Exchange 2010 DAG + HA VMware

Similar Questions

• Exchange 2010 (HA) on VMWare

  Hi all

  Can someone please highlight the options/limitations HA to Exchange 2010 on VMWare ESX 3. 5Infrastructure. I read on DAG, but I do not think that it would be supported by Microsoft (on VMWare) the ESX servers are grouped together and using vmotion, HA and DRS and it would be helpful to know whether to use a feature of VMware/exchange to satisfy this requirement.

  We believe using a 3rd party cloud product/service which consists of a web front end bespok application (described above the ' architecture that we do not control / manage underlying) and so we can only assign virtual disks to a single virtual machine so I would also like to know if I get around this without using a shared virtual machine storage...

  Your contribution is appreciated.

  With a view to support Exchange can be deployed on a Cluster of ESX from VMware and be 100% taken in charge by Microsoft and VMware.  If you choose to set up in the Exchange 2010 DAG environment you can still maintain support by Microsoft and VMware by disabling the HA/DRS features for only members of the DAG.  It's strictly a requirement of support, the use of DAG in the breast in a VMware ESX cluster works very well on the technical side of things.  You mention ESX 3.5 so I'll call that in ESX 3.5 VMware HA/DRS should be disabled at the level of the cluster, ESX, ESX 4.0 update 1 changed cela to allow HA/DRS ESX cluster-wide and only requires deactivation at the virtual machine level.

  Regarding storage shared; in a DAG environment only assign you storage to a single virtual machine, there is no storage shared so that shouldn't be a problem there.  However, by VMware support, that data must reside on fibre channel attached storage, no VMFS, or iSCSI.  I have included some links below that will help better understand support of Exchange on VMware solutions.

  -alex

  Setup Microsoft Clustering in a vSphere environment

  http://www.VMware.com/PDF/vSphere4/r40_u1/vsp_40_u1_mscs.PDF

  MS political support for running Exchange in a virtual environment

  http://TechNet.Microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc794548 (EXCHG.80) .aspx

• DPM 2010 will support Exchange 2010 DAG tape backup

  I would use the tape backup in DPM 2010 for Exchange 2010 DAG, not allowing the backup to disk, I don't know why? Can help in any...

  Hello

  Your question of Windows is more complex than what is generally answered in the Microsoft Answers forums. It is better suited for the IT Pro TechNet public. Please ask your question in the DPM Exchange protection forum. You can follow the link to your question:

  http://social.technet.Microsoft.com/forums/en-us/dpmexchbackup/threads

• Reorientation of Exchange 2010 DAG DR - OWA to the primary site server

  Hi all

  Recently, I had a problem with one of our customers Exchange servers.

  Scenario: they have two servers configured as DAG Exchange. We are in production and other is hosted on the website of DR, both servers had their own access OWA through different URLS.

  Problem is when users try to access the OWA DR, it loads the web interface, without any problem, but once they have entered the credentials of the user, it redirects to the active node (production site) OWA and open their emails.

  I checked if there are directions re URL are configured in the DR, but negative exchange server. Earlier, they are used to access OWA both at the same time.

  Any idea on this.

  Thank you

  Hello

  Your question is beyond the scope of this community.

  I suggest that repost you your Question in Exchange for TechNet Forums.

  https://social.technet.Microsoft.com/forums/Exchange/en-us/home?category=ExchangeServer

  Or here:

  https://social.technet.Microsoft.com/forums/Exchange/en-us/home?Forum=exchangesvrgeneral

  See you soon.

• Problem in Exchange 2010 DAG

  I have 2 Infrastructure Exchange exchange design monosite with 1 witness server dag member server what a server down and witness at the same time maintaining all the databases is disassembled and I tried many things to recover the databases but without success are there any method to recover.

  I tried to add a witness server unsuccessfully to have voters 2 VS 1 and the dag reconnects without success if there is no solution to this matter please provide me with steps if I need to beak down the dag, it would be just the solution

  Hello

  Your question is beyond the scope of this community.

  I suggest that repost you your Question in Exchange for TechNet Forums.

  https://social.technet.Microsoft.com/forums/Office/en-us/home?category=ExchangeServer

  Or here:

  https://social.technet.Microsoft.com/forums/Exchange/en-us/home?Forum=exchangesvrgeneral

  See you soon.

