Installing CAS role Exchange 2010
I'm in the process of installing Exchange 2010 into an Exchange 2003 FE/BE environment. For budgetary purposes and to make best use of the existing new hardware I am planning to install the CAS, HT and MBX roles on both new servers. I am also planning to setup a CAS array and a DAG, except I will not load balance the CAS array due to Microsoft limitations and no external hardware load balancer. With that said, I need clarification on the naming convention of the DAG, CAS array and Internet facing name space.
If I want the OWA name to be mail.domainname.com, do I use this same name for the CAS array and/or DAG name?
When prompted for the Internet facing name during the CAS install, will I input the same name during the installation on both CAS servers or is this going to throw an error? If I am not load balancing, I'm confused how both servers can have the same OWA address/configuration?
If I want the OWA name to be mail.domainname.com, do I use this same name for the CAS array and/or DAG name?
When prompted for the Internet facing name during the CAS install, will I input the same name during the installation on both CAS servers or is this going to throw an error? If I am not load balancing, I'm confused how both servers can have the same OWA address/configuration?
there won't be a cas array because that would require a third server or nlb device, so you will need two different internet facing fqdn's. One for each cas server, that is if both cas servers will be internet facing.
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I've read many references online to an option where DAG and CAS array can both be configured/deployed on a 2 server Exchange 2010 environment w/ all 3 roles installed on both servers, while this configuration must sacrifice load balancing it still offers HA.
My plan was to create a CAS array, point the DB's on both servers to the CAS array, and create a DNS record that points the CAS array to ExServer1. I realize that this doesnt offer load balancing, which at this point is fine. If ExServer1 ever fails all I have to do is update the DNS record to point the CAS array to ExServer2.
So...based on this scenario, when I begin the installation on the servers once I do the install on the 1st server should I then go ahead and create the CAS array and the DAG before installing Ex2010 on the second server, or will that even matter? Am I going to be prompted for the "internet facing name" during the installation of CAS on the second server? If so, is it going to let me use the same name that I used on the first installation of CAS?
Lastly, does the DAG get a FQDN? If so, do I need to use the same or different name for the CAS? Does it matter?
Here are a few links i've referenced:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/exchange2010/thread/f307f8f8-ca9d-488a-bee3-deeb0499124c/
http://www.scottfeltmann.com/index.php/2011/09/12/do-i-need-a-cas-array/
I'd really like to hear from an expert whose deployed this same 2 server scenario.
My plan was to create a CAS array, point the DB's on both servers to the CAS array, and create a DNS record that points the CAS array to ExServer1. I realize that this doesnt offer load balancing, which at this point is fine. If ExServer1 ever fails all I have to do is update the DNS record to point the CAS array to ExServer2.
So...based on this scenario, when I begin the installation on the servers once I do the install on the 1st server should I then go ahead and create the CAS array and the DAG before installing Ex2010 on the second server, or will that even matter? Am I going to be prompted for the "internet facing name" during the installation of CAS on the second server? If so, is it going to let me use the same name that I used on the first installation of CAS?
Lastly, does the DAG get a FQDN? If so, do I need to use the same or different name for the CAS? Does it matter?
Here are a few links i've referenced:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/exchange2010/thread/f307f8f8-ca9d-488a-bee3-deeb0499124c/
http://www.scottfeltmann.com/index.php/2011/09/12/do-i-need-a-cas-array/
I'd really like to hear from an expert whose deployed this same 2 server scenario.
ASKER
Update: I've also read references to creating a CAS array and pointing the CAS array name to the DAG IP in DNS, rather than pointing it directly to a physical server such as ExServer1.
Which of these options is the proper/correct option for deploying a CAS and DAG on a 2 server setup w/out load balancing?
Please advise.
Which of these options is the proper/correct option for deploying a CAS and DAG on a 2 server setup w/out load balancing?
Please advise.
ASKER
anyone?
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the question still remains...if deploying CAS array w/ no load balancing and DAG on same boxes, do I point the CAS to the DAG IP or to the IP of one of the CAS servers? See questions and related articles above. I've read references to doing it both ways.
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still wasnt a clear answer to the question.
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