how to build Exchange 2013 lab system

currently we have 2007, 2010 lab environment.

need to deploy 2 node Exchange 2013 where both nodes have CAS and Mailbox roles, to the existing lab environment.

I need assistance to find workable documentation with steps to create deployment. being a lab we thinking the Microsoft Load Balancer should be supportable with our load and testing. trying to mimic a customer environment but on a smaller scale.

August 7th, 2015 1:40pm

You're welcome to search the Internet for instructions because that's what I'd have to do.

I don't know what you mean by "Microsoft Load Balancer".  I've never heard of such a thing.  If you're thinking of Windows Network Load Balancing, it won't coexist with a Database Availability Group, so you'd need to obtain some kind of third-party load balancer, or just use round-robin DNS since it's just a lab.  In production you'd want a physical or virtual load balancer like a Kemp LoadMaster.

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August 7th, 2015 9:06pm

Links you can work on -

Installing Exchange 2013 - 

http://careexchange.in/how-to-install-exchange-2013-sp1-on-windows-server-2012-r2/

Creating DAG - 

http://careexchange.in/how-to-create-a-database-availability-group-in-exchange-2013/

Get a hardware Loadbalancers like Kemp - Works well with Exchange 2013


August 8th, 2015 11:22am

If you are willing to use WNLB then you should install CAS and MBX on different VMs. 

How many users you are going to test?

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August 8th, 2015 10:38pm

The best high level overview for Exchange migrations and co-existance would be the Exchange Deployment Assistant. Check it out.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dn756393.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

Will.

August 8th, 2015 11:33pm

under 100 test mailboxes.

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August 11th, 2015 10:48am

I will look into Kemp load master.
August 11th, 2015 10:51am

thank you for your reply I will research your information.
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August 11th, 2015 10:51am

thank you I will look into this
August 11th, 2015 10:52am

You didn't indicate if your lab is a virtual environment or not; if it is, Kemp offers a trial run of their virtual load balancer (http://kemptechnologies.com/server-load-balancing-appliances/virtual-loadbalancer/vlm-download/) and they have a free use load balancer (http://freeloadbalancer.com/) as well.  Obviously the "free" load balancer is highly limited on options/connections but it's worth looking in to. 
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August 11th, 2015 11:10am

yes it is VMware based environment in my lab.
August 11th, 2015 11:39am

WNLB will be good enough for 100 users. I have configured it for over 1000 users.

If you wish to configure WNLB then here is my blog - http://msexchangeguru.com/2013/08/14/windowsnlb/


If you will be buying load balancer then test the lab with the load balancer else plan for separate CAS and MBX role.

So design the solution for the production 1st and repro the same in the lab

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August 11th, 2015 12:39pm

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