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Thread: Server and exchange clustering over WAN

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Server and exchange clustering over WAN
Andrew <andrew.smith[ at ]rd.com> 10.07.2007 20:06:06
Hi,

I've been tasked to set up a PDC/Exchange server that is currently
running Windows server 2003 std R2 With a redundancy solution that would
involve having another server at a remote site. Whenever the PDC at the
host site goes down it must failover to the remote site with minimal fuss.

I'm aware that the current setup /software/OS won't work with clustering
and wanted to purchase server enterprise edition and exchange
enterprise edition at both sites to comply with the requirements of the
task.

The connection is a 2Mbps bonded ADSL line.

I have a few questions about whether the setup would actually work over
a WAN cnnection. I've read various documents and articles on the net
saying that this is no problem but had a few questions regarding it:


1. Is it possible to cluster a server and exchange 2003 over a WAN
connection?

2. Would a bonded 2Mbps ADSL line be enough to allow replication over
the WAN link

3. Would a Cluster server do what I want i.e allow the node to failover
and allow network users not to notice that the PDC had fallen over?

Thanks for any insight anyone can give me into this subject.

Andrew
Re: Server and exchange clustering over WAN
"Rodney R. Fournier [MVP]" <rod[ at ]die.spam.die.nw-america.com> 10.07.2007 20:24:32
When you say PDC, I am going to assume you mean the FSMO role PDC Emulator
which runs on a Domain Controller. NEVER CLUSTER A DC. NEVER. With that said
you don't need to cluster a DC anyway. Just have 2 or more, since FSMO roles
never automatically transfer. Use AD integrated DNS too, so that DNS is
available.

1. Cluster over a WAN? With one node a each location? Only if you have third
party replication for the shared storage and two SANS. Exchange Server 2007
has other options when SP1 comes out, but nothing right now. You will need
to have under 500ms access times between the servers. You will need 2 VLANS
for the clustered nodes, one for the heartbeat, one for the public traffic.
This is a must, same subnet for the nodes!!!

2. If you still have bandwidth available, what else runs on it? Do a ping
test, and see number 1 for issues.

3. Exchange can. NEVER CLUSTER A DC!

Hopefully this makes sense.

Cheers,

Rodney R. Fournier

MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering Website
http://msmvps.com/clustering - Blog
http://www.clusterhelp.com - Cluster Training
ClusterHelp.com is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner


"Andrew" <andrew.smith[ at ]rd.com> wrote in message
news:%23b9Mq2ywHHA.2304[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text]
> Hi,
>
> I've been tasked to set up a PDC/Exchange server that is currently running
> Windows server 2003 std R2 With a redundancy solution that would involve
> having another server at a remote site. Whenever the PDC at the host site
> goes down it must failover to the remote site with minimal fuss.
>
> I'm aware that the current setup /software/OS won't work with clustering
> and wanted to purchase server enterprise edition and exchange enterprise
> edition at both sites to comply with the requirements of the task.
>
> The connection is a 2Mbps bonded ADSL line.
>
> I have a few questions about whether the setup would actually work over a
> WAN cnnection. I've read various documents and articles on the net saying
> that this is no problem but had a few questions regarding it:
>
>
> 1. Is it possible to cluster a server and exchange 2003 over a WAN
> connection?
>
> 2. Would a bonded 2Mbps ADSL line be enough to allow replication over the
> WAN link
>
> 3. Would a Cluster server do what I want i.e allow the node to failover
> and allow network users not to notice that the PDC had fallen over?
>
> Thanks for any insight anyone can give me into this subject.
>
> Andrew


Re: Server and exchange clustering over WAN
Andrew <andrew[ at ]rd.com> 11.07.2007 13:10:03
Rodney,

Thanks for for detailed response. I just have a question regarding
response:

1. If i'm trying to replicate the entire network for redundancy on a
remote site how would the users log on if the domain controller went
down? Are you suggesting two domain controllers at the host site?

