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How to setup an Exchange 2003 cluster

 

Shijaz Abdulla, MVP

www.shijaz.com/exchange

 

This article explains how to setup a two-node active-passive Exchange 2003 cluster on Windows 2003 Enterprise.

 

Pre-requisites

 

To successfully complete the procedures mentioned in the article, you need the following:

  • Basic understanding of clustering, active-passive nodes, public network, private network etc. This article just provides step-by-step information on how to install an Exchange cluster and get it up and running.
  • Verify that you meet that you meet the requirements for running the cluster service (for Windows 2000, click here; for Windows 2003 click here)
  • If you are installing Exchange 2003 SP1 on the cluster, you may need an additional hotfix that can be download from the Microsoft Website.
  • You need Exchange 2003 Enterprise Edition for clustering.

 

Step 1.         Installing a Windows 2003 Cluster

 

1.    Make sure that all hardware & software prerequisites are met. Perform these steps on the first node. Keep the second node powered off.

 

2.    Install Cluster Administrator from Add/Remove Programs à Add/Remove Windows Components.

 

3.    Start Cluster Administrator (Start à Administrative Tools à Cluster Administrator)

 

4.    Select Create New Cluster and click OK.

 

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5.    Specify the domain and cluster name.

 

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6.    Select the name of the first node.

 

7.    Choose Typical (full) configuration. Click Next.

 

8.    Configuration Analysis will run.

 

 

9.    The Wizard automatically associates the cluster IP address with one of the public networks. Click Next.

 

 

 

 

10.  Choose the account for running the cluster service. (must be member of Administrators group, Password never expires/User cannot change password)

 

 

11.  See the summary, and click Next. Cluster creation will proceed and notify you of the completion.

 

Step 2.         Create MSDTC Resource

 

1.    Start Cluster Administrator (Start à Administrative Tools à Cluster Administrator)

 

2.    Create a new group named “MSDTC Group” (File à New à Group)

 

3.    Create an IP Address resource:

 

                                         i.    Right-click MSDTC Group and choose New à Resource. Give a descriptive name (like MSDTC IP Address). Under Resource Type, click IP Address, select MSDTC Group and click Next.

 

                                        ii.    In Possible Owners, select all nodes and click Next.

 

                                       iii.    Under Dependencies, simply click Next.

 

                                       iv.    In TCP/IP Address Parameters, select the public network. Type unique static IP address for MSDTC group. This should be unique and unused (different from your cluster IP and your public IP).

 

                                        v.    Click Finish. Click OK.

 

4.    Create a Network name resource:

 

                                         i.    Right-click MSDTC Group and choose New à Resource. Give a descriptive name (like MSDTC Network name). Under Resource Type, click Network Name, select MSDTC Group and click Next.

 

                                        ii.    In Possible Owners, select all nodes and click Next.

 

                                       iii.    Under Dependencies, select MSDTC IP Address and click Next.

 

                                       iv.    Under Name, enter network name for the MSDTC resource and click Next. This name will be used by the users to access the Exchange cluster.

 

                                        v.    Click Finish. Click OK.

 

5.    Create a Physical disk resource (if it does not already exist, else proceed to 6)

 

                                         i.    Right-click MSDTC Group and choose New à Resource. Give a descriptive name (like MSDTC Physical disk). Under Resource Type, click Physical disk, select MSDTC Group and click Next.

 

                                        ii.    In Possible Owners, select all nodes and click Next.

 

                                       iii.    Under Dependencies, simply click Next.

 

                                       iv.    Under Disk Parameters, select the disk that you want to use for MSDTC.

 

                                        v.    Click Finish. Click OK.

 

6.    Create the MSDTC resource

 

                                         i.    Right-click MSDTC Group and choose New à Resource. Give a descriptive name (MSDTC Resource). Under Resource Type, click Distributed Transaction Co-ordinator, select MSDTC Group and click Next.

 

                                        ii.    In Possible Owners, select all nodes and click Next.

 

                                       iii.    Under Dependencies, select both MSDTC Physical Disk and MSDTC Network Name (which you just created).

 

                                       iv.    Click Finish. Click OK.

 

                                        v.    Right click MSDTC Resource and choose Bring Online.

 

Step 3.         Install Exchange 2003

 

1.    Install Exchange 2003 on each node.

 

2.    Install hotfix 831464 on each node if required.

 

3.    Install Exchange 2003 Service Pack 1 on each node.

 

Step 4.         Create Exchange Virtual Server

 

1.    Make sure all resources are online. Right click on the Exchange cluster group and choose New Resource.

 

2.    Specify a name such as System Attendant. Select Microsoft Exchange System Attendant as Resource Type.

 

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3.    Add the nodes that will be possible owners to this resource. Add the nodes that you have included in the cluster. These nodes can be “possible owners” meaning that failover can take place on any of these nodes.

 

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4.    Set the dependencies on the System Attendant Resource. The following are the dependencies:

 

                                         i.    Network name resource

                                        ii.    Disk Resources that Exchange should use (If you want to keep logs an data on separate disks, include two disks)

 

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5.    Select the Administrative Group.

 

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6.    Choose the Routing Group where the Exchange Virtual Server should reside within the Administrative Group.

 

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7.    See the summary carefully. Click Finish.

 

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8.    When the process is complete you will be notified.

 

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9.    Once EVS is created, the other Exchange resources are automatically created. But they will all appear offline.

 

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10.  Bring online the Exchange System Attendant Resource you just created. To do this, right click the resource and choose Bring Online.

 

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11.  Your Exchange 2003 cluster is now ready. Thoroughly test failover. Enable failback if required and test that too.

 

Migrating from Exchange 5.5/2000 Standalone to Exchange 2003 cluster

 

Generally, migration from a standalone to a cluster does not add much complexity to the scenario than a standalone to standalone migration.

 

For most scenarios, simply set up the Exchange cluster on new hardware and perform a normal migration. For more details on migration strategies, see the migration section at www.shijaz.com/exchange.

 

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Related Information

Cluster Configuration Checklist from IT Showcase for Exchange 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=0E9B809D-2A7A-4ADF-9FDE-897210A461DB&displaylang=en

Guide to Creating and Configuring a Server Cluster under Windows Server 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/clustering/confclus.mspx

How to configure Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator on a Windows Server 2003 cluster
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301600

High Availability Guide for Exchange 2003
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/2003/library/highavailgde.mspx

How to install Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 1 in a clustered Exchange environment
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;867624

 

Disclaimer

 

The steps mentioned in this are results of testing in a lab environment. The procedure might require additional testing before being deployed on a live environment. I assume no responsibility for damage(s) occurring due to following this procedure or any other procedure listed on this site. Use it at your own risk!