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RPC-HTTP on Active/Passive Cluster - 30.Apr.2008 8:55:23 AM

hongman

Posts: 41
Joined: 13.Jun.2005
From: Harlow
Status: offline

Hi again guys

I was wondering, is it even possible to have RPC-HTTP(S) working on a 2 node A/P cluster?

Everywhere I read online has it working with a frontend server. We have tried everything we can think of and its just not working!

TIA

Hong

Post #: 1

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RE: RPC-HTTP on Active/Passive Cluster - 30.Apr.2008 9:09:11 AM

de.blackman

Posts: 1448
Joined: 4.Apr.2005
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

Hi,

Having an active/passive cluster entails the use of 2 physical servers. Exchange is installed as a cluster aware application that allows it's resources to move from one server to another. RPC over HTTP is an IIS component which is NOT cluster aware, meaning each server still uses its local IIS so in the case of a failover between the nodes, the local IIS on the active server is used. A front-end server is definitely required for this type of configuration

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(in reply to hongman)

Post #: 2

RE: RPC-HTTP on Active/Passive Cluster - 30.Apr.2008 9:11:15 AM

alex.c

Posts: 47
Joined: 12.Jan.2005
From: AT/Vienna
Status: offline

Hi Hong,
I didn't hear anything why it shouldn't work.

You use the Front-End Server for authentication and https.
If you succeed in authenticating, your client is forwarded to the mailbox, regardless on which cluster node the virtual Exchange Server is running.

I guess you have already a white paper or a how to, so I didn't search for it.. ;)
kr, Alex

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(in reply to hongman)

Post #: 3

RE: RPC-HTTP on Active/Passive Cluster - 30.Apr.2008 10:30:42 AM

hongman

Posts: 41
Joined: 13.Jun.2005
From: Harlow
Status: offline

Thanks!

(in reply to alex.c)

Post #: 4

RE: RPC-HTTP on Active/Passive Cluster - 10.Oct.2008 6:56:39 PM

Xaneth

Posts: 103
Joined: 4.May2004
From: Everett, WA
Status: offline

This still doesn't answer the question as to whether it's possible or not. Is it, or is it not? Even though RPC is set up under the default website virtual directory, that can be replicated on all nodes. So again the question, why would this not work?

(in reply to hongman)

Post #: 5

RE: RPC-HTTP on Active/Passive Cluster - 15.Oct.2008 5:49:20 PM

Xaneth

Posts: 103
Joined: 4.May2004
From: Everett, WA
Status: offline

I know it's not recommended, but when you work for cheap companies that will do anything to save the money that it costs to purchase an additional server, along with licensing for both W2K3 server and Exchange 2003 Standard, as well as introduce a single point of failure for outside clients, here's the solution:

The virtual directories created Exchange, on a cluster, is put under the Exchange Virtual Server site vs. the Default Web Site. When you install RPC, it puts the RPC virtual directories beneath the Default Web Site, which will not work, they need to be under the Exchange Virtual Server site. Export the RPC virtual directories by right clicking the VD, All Tasks, Save Configuration to a File... Then import it under the Exchange Virtual Server site by right clicking the EVS, New, Virtual Directory (from file...) and choose the file you saved during the export. You need to do this on all nodes of the cluster.

It will then work!!! A front end server is NOT a requirement, as M$ would have you believe.

< Message edited by Xaneth -- 15.Oct.2008 5:50:24 PM >

(in reply to Xaneth)

Post #: 6

RE: RPC-HTTP on Active/Passive Cluster - 15.Oct.2008 5:52:53 PM

Xaneth

Posts: 103
Joined: 4.May2004
From: Everett, WA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: de.blackman

Hi,

Having an active/passive cluster entails the use of 2 physical servers. Exchange is installed as a cluster aware application that allows it's resources to move from one server to another. RPC over HTTP is an IIS component which is NOT cluster aware, meaning each server still uses its local IIS so in the case of a failover between the nodes, the local IIS on the active server is used. A front-end server is definitely required for this type of configuration

This is true to an extent. "Default Web Site" is not cluster aware because it is not a resource. "Exchange Virtual Server site" is, as it is a resource.

(in reply to de.blackman)

Post #: 7