the Version column
  • Please consult the “Messageware – Microsoft CU Compatibility Matrix” to determine the matching Microsoft / Messageware version.

 

IDENTIFY DEPLOYMENT

 

Identify which deployment matches your current configuration and locate the servers where the OWA Guard components are installed

 

  • Exchange server only

All OWA Guard components (OWA Guard, Web Management, Monitor) are installed in Exchange CAS/Front-End server

 

  • Exchange and Application servers

The OWA Guard component installed in Exchange CAS/Front-End server, Web Management and Monitor are installed in Application Server

 

UPGRADE OPTIONS

 

Identify the upgrade path which best matches your upgrade plan.

 

Perform an Exchange Cumulative Update only, OWA Guard version remains unchanged

 

Perform an OWA Guard upgrade only, CU version remains unchanged

 

Apply both CU and OWA Guard updates

 

 

Note: Please consider the following preparation prior to starting the upgrade

  • Single-role (CAS / Front-End) Exchange server should temporarily divert user logon traffic to an alternate Exchange server from the organization’s load balancer
  • Multi-role (Front-End / Mailbox) Exchange server should be placed in maintenance mode in addition to user logon traffic being temporarily diverted to an alternate Front-End Exchange server from the organization’s load balancer

 

 

Follow the suggested instructions outlined as it applies to your upgrade plan.

 

Upgrade Option 1

Perform an Exchange Cumulative Update only, OWA Guard version remains unchanged

 

 

Load Balancer and Exchange Consideration

  • Perform the necessary load balancer configuration changes as needed
  • Place the Exchange server in maintenance mode
    • Requirement for multi-role servers
  • Reboot Exchange server to finalize any pending system changes and to place the server in a clean state prior to applying the updated CU

 

Obtain OWA Guard Zip Package

  • You may use a previously downloaded OWA Guard zip package or download a matching OWA Guard version by connecting to the Messageware Customer Portal
    • Note: See Identify Version section to assist with OWA Guard version identification and CU compatibility matrix
  • Save zip and extract to a temporary location

 

Uninstall OWA Guard Component(s)

  • On Exchange server where OWA Guard component is installed
  • Launch Programs and Features within Windows
    • Navigate to Control Panel \ All Control Panel Items \ Programs and Features
    • Take note of all OWA Guard software installed
  • Select Messageware OWA Guard and Uninstall
    • The World Wide Web Publishing Service will be stopped/started during the uninstall portion of this component only
  • Uninstall OWA Guard Monitor only if installed in Exchange server

 

Exchange CU Installation

  • Verify OWA login connectivity from your client’s browser and connect directly to the Exchange server URL (ex. https://servername/owa)
  • Perform the Cumulative Update on Exchange server
  • When the CU update has completed, reboot the Exchange server

 

Re-install OWA Guard Component(s)

  • Verify OWA login connectivity from your client’s browser and connect directly to the Exchange server URL (ex. https://servername/owa)
  • Navigate to the zip extracted location and install software in the following order with elevated administrative permissions
  1. Messageware OWA Guard
    • The World Wide Web Publishing Service will be stopped/started during the install portion of this component only
  2. Messageware OWA Guard Monitor
    • Only if previously installed in Exchange server

 

Verify OWA with OWA Guard Functionality

 

Return Exchange Server to Production Duty

  • Place the Exchange server out of Maintenance Mode
  • Re-instate the Exchange server back to rotation in load balancer

 

Upgrade Option 2

Perform an OWA Guard upgrade only, CU version remains unchanged

 

Load Balancer and Exchange Consideration

  • Perform the necessary load balancer configuration changes as needed
  • Place the Exchange server in maintenance mode
    • Requirement for multi-role servers
  • Reboot Exchange server to finalize any pending system changes and to place the server in a clean state

 

Obtain OWA Guard Zip Package

  • You may use a previously downloaded OWA Guard zip package or download a matching OWA Guard version by connecting to the Messageware Customer Portal
    • Note: See Identify Version section to assist with OWA Guard version identification and CU compatibility matrix
  • Save zip and extract to a temporary location

 

Uninstall OWA Guard Component(s)

  • On Exchange server where OWA Guard component is installed
  • Launch Programs and Features within Windows
    • Navigate to Control Panel \ All Control Panel Items \ Programs and Features
  • Uninstall Messageware OWA Guard
    • The World Wide Web Publishing Service will be stopped/started during the uninstall portion of this component only
  • Uninstall OWA Guard Monitor and OWA Guard Web Management where is found installed on Exchange or Application server

 

Install OWA Guard Component(s)

  • Verify OWA login connectivity from your client’s browser and connect directly to the Exchange server URL (ex. https://servername/owa)
  • Navigate to the zip extracted location and install software in the following order with elevated administrative permissions
  • Messageware OWA Guard
    • The World Wide Web Publishing Service will be stopped/started during the install portion of this component only
  • Messageware OWA Guard Web Management
    • Match as previously installed in Exchange or Application server
  • Messageware OWA Guard Monitor
    • Match as previously installed in Exchange or Application server

 

Verify OWA with OWA Guard Functionality

 

Return Exchange Server to Production Duty

  • Place the Exchange server out of Maintenance Mode
  • Re-instate the Exchange server back to rotation in load balancer

 

Upgrade Option 3

Apply both CU and OWA Guard updates

 

Load Balancer and Exchange Consideration

  • Perform the necessary load balancer configuration changes as needed
  • Place the Exchange server in maintenance mode
    • Requirement for multi-role servers
  • Reboot Exchange server to finalize any pending system changes and to place the server in a clean state prior to applying the updated CU

 

Obtain OWA Guard Zip Package

  • You may use a previously downloaded OWA Guard zip package or download a matching OWA Guard version by connecting to the Messageware Customer Portal
    • Note: See Identify Version section to assist with OWA Guard version identification and CU compatibility matrix
  • Save zip and extract to a temporary location

 

Uninstall OWA Guard Component(s)

  • On Exchange server where OWA Guard component is installed
  • Launch Programs and Features within Windows
    • Navigate to Control Panel \ All Control Panel Items \ Programs and Features
  • Uninstall Messageware OWA Guard
    • The World Wide Web Publishing Service will be stopped/started during the uninstall portion of this component only
  • Uninstall OWA Guard Monitor and OWA Guard Web Management where is found installed on Exchange or Application server

 

Exchange CU Installation

  • Verify OWA login connectivity from your client’s browser and connect directly to the Exchange server URL (ex. https://servername/owa)
  • Perform the Cumulative Update on Exchange server
  • When the CU update has completed, reboot the Exchange server

 

Install OWA Guard Component(s)

  • Verify OWA login connectivity from your client’s browser and connect directly to the Exchange server URL (ex. https://servername/owa)
  • Navigate to the zip extracted location and install software in the following order with elevated administrative permissions
  1. Messageware OWA Guard
    • The World Wide Web Publishing Service will be stopped/started during the install portion of this component only
  2. Messageware OWA Guard Web Management
    • Match as previously installed in Exchange or Application server
  3. Messageware OWA Guard Monitor
    • Match as previously installed in Exchange or Application server

 

Verify OWA with OWA Guard Functionality

 

Return Exchange Server to Production Duty

  • Place the Exchange server out of Maintenance Mode
  • Re-instate the Exchange server back to rotation in load balancer