How to add exchange cluster server to an exisiting exchange server?
I have an existing exchange server 2003 working fine but to add redundancy I want to put new exchange server in cluster mode using the storage EMC CX300 (available). Please let me know how to proceed & what precautions to take & during this process how users will get effected or is that any way without disturbing user configuration etc.
Thank you for yor support.
Baseer
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ASKED:
August 8, 2009 4:59 PM
UPDATED:
August 12, 2009 8:27 AM
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Answer Wiki:
You are going to need to start from scratch as you can't take a standalone install and turn it into a cluster.
Assuming that you have two new servers for the cluster, build the new cluster. And get everything setup on it. Then move the Exchange mailboxes over to it from the old machine. The users shouldn't need to do anything other than close and reopen outlook. Outlook will query the original server for the mailbox and it will be told the mailbox has been moved to another server.
If you have to use your existing server, then it's a little trickier, but still doable.
Setup the machine which is supposed to be the second node and build a single node cluster out of it, and install Exchange Server on it. This will get you a second exchange server that you can then move all the mailboxes over to. After this is completed, and all the users have begun talking to the new server, take the old server out of the environment and rebuild it. You can then add it as a member of the cluster, install Exchange on it and make the cluster redundant.
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Thank you for your great support. I like the your second option since because the existing server is almost a new server PE2950 and we have an spare 2950 too. So I can build a new server in a cluster mode as server1 and then move the mailboxes to it using storage area, then I will rebuild the old server and join to the cluster as Server2.
Please let me know how may disk partitions should I make in storage for quorum, database etc. and what folder do I keep on the server and what on storage for good performance and redundancy.
I am just waiting for the SAN hardware which already ordered and as soon as I get it, I will start to move on cluster and will contact you again for any hurdles.
Once again thank you for your great help.
Baseer
Assuming the current server is Server1, you’ll want to build the new machine as Server2 in a cluster mode, then move the exchange mailboxes to the Virtual Server on Server2. After this has happened you’ll have some additional config to do in order to remove Server from the Exchange config as it is the first Exchange Server in the forest.
Once all that is done you can remove Server1 and rebuild it and Server1 and add it to the cluster.
You’ll want to layout the disk config in much the same way that you have it setup now. You’ll also need to decide which replication method to use. If you plan on upgrading to Exchange 2010 when it is released you’ll need to not use a single copy replication method as it won’t be supported in Exchange 2010.
Thanks Mr. Denny for your great suggestions, I have a little doubt if you dont mind will you please clear it for me.
As you said, assume the exisitng server is Server1 add new server as Server2 and move mailboxes to Server2 then it needs to have additional configuration to remove server1………what additional configuration do I need to remove Server1,please mention in details.
Baseer.
You’ll need to change the server which created the Offline Address book.
You’ll need to move the public folders as well.
There’s a few other steps which I forget (I’ve had Exchange 2007 for a while now). Hit google and search for “Removing the first Exchange 2003 server” and that should give you some pages that say what you need to change.
Thanks for your suggestions, I will check out in google.