Hello all, I'm not an Exchange guru and I've done so much reading in TechNet I can't see the forest for the trees. We have just purchased two identical Dell server 2008 Enterprise x64 servers and 1 Exchange 2007 Enterprise server. Our desire is to have 2 node CCR but we also want high availability for the rest of the Exchange server. Researching I see that having multiple (in our case 2) boxes with edge/hub on them and then configure my internal DNS for multiple MX records. Is this the correct path to take? If so as far as the Exchange 2007 Enterprise server I have. Will we need to purchase another enterprise license for the 2 edge/hub servers? Forgot to mention we do currently have an exchange 2007 standard server setup and running in our domain. Thanks so much, -Roger

The minimum you'll need for high availability for all roles: 1. 2 servers dedicated to Mailbox Role for CCR (Can only install Mailbox role with CCR) 2. 2 servers with HUB/CAS installed on them. CAS will utilize NLB and HUB will be redundant on its own for AD mail. 3. 2 servers with Edge installed on them. Edge will be made redundant by MX records and mail destined for HUB Transport Servers will be made redundant by having the 2 Edge Servers sending to both HUBs. An Edge is not a HUB Server. They're two roles. HUB is only supported in your internal environment while Edge is a non-domain joined server in the DMZ which obtains its organizational data over a process called Edgesync. Edge Servers are optional in which you can decide to open 25 to your HUB Servers and just MX send to your HUB Servers. MVP | MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator | MCTS: OCS + Voice Specialization | http://www.shudnow.net

I concur with Elan.Just additional references on planning HA for Exchange 2007... High Availability http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124721.aspx High Availability Strategies http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb123523.aspxAmit Tank | MVP Exchange Server | MCITP: EMA | MCSA: M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

Thank you Elan and Amit...Would it not be possible to run the other roles on a single box, actually 2 boxes with the MX records configured properly? In other words if the edge role is optional and we choose not to use it but still want to serve upinternet as well as internal email (from behind an ISA2006 server as well as a Mailfoundry device for internet email).If so, what about the exchange licensing on those two boxes?Thanks for such rapid responses.-Roger

Like I said, what I posted was the "minimum" to achieve High Availability but you could throw the 2 Edge Servers out the window. You absolutely can't host any roles besides the Mailbox role on an Exchange 2007 clustered server. The setup prevents you from doing so. If you don't go with 2 Edge Servers, you'll have 2 Clustered Mailbox Servers and 2 HUB/CAS Servers. I'd still advise you to do things such as do scanning in the cloud via Hosted Forefront Security for Exchange or have an SMTP Appliance such as an Ironport. And then throw in ISA there for secure proxying. But again, what I wrote above is minimum.MVP | MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator | MCTS: OCS + Voice Specialization | http://www.shudnow.net

Thank you again.And the licensing on the 2 HUB/CAS servers? I'm hoping that the2007 Enterprise license that I install the mailboxes CCR with can be used onone of them for the HUB/CAS. Basically I have 1 exchange 2007 enterprise server now and 1 Exchange server 2007 standard edition. What else in Exchange licensing will I need to setup the 2 HUB/CAS boxes? I appreciate your patience with me.-Roger

For Exchange Server licenses, you would only need Exchange Enterprise on your CCR Cluster Nodes. HUB/CAS with NLB would only need Exchange Standard. I would talk with a Microsoft licensing specialist to ensure what you're planning on doing is compliant with the licenses you're receiving from both an OS/Exchange/Client licensing perspective.MVP | MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator | MCTS: OCS + Voice Specialization | http://www.shudnow.net

No, unfortunately you need to have a license for each Exchange server installed on a OS, including passive node of CCR. So total 2 Enterprise for 2 CCR nodes and 2 standard for HUB/CAS NLB.Amit Tank | MVP Exchange Server | MCITP: EMA | MCSA: M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

Thank you Elan. You have been extremely helpful. Both of you have been very helpful.-Roger

You're welcome. :)MVP | MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator | MCTS: OCS + Voice Specialization | http://www.shudnow.net