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Exchange 2010 Disaster Recovery Testing
I've been asked to suggest a method for testing disaster recovery for our Exchange server. We have a single Exchange 2010 box running all the relevant roles.
What I'd like to know is if it's possible to have a second Exchange server in our environment to which I can attach the databases (which I would restore from backup or SAN snapshot) but which otherwise sits unused. Or is there a better way to handle this? I don't want to incur extra licensing charges if it can be helped.
Thanks!
What I'd like to know is if it's possible to have a second Exchange server in our environment to which I can attach the databases (which I would restore from backup or SAN snapshot) but which otherwise sits unused. Or is there a better way to handle this? I don't want to incur extra licensing charges if it can be helped.
Thanks!
ASKER
Okay, so do I need to change the roles on my existing server or can I just add the second box and enable the relevant roles on it as well?
You can have all roles on a DAG member if you wish. No problem there.
Have you implemented an RPC CAS Array? If not, then you should, otherwise in the event of a failover you will have to redirect the clients manually.
You will need a second Exchange licence and if you aren't on Windows 2012 for the host, then both servers will need to be on Enterprise edition of Windows.
Simon.
Have you implemented an RPC CAS Array? If not, then you should, otherwise in the event of a failover you will have to redirect the clients manually.
You will need a second Exchange licence and if you aren't on Windows 2012 for the host, then both servers will need to be on Enterprise edition of Windows.
Simon.
ASKER
Ack, so that won't work then. I need something that won't incur any extra licensing cost. We only have Exchange 2010 Standard on Server 2008 Standard.
What does redirecting clients involve? Can't it be done with DNS?
What does redirecting clients involve? Can't it be done with DNS?
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There are some caveats though. You'll need a lot of storage and a fast network (if you're on a LAN then that will cover your fast network).
See http://www.msexchange.org/articles-tutorials/exchange-server-2010/high-availability-recovery/uncovering-exchange-2010-database-availability-groups-dags-part1.html for more details.