Andrew

Rodney R. Fournier [MVP] wrote:
[Quoted Text]
> When you say PDC, I am going to assume you mean the FSMO role PDC Emulator
> which runs on a Domain Controller. NEVER CLUSTER A DC. NEVER. With that said
> you don't need to cluster a DC anyway. Just have 2 or more, since FSMO roles
> never automatically transfer. Use AD integrated DNS too, so that DNS is
> available.
>
> 1. Cluster over a WAN? With one node a each location? Only if you have third
> party replication for the shared storage and two SANS. Exchange Server 2007
> has other options when SP1 comes out, but nothing right now. You will need
> to have under 500ms access times between the servers. You will need 2 VLANS
> for the clustered nodes, one for the heartbeat, one for the public traffic.
> This is a must, same subnet for the nodes!!!
>
> 2. If you still have bandwidth available, what else runs on it? Do a ping
> test, and see number 1 for issues.
>
> 3. Exchange can. NEVER CLUSTER A DC!
>
> Hopefully this makes sense.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rodney R. Fournier
>
> MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
> http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering Website
> http://msmvps.com/clustering - Blog
> http://www.clusterhelp.com - Cluster Training
> ClusterHelp.com is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner
>
>
> "Andrew" <andrew.smith[ at ]rd.com> wrote in message
> news:%23b9Mq2ywHHA.2304[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Hi,
>>
>> I've been tasked to set up a PDC/Exchange server that is currently running
>> Windows server 2003 std R2 With a redundancy solution that would involve
>> having another server at a remote site. Whenever the PDC at the host site
>> goes down it must failover to the remote site with minimal fuss.
>>
>> I'm aware that the current setup /software/OS won't work with clustering
>> and wanted to purchase server enterprise edition and exchange enterprise
>> edition at both sites to comply with the requirements of the task.
>>
>> The connection is a 2Mbps bonded ADSL line.
>>
>> I have a few questions about whether the setup would actually work over a
>> WAN cnnection. I've read various documents and articles on the net saying
>> that this is no problem but had a few questions regarding it:
>>
>>
>> 1. Is it possible to cluster a server and exchange 2003 over a WAN
>> connection?
>>
>> 2. Would a bonded 2Mbps ADSL line be enough to allow replication over the
>> WAN link
>>
>> 3. Would a Cluster server do what I want i.e allow the node to failover
>> and allow network users not to notice that the PDC had fallen over?
>>
>> Thanks for any insight anyone can give me into this subject.
>>
>> Andrew
>
>
Re: Server and exchange clustering over WAN
"Rodney R. Fournier [MVP]" <rod[ at ]die.spam.die.nw-america.com> 11.07.2007 14:00:06
Put in as many DC's as are needed. How many users at each site? You might
only need 1 DC at each site, though 2 is always nice to have - just in case.

Cheers,

Rodney R. Fournier
MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering Website
http://msmvps.com/clustering - Blog
http://www.clusterhelp.com - Cluster Training
ClusterHelp.com is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner


"Andrew" <andrew[ at ]rd.com> wrote in message
news:e1w%23H07wHHA.4544[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text]
> Rodney,
>
> Thanks for for detailed response. I just have a question regarding
> response:
>
> 1. If i'm trying to replicate the entire network for redundancy on a
> remote site how would the users log on if the domain controller went down?
> Are you suggesting two domain controllers at the host site?
>
> Andrew
>
> Rodney R. Fournier [MVP] wrote:
>> When you say PDC, I am going to assume you mean the FSMO role PDC
>> Emulator which runs on a Domain Controller. NEVER CLUSTER A DC. NEVER.
>> With that said you don't need to cluster a DC anyway. Just have 2 or
>> more, since FSMO roles never automatically transfer. Use AD integrated
>> DNS too, so that DNS is available.
>>
>> 1. Cluster over a WAN? With one node a each location? Only if you have
>> third party replication for the shared storage and two SANS. Exchange
>> Server 2007 has other options when SP1 comes out, but nothing right now.
>> You will need to have under 500ms access times between the servers. You
>> will need 2 VLANS for the clustered nodes, one for the heartbeat, one for
>> the public traffic. This is a must, same subnet for the nodes!!!
>>
>> 2. If you still have bandwidth available, what else runs on it? Do a ping
>> test, and see number 1 for issues.
>>
>> 3. Exchange can. NEVER CLUSTER A DC!
>>
>> Hopefully this makes sense.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Rodney R. Fournier
>>
>> MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
>> http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering Website
>> http://msmvps.com/clustering - Blog
>> http://www.clusterhelp.com - Cluster Training
>> ClusterHelp.com is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner
>>
>>
>> "Andrew" <andrew.smith[ at ]rd.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23b9Mq2ywHHA.2304[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I've been tasked to set up a PDC/Exchange server that is currently
>>> running Windows server 2003 std R2 With a redundancy solution that would
>>> involve having another server at a remote site. Whenever the PDC at the
>>> host site goes down it must failover to the remote site with minimal
>>> fuss.
>>>
>>> I'm aware that the current setup /software/OS won't work with clustering
>>> and wanted to purchase server enterprise edition and exchange enterprise
>>> edition at both sites to comply with the requirements of the task.
>>>
>>> The connection is a 2Mbps bonded ADSL line.
>>>
>>> I have a few questions about whether the setup would actually work over
>>> a WAN cnnection. I've read various documents and articles on the net
>>> saying that this is no problem but had a few questions regarding it:
>>>
>>>
>>> 1. Is it possible to cluster a server and exchange 2003 over a WAN
>>> connection?
>>>
>>> 2. Would a bonded 2Mbps ADSL line be enough to allow replication over
>>> the WAN link
>>>
>>> 3. Would a Cluster server do what I want i.e allow the node to failover
>>> and allow network users not to notice that the PDC had fallen over?
>>>
>>> Thanks for any insight anyone can give me into this subject.
>>>
>>> Andrew
>>
Re: Server and exchange clustering over WAN
Andrew <andrew[ at ]rd.com> 11.07.2007 14:24:25
There are 180 users at the site. The remote site is just for
backup.There are no users there.