• Configure load balancing NETWORK for Exchange 2010

  Hello guys.

  I need help. Where I work, we have a project where we configure Exchange 2010 DAG and some other stuff, and we have 2 ESX with 1 CAD server and a Server CASE/HUB too on both of them and that we want to use the NLB on these two hosts.

  I found this, and this is much like what we want:

  http://KB.VMware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US & cmd = displayKC & externalId = 1006525

  So now our switch we want to create a virtual IP address for each of them, but we are not sure if we need to create a cluster on our servers for this.

  Did someone done this before that could give me some advice or contains information to make this work?

  Thanks for your help.

  Howdy,

  Am I was right assuming you want balancing two virtual computers CASE/Hub and NO servers DAG?  If Yes, then we are good to proceed... (if you want to do DAG servers load balancing, or if the DAG servers have all three roles, MBX/CASE/Hub, then Windows NLB is prohibited).

  You don't need to create a cluster as in MSCS or the Windows failover cluster, but do not create a pool of machines for load balancing.  You must install the components of Windows NLB on each machine virtual (VM Hub/CASE) and then follow the procedures described in this document: http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/implmenting_ms_network_load_balancing.pdf to correctly configure the ESX host.  There are two ways to configure a WNLB, using the multicast and uni-cast (by default).  Uni-cast requires configuration changes side ESX (detailed in the document), multi-cast has some dependencies upstream network, mainly adding static arp entry in the router.

  Take a read through the white book (it was written by VI3, but the same thing applies in vSphere) and let me know if you have any questions.

  -alex

  Check out our Blog: http://blogs.vmware.com/apps

• Need help with Exchange 2010 Diag and implementation

  I NEED HELP FOR EXCHANGE 2010 DAG AND THE IMPLEMENTATION THAT CAN HELP-IM I IN THE RIGHT SUPPORT GROUP?

  Hello HectorLopez_790,

  Microsoft Communities is for consumer issues with Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. Your question with Exchange would be better supported in the TechNet forums.
  Click here for a link to transfer your question in the forums of Exchange.

  Thank you

  Marilyn

• In-Guest iSCSI for Exchange 2010

  Hi, we just built and are ready to go into production with Exchange 2010 using LUNS in guest through the card Microsoft iSCSI initiator iSCSI separate network for iSCSI etc. Load tested with JetStress and everything seems fine. We just found out as snapshots are not supported with iSCSI in guest so we are concerned that the other things work or be taken in charge or another, i.e. of vmotion. So, does anyone know if we lose any other characteristic, and we need to change our minds and using ESX iSCSI? I read pieces on being comparable, that we stuck with a guest performance because that's what we know with our existing Exchange 2007 environment (physical). If we must change, is it simple?

  Hey everyone who is following this thread or found via Google.  It is important to understand what is and is not supported when you are running Exchange on a virtual machine.

  To be absolutely clear, combining Exchange 2010 DAG and migration technologies such as vMotion technology is supported.  You must ensure that you are running at least Exchange 2010 SP1 as well as a version of vSphere that sits on the server virtualization Validation program.

  I think that the link was already posted, but here is the final link:

  http://blogs.technet.com/b/Exchange/archive/2011/05/16/announcing-enhanced-hardware-virtualization-support-for-Exchange-2010.aspx

  More specifically, since the post above (in bold italics):

  Combining Exchange 2010 high availability solutions (database availability groups (DAG)) with hypervisor clustering high availability and migration solutions that will be moving or automatically failover servers for mailboxes that are members of a DAG between clustered root servers, is now supported.

  Improved, that we did in Exchange Server 2010 SP1, with more comprehensive tests of Exchange 2010 in an environment that is virtualized, we are pleased to offer this additional deployment flexibility to our customers. Management of updated support applies to any provider of hardware virtualization that participate in the Windows Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP).

  Logiboy123, can you provide any documents to support the statement that Microsoft does not support this configuration?  The above quotes are directly from Microsoft and are very clear that they support not only the migration of Microsoft technology, but also similar to any other provider of the hypervisor technology, provided that they are in the SVVP program.

