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Exchange 2003 Network Design Question
We are currently planning a Groupwise to Exchange conversion (I know---why go to Exchange, but we were told we had to). My task is to come up
with the most secure, yet functional implementation of the server layout / design. We have a heavy use of OWA and about 1000+ accounts. What
would be the best way to setup the design? We are to use an appliance for the SPAM / AntiVirus as well. I am stuck between Barracuda and Symantec's 8200 series. I currently have though of 4 different layouts...
We have a Firewall - DMZ - Internal Network
1. FW | Appliance + Front End Servers | FW | Back End Servers and AD
I put this in just so I could shoot it down. I am not planning on this but maybe the experts think it is the best.
2. FW | Appliance + Apache on sun/linux | FW | Front End Servers, Back End Servers, and AD
I am leaning towards this approach
3. FW | Appliance + ISA Server | FW | FES, BES and AD
MS recommends the ISA server obviously but it seems overkill in my situation
4. FW | CipherTrust Appliance + CipherTrust proxy | FW | FES, BES, AD
Cipher Trust supposedly has 2 appliances that can do the proxying and AntiVirus / AntiSpam (We are still researching)
Does anyone have any suggestions on what layout to use and what appliance to go with? There really is not a budget. I was told to make it work
in the most effective yet secure way :)
with the most secure, yet functional implementation of the server layout / design. We have a heavy use of OWA and about 1000+ accounts. What
would be the best way to setup the design? We are to use an appliance for the SPAM / AntiVirus as well. I am stuck between Barracuda and Symantec's 8200 series. I currently have though of 4 different layouts...
We have a Firewall - DMZ - Internal Network
1. FW | Appliance + Front End Servers | FW | Back End Servers and AD
I put this in just so I could shoot it down. I am not planning on this but maybe the experts think it is the best.
2. FW | Appliance + Apache on sun/linux | FW | Front End Servers, Back End Servers, and AD
I am leaning towards this approach
3. FW | Appliance + ISA Server | FW | FES, BES and AD
MS recommends the ISA server obviously but it seems overkill in my situation
4. FW | CipherTrust Appliance + CipherTrust proxy | FW | FES, BES, AD
Cipher Trust supposedly has 2 appliances that can do the proxying and AntiVirus / AntiSpam (We are still researching)
Does anyone have any suggestions on what layout to use and what appliance to go with? There really is not a budget. I was told to make it work
in the most effective yet secure way :)
ASKER
By having the Front End Servers in the DMZ, do you not have to open a TON of ports including all the RPC ports, not just 443 and 25? I am new to the Exchange world. I supported Lotus Notes and Groupwise on the perimeter end by using postfix among other Internet Email solutions so this is
kind of new to me.
Thanks!
kind of new to me.
Thanks!
From the FE server to your BE and AD server, yes there are a number of ports that need to be open. From the Internet to the FE you only need to open 443 if you are just going to use them for OWA and RPC over HTTP. You will be using your appliance for SMTP traffic so the FE server won't need to send/receive SMTP to the Internet.
JJ
JJ
ASKER
We are actually going to use the FE servers for OWA, OMA, and Public Folders but yes it should only be 443. From a security standpoint is that more secure than having a linux / sun box proxying to the FE severs on the inside? I am just a little leary of putting Exchange Servers in the DMZ (even though the only ports open to the outside is minimal). That was my thought anyway so I am asking the experts.
To be honest, I'm not a security expert so I can't really give an expert opinion on which method is more secure. Like you said though, the exposure would be minimal and any potential attack over port 443 would probably be sent by the Linux proxy to the FE server anyway.
JJ
JJ
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ASKER
We have Apache "experts" in the company that has experience doing this so it should not be an issue. We would just proxy all (i use that loosely) 443 requests inside the FW to the FE servers. That way there isn't a plethera of "risks" with open ports and vulnerable OS's exploits in the DMZ.
The primary concern must be what skills you have - without the skills then your security is compromised, because you cannot recognise what the problem is.
Therefore if you have the skills in house - and will retain the skills (ie if someone was to leave they would be replaced) then go with what you can do.
Simon.
Therefore if you have the skills in house - and will retain the skills (ie if someone was to leave they would be replaced) then go with what you can do.
Simon.
Solution 1 is the best solution (IMHO). You want your FE servers in your DMZ, that is the whole point of the FE servers. You expose them instead of your mailbox server and you don't need to punch a hole through your firewall from the Internet to your internal network. Use your appliance to handle incoming and outgoing SMTP traffic (BTW - I recommend you look at Tumbleweed) and use the FE server for OWA and RPC over HTTP traffic.
JJ