Error when you install Exchange Server 2013 CU1 or CU2: Error occurred while configuring Search Foundation

Original KB number:   2889663

Symptoms

When you install Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 1 (KB2816900) or Cumulative Update 2 (KB2859928) on Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2012, the installation of the Mailbox server role isn't successful, and you receive the following error message:

[2] Beginning processing Write-ExchangeSetupLog
[2] [ERROR] Failure configuring SearchFoundation through installconfig.ps1 - Error occurred while configuring Search Foundation for Exchange.System.TimeoutException: Timed out waiting for Admin node to be up and running
at Microsoft.Ceres.Exchange.PostSetup.DeploymentManager.WaitForAdminNode(String hostControllerNetTcpWcfUrl)
at Microsoft.Ceres.Exchange.PostSetup.DeploymentManager.Install(String installDirectory, String dataDirectoryPath, Int32 basePort, String logFile, Boolean singleNode, String systemName, Boolean attachedMode) at CallSite.Target(Closure , CallSite , Type , Object , Object , Object , Object , Object , Object , Boolean )
...
[08/30/2013 08:29:04.0660] [2] Ending processing Write-ExchangeSetupLog

In addition, you see errors in the following log files:

  • C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\Bin\Search\Ceres\Installer\log\PostSetup_install_[GUID].log

    Z Info [6] Search Foundation PostSetup - Installation starting. ...
    Z Info [6] Search Foundation PostSetup - Waiting until Admin node fully up and running.
    [.............]
    Z Error [6] Search Foundation PostSetup - Error occurred during installation. System.TimeoutException: Timed l waiting for Admin node to be up and running
    at Microsoft.Ceres.Exchange.PostSetup.DeploymentManager.WaitForAdminNode(String hostControllerNetTcpWcfUrl)
    at Microsoft.Ceres.Exchange.PostSetup.DeploymentManager.Install(String installDirectory, String dataDirectoryPath, Int32 basePort, String logFile, Boolean singleNode, String systemName, Boolean attachedMode)

  • C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\Bin\Search\Ceres\Diagnostics\Logs\ [Database Name].log

    Z Info [6] Search Foundation PostSetup - Installation starting.
    ... Z Info [6] Search Foundation PostSetup - Waiting until Admin node fully up and running. [.............]
    Z Error [6] Search Foundation PostSetup - Error occurred during installation. System.TimeoutException: Timed out waiting for Admin node to be up and running
    at Microsoft.Ceres.Exchange.PostSetup.DeploymentManager.WaitForAdminNode(String hostControllerNetTcpWcfUrl)
    at Microsoft.Ceres.Exchange.PostSetup.DeploymentManager.Install(String installDirectory, String dataDirectoryPath, Int32 basePort, String logFile, Boolean singleNode, String systemName, Boolean attachedMode)

  • C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\Bin\Search\Ceres\Diagnostics\Logs[ServerName-Date].log

    Unexpected Unexpected exception in node activator: System.ArgumentException: An item with the same key has already been added.
    at System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary2.Insert(TKey key, TValue value, Boolean add) at Microsoft.Ceres.CoreServices.Node.BootstrapPropertyLoader.AddEnvironmentProperties(IDictionary2 result)
    at Microsoft.Ceres.CoreServices.Node.NodeActivator.InitializeBootstrapProperties(IDictionary2 overlay) at Microsoft.Ceres.CoreServices.Node.NodeActivator.ActivateNode(IDictionary2 configuration)

Cause

This issue occurs because of a trailing space in the PSModulePath variable in the environment variables.

Screenshot shows a trailing space of the PSModulePath variable in the environment variables.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, remove trailing spaces from the PSModulePath variable. If there are more PSModulePath variables, make sure that they do not contain any trailing spaces. After you remove the trailing space, restart the server.

For more information about how to configure Environment Variables, see Configure an Environment Variable item.