front end, back end?

[koolage]

hey all, thanks for stopping by today!

front end server and back end server....question is

can a exchange box be both at the same time?


also,
Active/active vs. active/passive
if you have 2 exchange servers, could you setup as active/passive or would it have to be active/active?

thanks for any comments.

 

[58sniper]

A front end server typically doesn't have mailboxes on it. Backend servers do. If you have, say a single Exchange server, then there really isn't a front end/back end situation. Even if multiple servers exist, and they all have mailboxes or Public Folder shares, you're not dealing with a FE/BE scenario.

Front end servers work great when you have OWA in your DMZ, and multiple mailbox servers in your internal network.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[nickpark]

An exchange 2-node cluster has to be active/passive.

You can set it up to be active/active but everyone will scream at you because it's not recommended. In fact it's completely discouraged by ms.