I want to set up backup MX for a client that is running in-house Exchange on SBS 2011. Their ISP has had reliability issues, and when their internet connection is down obviously email stops coming in. Yes- servers are SUPPOSED to re-queue and re-send, but this doesn't always happen. They own several other companies, and one small site has an SBS 2003 server running, but not using the Exchange portion for anything (they have hosted email). I would like to utilize this SBS03 site as a backup MX for their main site, maybe another they own as well. Good scenario from the aspect that they own the equipment, we have complete control over the site, etc. I understand how to condigure DNS zone file for multiple MX records, and how to set up the SBS03 box to receive mail for the other domains, but how does it get delivered to the SBS11 server once that server comes back on line? I know how this was down in 03 to 03 with the SBS smtp connector, but I don't know how to set it up on the SBS 2011 box. Help?? Thanks!

Well, I have to say that I am not a fan of backup MX records. I dont think they serve any purpose. To me it makes more sense to change the provider if there are issues or set up some store and forward capabilities with the ISP in case the connection is down. Having said that, I dont know if this is some SBS thing that you need other than creating a send connector on the backup server, but with SBS there may be a wizard that you need to run so I would ask in that forum instead: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/smallbusinessserver/threads

Hello, I would agree with Andy about getting a new ISP if the one you have is not reliable. It's the most simple fix, and simple is good. The other way you can mitigate downtimes is: Get a second ISP so that you have a secondary Public IP. Get a router like Sonicwall TZ-200 or higher that has 2 WAN ports and supports failover. You will need to set up the second WAN to ISP # 2 and configure port 25 on WAN2 to forward to the Exchange server. In your A records, keep mail.yourdomain.com and add mail2.yourdomain.com to point to the second ISP's IP In your MX records, keep the yourdomain.com with it's relative weight (priority) which is usually 10. Then add a second MX record with a lower priority (higher number) to point to mail2.yourdomain.com. The effect will be that when the mail.yourdomain.com connection fails, the e-mail will go to mail2.yourdomain.com which is on your secondary ISP. Miguel Fra | Falcon IT Services, Miami, FL www.falconitservices.com | www.falconits.com | Blog