Rodney R. Fournier [MVP] wrote:
[Quoted Text]
> Put in as many DC's as are needed. How many users at each site? You
> might only need 1 DC at each site, though 2 is always nice to have -
> just in case.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rodney R. Fournier
> MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
> http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering Website
> http://msmvps.com/clustering - Blog
> http://www.clusterhelp.com - Cluster Training
> ClusterHelp.com is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner
>
>
> "Andrew" <andrew[ at ]rd.com> wrote in message
> news:e1w%23H07wHHA.4544[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Rodney,
>>
>> Thanks for for detailed response. I just have a question regarding
>> response:
>>
>> 1. If i'm trying to replicate the entire network for redundancy on a
>> remote site how would the users log on if the domain controller went
>> down? Are you suggesting two domain controllers at the host site?
>>
>> Andrew
>>
>> Rodney R. Fournier [MVP] wrote:
>>> When you say PDC, I am going to assume you mean the FSMO role PDC
>>> Emulator which runs on a Domain Controller. NEVER CLUSTER A DC.
>>> NEVER. With that said you don't need to cluster a DC anyway. Just
>>> have 2 or more, since FSMO roles never automatically transfer. Use AD
>>> integrated DNS too, so that DNS is available.
>>>
>>> 1. Cluster over a WAN? With one node a each location? Only if you
>>> have third party replication for the shared storage and two SANS.
>>> Exchange Server 2007 has other options when SP1 comes out, but
>>> nothing right now. You will need to have under 500ms access times
>>> between the servers. You will need 2 VLANS for the clustered nodes,
>>> one for the heartbeat, one for the public traffic. This is a must,
>>> same subnet for the nodes!!!
>>>
>>> 2. If you still have bandwidth available, what else runs on it? Do a
>>> ping test, and see number 1 for issues.
>>>
>>> 3. Exchange can. NEVER CLUSTER A DC!
>>>
>>> Hopefully this makes sense.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Rodney R. Fournier
>>>
>>> MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
>>> http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering Website
>>> http://msmvps.com/clustering - Blog
>>> http://www.clusterhelp.com - Cluster Training
>>> ClusterHelp.com is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner
>>>
>>>
>>> "Andrew" <andrew.smith[ at ]rd.com> wrote in message
>>> news:%23b9Mq2ywHHA.2304[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I've been tasked to set up a PDC/Exchange server that is currently
>>>> running Windows server 2003 std R2 With a redundancy solution that
>>>> would involve having another server at a remote site. Whenever the
>>>> PDC at the host site goes down it must failover to the remote site
>>>> with minimal fuss.
>>>>
>>>> I'm aware that the current setup /software/OS won't work with
>>>> clustering and wanted to purchase server enterprise edition and
>>>> exchange enterprise edition at both sites to comply with the
>>>> requirements of the task.
>>>>
>>>> The connection is a 2Mbps bonded ADSL line.
>>>>
>>>> I have a few questions about whether the setup would actually work
>>>> over a WAN cnnection. I've read various documents and articles on
>>>> the net saying that this is no problem but had a few questions
>>>> regarding it:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 1. Is it possible to cluster a server and exchange 2003 over a WAN
>>>> connection?
>>>>
>>>> 2. Would a bonded 2Mbps ADSL line be enough to allow replication
>>>> over the WAN link
>>>>
>>>> 3. Would a Cluster server do what I want i.e allow the node to
>>>> failover and allow network users not to notice that the PDC had
>>>> fallen over?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for any insight anyone can give me into this subject.
>>>>
>>>> Andrew
>>>
Re: Server and exchange clustering over WAN
"Rodney R. Fournier [MVP]" <rod[ at ]die.spam.die.nw-america.com> 11.07.2007 14:34:19
1 DC at each then ;)

