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License logging service is set to Automatic

[This topic is intended to address a specific issue called out by the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool. You should apply it only to systems that have had the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool run against them and are experiencing that specific issue. The Exchange Server Analyzer Tool, available as a free download, remotely collects configuration data from each server in the topology and automatically analyzes the data. The resulting report details important configuration issues, potential problems, and nondefault product settings. By following these recommendations, you can achieve better performance, scalability, reliability, and uptime. For more information about the tool or to download the latest versions, see "Microsoft Exchange Analyzers" at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=34707.]  

Topic Last Modified: 2005-11-18

The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Win32_Service Microsoft Windows® Management Instrumentation (WMI) class to determine the value of the Started key for the License Logging service (LicenseService). A value of False indicates that the License Logging service is not running on this Exchange server. A value of True indicates that the License Logging service is running.

The Exchange Server Analyzer also queries the Exchange_Server WMI class in the root\MicrosoftExchangeV2 namespace to determine the value for the IsFrontEndServer key. A value of False indicates that the Exchange Server computer is not a front-end server. A value of True indicates that the Exchange Server computer is a front-end server.

The Exchange Server Analyzer also queries the Win32_OperatingSystem WMI class to determine the value for the OSProductSuite key. The value returned for this key indicates the version of the Windows operating system that is running on the Exchange Server computer.

Additionally, the Exchange Server Analyzer also queries the Active Directory® directory service to determine the count of the entries listed in the homeMDBBL attribute of each mailbox store. The count of this attribute represents the number of mailboxes on the mailbox store.

If the Exchange Server Analyzer determines that the License Logging service is started on an Exchange Server computer that meets all the following criteria, a warning is displayed:

  • The Exchange Server computer is not a front-end server.

  • The Exchange Server computer hosts more than 20 mailboxes.

  • The Exchange Server computer is not running on Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 or Small Business Server 2000.

The License Logging service is a tool that was originally designed to help customers manage licenses for Microsoft server products that are licensed in the Server Client Access License (CAL) model.

By default, the License Logging service is disabled in Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003. Because of original design constraints and evolving license terms and conditions, the License Logging service cannot provide an accurate view of the total number of CALs that are purchased as compared to the total number of CALs that are used on a single server or across the enterprise. The CALs that are reported by the License Logging service may conflict with the interpretation of the End User License Agreement (EULA) and with Product Usage Rights (PUR). The License Logging service will not be included in future versions of the Windows operating system.

Microsoft has specific requirements and recommendations for usage of the License Logging service on Exchange Server computers:

  • On front-end Exchange servers that use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), you must enable and start the License Logging service. If the License Logging service is not running, Internet Information Services (IIS) will limit the number of simultaneous authenticated SSL connections to 10.

  • On back-end Exchange servers, it is recommended that the License Logging service be stopped and set to Disabled.

  • On clustered Exchange servers, it is recommended that the License Logging service be stopped and set to Disabled.

  • On Exchange servers that are running on Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 or Small Business Server 2000, the License Logging service is required only when more than 10 authenticated SSL connections are required.

To set the state of the License Logging service

  1. Start the Services snap-in from the Administrative Tools menu.

  2. Locate and double-click the License Logging Service.

  3. In the Startup type dropdown list, select the appropriate option:

    • Set the service to Automatic on front-end Exchange servers that use SSL.

    • Set the service to Disabled on back-end Exchange servers and clustered Exchange servers.

  4. If you are disabling the License Logging service, also click Stop to stop the service.

  5. Click OK to save the changes, and close the Services snap-in.

For more information about the License Logging service, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles: