Exchange 2016 on Windows Server 2016 Standard or Datacenter?

Hi all.
We're deploying Exchange 2016 on-premises with 1 DAG across 2 sites.

Looking back in time, I know that in  Windows Server 2008R2, we had to use the Windows Server Enterprise version because the Windows Server Standard version did not have the Cluster feature.
But now, Windows Server 2016 Standard seems to come with the Failover Clustering feature.

My questions are:
1. Do we need to install Exchange in Windows Server 2016 Standard or Datacenter to have a DAG??
2. Is the Windows Server Standard "Clustering feature" enough or does the Windows Server Datacenter version have more Clustering features/capabilities?
3. Are there any other underlined features on Windows Server Datacenter version that we would need for Exchange 2016?

Thank you all.
Adriano GasparAsked:
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Jose Gabriel Ortega CastroCEOCommented:
1. Any of both (that's an exchange feature not OS feature).
2. Datacenter contains more clustering features.
3. Not at all they are all in the prerequisites of exchange server 2016
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb691354%28v=exchg.160%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396
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Adriano GasparAuthor Commented:
Hi Jose and thanks for your comment.

Regarding question 1, yes, I know DAG is an Exchange feature, but it relies on the OS Cluster, hence my question.
Regarding question 2, do you know what extra Clustering features has the Datacenter version?
Thank you
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Hasin Ahmed ChoudharyExchange AdministratorCommented:
Regarding question 1, yes, I know DAG is an Exchange feature, but it relies on the OS Cluster, hence my question.
Regarding question 2, do you know what extra Clustering features has the Datacenter version?

Yes, it relies on clustering feature for a quorum calculation. No specific difference in that feature.

In case you are interested to know the difference in other features :
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/ausoemteam/2017/03/03/comparison-of-standard-and-datacenter-editions-of-windows-server-2016/
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Jose Gabriel Ortega CastroCEOCommented:
I know DAG is an Exchange feature, not that I know. it's an exchange feature and it depends on how you deploy it and the exchange versions.

Here's the details:
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/ausoemteam/2017/03/03/comparison-of-standard-and-datacenter-editions-of-windows-server-2016/
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Adriano GasparAuthor Commented:
Hi Hasin. Thanks for your answer. So, it seems there's no difference in the Clustering feature between the Windows Server Standard and Datacenter versions. Great.

Jose, I appreciate your comments, but they're not really giving me much info.
On your first comment you say that the Datacenter contains more clustering features, but on the second comment you sent me the link for the editions comparison, which t doesn't specify any differences regarding clustering!
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Jose Gabriel Ortega CastroCEOCommented:
Omg...

Storage Replica      standard (No) Datacenter (Yes)

What is storage replica? : https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-replica/storage-replica-overview

Storage Spaces Direct      standard (No) Datacenter (Yes)

What are Spaces Direct?  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-spaces/storage-spaces-direct-overview

Those are the features..., you can't find useful my links because you can't read the information as it should.
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Adriano GasparAuthor Commented:
Jose, my question was about Exchange with DAG and what version of Windows server 2016 would have all the necessary clustering capabilities to serve this purpose, not other Windows server features related with how to treat storage and capabilities.

All good, I understand your answer.

Thank you for your input.
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Jose Gabriel Ortega CastroCEOCommented:
As my initial answer was, DAGs are a  general thing for exchange servers.
If you want the clustering feature for exchange server's DAG, there's nothing because it's an exchange feature as I already said.

This means that it doesn't depend on the OS where is built... it depends on the exchange server version.
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Adriano GasparAuthor Commented:
“This means that it doesn't depend on the OS where is built... it depends on the exchange server version.”

Well, not really, it’s quite the opposite!!!

You can have DAG on either Exchange Standard or Enterprise, both support it.
But a DAG relies on the OS clustering feature, therefore, if the OS doesn’t have clustering, you cannot create a DAG!
That’s why you had to install Exchange on Windows Server 2008 and 2008R2 Enterprise version, because the Standard version didn’t have clustering!

On Windows Server 2012 the Standard version is enough to have DAG.
2016 I wasn’t 100% sure, but it seems so, as well.
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Seth SimmonsSr. Systems AdministratorCommented:
No comment has been added to this question in more than 21 days, so it is now classified as abandoned.

I have recommended this question be closed as follows:

Split:
-- Jose Gabriel Ortega C (https:#a42461775)
-- Hasin Ahmed Choudhary (https:#a42461940)
-- Jose Gabriel Ortega C (https:#a42463283)


If you feel this question should be closed differently, post an objection and the moderators will review all objections and close it as they feel fit. If no one objects, this question will be closed automatically the way described above.

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