This is the first time I am dealing with Exchange server. I would like to know, is it possible for me to install Exchange server 2013 on the same machine running my Active directory? Should I have separate machines for the AD and Exchange Server 2013 but on the same domain?

Hi, It is possible and supported to install Exchange on Domain Controllers, BUT not recommended. See the section Directory server architecture in Exchange 2013 System Requirements Martina Miskovic

Thank you that was very helpful. I finished installing Exchange server 2013 but the Microsoft Exchange Active Directory Topology service refuses to start. It gives me this error: Error 1053:The Service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion. What can I do?

Is this the only service that can't start? Or there are also others? And did you try to start it manually? It is likely that this issue has something to do with running Exchange on a DC.Please mark as helpful if you find my contribution useful or as an answer if it does answer your question. That will encourage me - and others - to take time out to help you. Thank you! Damir

Is this the only service that can't start? Or there are also others? And did you try to start it manually? It is likely that this issue has something to do with running Exchange on a DC.Please mark as helpful if you find my contribution useful or as an answer if it does answer your question. That will encourage me - and others - to take time out to help you. Thank you! Damir

The services that can't start are dependent on MSADTopology service among others. Full scenario: I have two virtual machines called ADServer and ExchangeServer. The domain is stella2.com and is running on ADServer. I joined Exchange Server to this domain and logged in to ExchangeServer again using a user that had admin, enterprise (etc) rights. I then installed exchange 2013 on the ExchangeServer after installing all the prerequistes. At the end of the setup I ticked the "Launch Exchange Administration Center after finishing Exchange Setup" box but it didnt launch. On Exchange Management shell, as I was trying to verify the installation, it refuses to connect to "STELLAEXCHANGE.stella2.com" (STELLA is the name of the org :-) ) I don't understand what went wrong in this experimental setup. Any ideas?

Did you restart the Exchange server after installing? If not, that is required.Rajith Enchiparambil | http://www.howexchangeworks.com |

I restarted the server. Let me do it again, I might find out what I missed. Thank you.