Cheers,

Rodney R. Fournier

MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering Website
http://msmvps.com/clustering - Blog
http://www.clusterhelp.com - Cluster Training
ClusterHelp.com is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner


"Andrew" <andrew[ at ]rd.com> wrote in message
news:%23yWVrd8wHHA.4308[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text]
> There are 180 users at the site. The remote site is just for backup.There
> are no users there.
>
> Rodney R. Fournier [MVP] wrote:
>> Put in as many DC's as are needed. How many users at each site? You might
>> only need 1 DC at each site, though 2 is always nice to have - just in
>> case.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Rodney R. Fournier
>> MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
>> http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering Website
>> http://msmvps.com/clustering - Blog
>> http://www.clusterhelp.com - Cluster Training
>> ClusterHelp.com is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner
>>
>>
>> "Andrew" <andrew[ at ]rd.com> wrote in message
>> news:e1w%23H07wHHA.4544[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Rodney,
>>>
>>> Thanks for for detailed response. I just have a question regarding
>>> response:
>>>
>>> 1. If i'm trying to replicate the entire network for redundancy on a
>>> remote site how would the users log on if the domain controller went
>>> down? Are you suggesting two domain controllers at the host site?
>>>
>>> Andrew
>>>
>>> Rodney R. Fournier [MVP] wrote:
>>>> When you say PDC, I am going to assume you mean the FSMO role PDC
>>>> Emulator which runs on a Domain Controller. NEVER CLUSTER A DC. NEVER.
>>>> With that said you don't need to cluster a DC anyway. Just have 2 or
>>>> more, since FSMO roles never automatically transfer. Use AD integrated
>>>> DNS too, so that DNS is available.
>>>>
>>>> 1. Cluster over a WAN? With one node a each location? Only if you have
>>>> third party replication for the shared storage and two SANS. Exchange
>>>> Server 2007 has other options when SP1 comes out, but nothing right
>>>> now. You will need to have under 500ms access times between the
>>>> servers. You will need 2 VLANS for the clustered nodes, one for the
>>>> heartbeat, one for the public traffic. This is a must, same subnet for
>>>> the nodes!!!
>>>>
>>>> 2. If you still have bandwidth available, what else runs on it? Do a
>>>> ping test, and see number 1 for issues.
>>>>
>>>> 3. Exchange can. NEVER CLUSTER A DC!
>>>>
>>>> Hopefully this makes sense.
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>>
>>>> Rodney R. Fournier
>>>>
>>>> MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
>>>> http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering Website
>>>> http://msmvps.com/clustering - Blog
>>>> http://www.clusterhelp.com - Cluster Training
>>>> ClusterHelp.com is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Andrew" <andrew.smith[ at ]rd.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:%23b9Mq2ywHHA.2304[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> I've been tasked to set up a PDC/Exchange server that is currently
>>>>> running Windows server 2003 std R2 With a redundancy solution that
>>>>> would involve having another server at a remote site. Whenever the PDC
>>>>> at the host site goes down it must failover to the remote site with
>>>>> minimal fuss.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm aware that the current setup /software/OS won't work with
>>>>> clustering and wanted to purchase server enterprise edition and
>>>>> exchange enterprise edition at both sites to comply with the
>>>>> requirements of the task.
>>>>>
>>>>> The connection is a 2Mbps bonded ADSL line.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a few questions about whether the setup would actually work
>>>>> over a WAN cnnection. I've read various documents and articles on the
>>>>> net saying that this is no problem but had a few questions regarding
>>>>> it:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 1. Is it possible to cluster a server and exchange 2003 over a WAN
>>>>> connection?
>>>>>
>>>>> 2. Would a bonded 2Mbps ADSL line be enough to allow replication over
>>>>> the WAN link
>>>>>
>>>>> 3. Would a Cluster server do what I want i.e allow the node to
>>>>> failover and allow network users not to notice that the PDC had fallen
>>>>> over?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for any insight anyone can give me into this subject.
>>>>>
>>>>> Andrew
>>>>


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