creating a backup/standby server 1

[jcck2003]

Hi All:

is there any good article about creating a backup / standby Exchange server ?

Also we are in the process of upgrading from NT domain to 2000 Activty directory domain, any thing we should do if we have a Exchange server 5.5 sitting on a NT BDC ? or the OS upgrade effect the Exchange server's operation ?

Thanks
JD

 

[fuego007]

I'll tackle question number one,and leave the second for someone else!

The best way to create a backup Exchange server is to put the server you plan to use on a segregated network (a standalone switch or hub will work) with another computer you can use as your domain controller - NT4 PDC. Set the domain controller up to look like your working PDC, and create an account that is identical to your existing Exchange Service Account. Next, set up your backup Exchange server using the same name as your production server. Configure it just as your production server is, including the service pack, and running the optimizer and having it place log files and databases on the same drives as your production server. Once all this has been done, set all the Exchange services to manual startup, then stop the Exchange services. Make the server a member of a workgroup (the name of the workgroup doesn't metter, as this is only temporary), then change the name of the server to something like Exchange_Backup. Connect the server to your production network, and add it to the domain.

If you ever need to use this server as your production server, you will need to perform one of the following procedures:

Option A - if the existing server is not functioning.

1. Remove the existing server from the domain through server manager.
2. Wait for the old server to go away.
3. Rename your backup server with the name of your old server.
4. Set the Exchange services to Automatic startup and start the services.
5. Restore from backup. This step may require installation of the backup agent for your backup system.

Option B - if the existing server is still functional and the Exchange databases are OK (i.e. in a consistent state).

1. Set all Exchange services to manual startup, and stop the services.
2. Rename the server.
3. Remove the old server name from the domain.
4. Wait for the server name to go away.
5. Rename the backup server using the old server's name.
6. In each of the following folders on the new server, create a folder named 'Hold' and move the contents of the parent folder into it:
x:\Exchsrvr\mdbdata
x:\Exchsrvr\dsadata
x:\Exchsrvr\mtadata
x:\Exchsrvr\imcdata
Do this on ALL drives!
7. COPY the data corresponding to these folders from the old server to the new server. Be careful to move data from drive C: on the old to drive C: on the new!
8. Open a DOS window. Switch to the directory containing the priv.edb.
9. Start the Exchange Directory service.
10. Run the following command: C:\Exchsrvr\bin\isinteg -patch.
11. If you receive a message that the database has been successfully updated, start the remaining Exchange services.
12. If you have an internet mail connector, delete it and re-create it.

Good Luck,
Bob