Exchange domain container problem

[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: 2005-11-17

The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Active Directory® directory service to determine if the Microsoft Exchange System Objects container in the Domain Naming Context exists. If the Exchange Server Analyzer finds the Microsoft Exchange System Objects container does not exist or is otherwise invalid or malformed, an error is displayed.

The Microsoft Exchange System Objects container is created in each domain when Exchange DomainPrep is run.

You must run DomainPrep in the domain where this error is found. The domain name where the Microsoft Exchange System Objects container is missing is listed in the Exchange Server Analyzer output.

The account you use to run DomainPrep must be a member of the Domain Admins security group in the local domain and a local computer administrator.

In general, you must run DomainPrep in the following domains:

  • The root domain.

  • All domains that will contain Exchange 2000 Server or Exchange Server 2003 computers.

  • All domains that will contain Exchange 2000 Server or Exchange Server 2003 mailbox-enabled objects (such as users and groups), even if no Exchange servers will be installed in these domains.

  • All domains that will contain global catalog servers that Exchange directory access components may potentially use.

  • All domains that will contain Exchange 2000 Server or Exchange Server 2003 users and groups that you will use to manage your Exchange organization.

To run DomainPrep

  1. Insert the Exchange CD into your CD-ROM drive. You can run DomainPrep on any computer in the domain.

  2. At a command prompt, type <drive>:\setup\i386\setup /DomainPrep, where <drive> is your CD-ROM drive.

  3. On the Welcome to the Microsoft Exchange Installation Wizard page, click Next.

  4. On the License Agreement page, read the agreement. If you agree to the terms, click I agree, and then click Next.

  5. On the Product Identification page, type your 25-digit product key, and then click Next.

  6. On the Component Selection page, ensure that Action is set to DomainPrep. If not, click the drop-down arrow, and then click DomainPrep. Click Next.

  7. On the Completing the Microsoft Exchange Wizard page, click Finish.

For more information about running Exchange Server 2003 DomainPrep, see the Exchange 2003 Server Deployment Guide (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=47569).

For more information about running Exchange 2000 Server DomainPrep, see the technical paper, "Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Installation and Setup" (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=5906).