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Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 25.Nov.2007 6:55:21 PM

farisnt

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HI
and thanks for reading this
I have some Exchange Cluster Q.. I am not good in cluster things .. so I hope I will find who can help.

I read several topic about add the first Exchange to cluster server, but If I need to install more exchange server like another Exchange Node to the cluster .. is there any configuration I need to do and is any exchange being installed on the same administrative Group will automaticlly joined to the cluster and start working normally

In case an Exchange Server went down, as I read in some articals, that the disaster recovery switch is not enabled when clustering the exchange, so in such this case .. is it normal just to move the resources to the other node and have the exchange uninstalled and reinstalled (or even formated incase of extream damage such viruses...) normally and rejoin the cluster without any problem

Backup methods:
in this case as the backup is being on a shared location for the servers so running backup from a single location is enough or is there any other thing need to be backed on the other servers on the same cluster ( I am talk about Information store only)
and when it come to restore ... where the restore can start from

THanks alot for reading all this post
and reply is really appreciated

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 26.Nov.2007 12:15:41 PM

pjhutch

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1. For every new node you need to configure cluster resources for that server such as drives, network resources, services and so on. New servers are not automatically added to the cluster.

2. I would think s. All you would do is configure the cluster to include your rebuilt server and make it an 'owner' of a group of cluster resources to allow it take over a virtual Exchange server.

3. No need to backup anything else, just backing up the Information store (database and logs) would be enough.

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 26.Nov.2007 1:04:06 PM

farisnt

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Hi
Thanks for the information

Now I had (In a LAB) install the exchange without making the cluster
after installing the exchange I do the cluster
but the problem is the Exchange resources did not show up

and what about incase of moving the Exchange from the Cluster envoriment to a normal without cluster
I mean .. I have 3 Exchange
I need to remove 1 and leave it out of cluster
Thanks

< Message edited by farisnt -- 26.Nov.2007 1:42:54 PM >

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 27.Nov.2007 4:01:04 AM

pjhutch

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I think you need to create the Cluster resources first:

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Creating-Virtual-Server-Exchange-2003-Clustering.html

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Implementing-Two-Node-Cluster-Windows-2003-Enterprise.html

As for moving one out, I would think it you need it to migrate the mailboxes from the 'virtual exchange' server to a real server (so the server name appears in Exchange manager instead of a virtual name).

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 2.Dec.2007 7:18:49 PM

farisnt

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HI
I have a small Q regarding for the cluster resources
as the artical http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Creating-Virtual-Server-Exchange-2003-Clustering.html says that I have to make a new cluster resources for the exchange cluster
this resources should include the Cluster IP and network name and the Physical disk
but what about the default created resources
can I use them or I have to remove them
as the network name will be such the cluster name so users can access the cluster using this name(If My information about this are correct), is it ok to have more than 1 network name in the cluster resources

and why the MSDTC should be in a cluster group alone, not with other resources so incase of server failer it will automaticlly moved to the other passive server (that will become active)

THanks alot

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 3.Dec.2007 6:18:48 AM

a.grogan

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Hiya Fars, normally what you would do is create a new Cluster Group (Called Exchange EVS - or something like that) then add in a Clustered IP address resource a Network Name Resource, and at least one physical disk) - this should not be part of the default "Cluster Group" (by default under Windows clustering a failure to a resource will "affect the group").
You would then create the Exchange System Attendant Resource in the "Exchange-EVS-Group" which then creates the other required resources for the Exchange Virtual Server.

Now in terms of the MSDTC resource there are many schools of thought on this, however many now believe that it is ok to place the MSDTC resource in the Default "Cluster Group" - remember that you will need th MSDTC up and running to install a clustered instance of Exchange.

Cheers

A

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 3.Dec.2007 6:45:57 PM

farisnt

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Hiii all and thanks for your help
I had successfully installed Exchange Cluster and configured it ,, and I would like to know if I can also use the same cluster for File sharing ??

Q: Microsoft says "Note When creating the MS DTC, moving the resource group into a group other than SQL Server or Exchange Server group is highly recommended. Creating the MS DTC resource in its own resource group and assigning it to a separate cluster group keeps the resource highly available.
Note If you create the resource in the same cluster group, and if Resource A has failed over, Resource B will also failover. When you create the resouce in a different cluster group, even when Resource A has failed over, the resource B does not failover. Creating Cluster Resouces in the different cluster groups decreases unnecessary failovers of the Cluster Resouces. "
if server A failover to B, its for sure that all the resources will failover to server B ( so why ???)
adding additional physical disk to the SAN Server, do I have to shutdown the NODES and start them 1 by 1 and setup the new disk setting (format, Drive Letter) or simply can plug and play ( note that the system is hot swapable)

after I install the exchagne Cluster and now its working fine.
I need to move the Log Files for the exchange to another location how ???

< Message edited by farisnt -- 3.Dec.2007 6:49:11 PM >

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 4.Dec.2007 1:45:14 AM

Exchange.Specialist

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***if server A failover to B, its for sure that all the resources will failover to server B ( so why ???)
- Depends are you talking about Exchange / cluster / both resources to fail over. Considering a scenario where node 1 goes down - this itself would trigger a move in resources because by default the keep alive check between the nodes done by exres.dll would send a message stating that node 1 is not responding so time to hijack the resource.

***adding additional physical disk to the SAN Server, do I have to shutdown the NODES and start them 1 by 1 and setup the new disk setting (format, Drive Letter) or simply can plug and play ( note that the system is hot swapable)
- I would believe you do not need to shut down any of the node, simply set up the new disk, create a physical disk resource in clus admin and assign owners to it.

**I need to move the Log Files for the exchange to another location how ???

Use Exchange system Manager to move log files to a new location.

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 4.Dec.2007 7:44:52 AM

farisnt

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HI
I what I was asking about the Failover is not why its happenning , but as MS says that its recommend to have the MSDTC in a cluster group, not with the other cluster group
the Q is if the server fail then even if the MSDTC was in the same cluster group that the EVS is in or not, its going to failove to the other server, so is it a matter of rearrange and keeping everything clear,, or there is any performace changes if the MSDTC was in a new Cluster group

what is the problem is I run Active directory with the exchange Cluster, as I also read that its NOT recommend and may cause several problems
Thanks

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 4.Dec.2007 12:51:34 PM

a.grogan

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Hiya Fars, perhaps this will help,

A long time ago, Microsoft suggested that the MSDTC resources should have their own group (this would include a Disk Resource) - however this school of thought changed over the years to where it is generally accepted that the MSDTC resources can go into the Cluster Group. and utilise the Disk of the Quorum.

Microsoft however, and other strongly suggest that no other resources apart from Exchange Resources should be part of the Exchange Cluster Group.

What you should remember is that the MSDTC is only needed during the installation of Exchange and Service Packs - at all other times it is not needed.
Consider the following scenario - considering that the MSDTC is only important at certain times - why place it in the Important EVS group as if a MSDTC resource fails it will take the Exchange server with it.

Did you also say that on one of the nodes in the cluster you are running as a domain controller?

Cheers

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Andy Grogan
MSExchange.org Forums Moderator
For my general ramblings about Exchange please visit my website:
W: http://www.telnetport25.com/
B: http://telnetport25.wordpress.com/
M: manifoldmaster@gmail.com

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RE: Some Exchange Cluster Q pls - 4.Dec.2007 5:04:49 PM

farisnt

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HI

Thanks for the explination .. I totally understnd the idea thanks all memeber for this

and yes .. its only a Q
is it ok to have a Domain controller and Exchange Cluster on the same node
and is it OK to have other Cluster resources with exchange such File Sharing

THanks

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