Failover/Clustering newbee Help ? 1

[pctekkk]

sorry for the newbee ?

we currently have an exchange 2003 enterprise
but really need to cluster it/failover.
were doing budgeting and trying to see what
we'll need to purchase(hardware/software wise)
for this project

1. can we/this be done w/out a shared storage
if so how

2. can you cluster/failover w/out a shared storage
if so how

thanks for any info/guidance Gang !!

 

[MoobyCow]

You need to have another Exchange Enterprise /W2k3 Enterprise machine.

You do not need shared storage.

 

[pctekkk]

gotcha

i need to know the software/licesing info i'll need
to setup the second basically how its done ?

thanks

was also looking at Failovergroup.com ??

 

[MoobyCow]

You need 2 licenses for Exchange Enterprise, and 2 for 2003 Enterprise. (one license for each machine)

If you don't want to build a cluster you can buy third party software. Like DoubleTake etc. You'll still need to buy another Exchange license though.

If you're running Enterprise it makes more sense to use a cluster. Third party solutions are mostly for people who don't want to shell out for Enterprise versions.

As for how it's done, that's a little bit outside the scope of a message board. The Microsoft site has some articles that should get you started. Look up Active/passive clusters and Exchange 2003.

 

[pctekkk]

actually i am looking at NeverFailGroup
which is priced at $11k
so i needed to see what hardware/software
is needed to do a cluster
i was told about $40k for software/hardware and assistance installing

do u have an idea of what software would be involved ?
i know that we'll need
another server
shared storage array
to start.........
thanks for any info

 

[MoobyCow]

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Implementing-Two-Node-Cluster-Windows-2003-Enterprise.html

 

[MoobyCow]

What you need for a full cluster:

One site:
2 machines
2 copies Exchange Enterprise
2 Copies W2003 Enterprise
Shared Storage

Off Site
3 Machines
3 Copies Exchange Enterprise
3 Copies W2003 Enterprise

You do not need any other software if you are running a cluster.

If you want to have failover WITHOUT a cluster then you need third party software. (NeverFail)