  Since vSphere is part of the SVVP, Microsoft has extended support for the technologies of migration such as vMotion, in addition to their own Live Migration.  Of course, simply support something does not automatically make it works.  If you want knots vMotion DAG works correctly, you might have settings described in this blog post extended the cluster heartbeat timeout (also a fully supported configuration change):

  http://www.thelowercasew.com/vSphere-and-Exchange-Admins-can-live-in-harmony-Microsoft-finally-supports-HA-and-VMotion

  To answer the original question in this post, using the Protocol in-guest iSCSI is supported and with vMotion in this configuration is supported as well.  You're not really 'give up whatever it is' using this configuration well so if it meets your needs, I would stick with it.  I prefer generally VMFS just because of the flexibility it offers, but all the world has different requirements and I have absolutely no problem with guest iSCSI if your organization requires it.

  Do not forget that whatever configuration, snapshots of virtual machine are not supported for Exchange. Here is another post which goes into detail on it and cover the declaration of support for Microsoft Exchange 2010 snapshots and machine virtual: http://www.thelowercasew.com/virtual-machine-snapshots-and-tier-1-apps-not-always-supported

  So in general, I would say that provided you are running the correct versions of Exchange and vSphere must then take full advantage of your configuration to use features like vMotion and HA without problem.  If you adjust your settings accordingly cluster heartbeat timeout, you should have no problem using vMotion with your knots of DAG.

  Matt

  http://www.thelowercasew.com

• New to VMware and Exchange 2010

  Hello

  I'm new to VMware and have some questions about the installer.  We just bought a HP DL380 G7 server and Exchange 2010.  I want to virtualize this server with a BES.  I'm trying to understand the best way to proceed.  We also have a Dell EqualLogic iSCSI SAN (PS4000).  Wouldn't it be better for me to boot from SAN and have ESxi installed on the SAN?  Or would it be preferable for ESxi installed on the server and have my VM hosted/installed on the SAN?  Thanks for the help.

  Hello owblueiii,

  I almose same infrastructure such as this, when I started the virtualization process was confused in this place, finally, we kept the boot on local, VMs oniSCSI SAN.

  advantages: 1. because if you have any questions you can the Como.

  2 and also a little difficult to troubleshoot if you have the on iscsi san boot partition.

  3. you can register your vms on san iscsi timing if you want the new ESX installation.

  Hope it's useful to your question.

• vSphere and Microsoft Exchange 2010

  Hello anyone know of a guide of best practices for the configuration of Exchange 2010 on vSphere.  I think mainly to Cluster Dag requriements regarding HA, DRS and FT

  If you have found this device or any other answer useful please consider useful or correct buttons using attribute points

  Tom Howarth VCP / vExpert

  VMware communities user moderator

  Blog: www.planetvm.net

  Author of the contribution on "[VMware vSphere and Virtual Infrastructure Security: securing ESX and virtual environment | ]. [ http://www.amazon.co.uk/VMware-VSphere-Virtual-Infrastructure-Security/dp/0137158009/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8 & s = books & qid = 1256146240 & sr = 1-1] & rdquo; .

  Author of the contribution on "[VCP VMware Certified Professional on VSphere 4 Study Guide: Exam VCP-410 | ]. [ http://www.amazon.co.uk/VMware-Certified-Professional-VSphere-Study/dp/0470569611] ».

  Tom if you can wait a week or two there were also a few sessions at VMworld on this specific topic.  I would like to keep an eye on for them when they go out in public for more information as well.

  -Kyle

  «"RParker wrote: I guess I was mistaken, everything CAN be virtualized"»

• Configuration of Exchange 2010

  We are the conversion of Novell Groupwise to Exchange 2010 this spring and I have a few questions about what VMWare products, we apply the following.

  1 being able to transfer server virtual exchange to another server Vsphere4.  I assume that you would use Vmotion, correct?

  2 implement a DAG (direct bed group) on the initial period of the Exchange Server installation.   That's what I don't understand?  This is a copy of your database to exchange, correct?   In a failover on one VMware Server situation, what other/s of product are needed for the virtual server exchange to transfer on the Vsphere server roles to operate automatically.

  3. we are currently on VSphere 4, standard servers, what level do we need upgrade "Advanced" or "Business" in order to have this capacity?

  I apolgize to my ignorance here, but we just to enter the virtualization and I'm certainly not to speed on all the virtual technologies!

  Thanks in advance

  TAndrist

  I would like to clear a few things here...

  1 Exchange of solutions of high availability with DAG is not similar to the DRS and HA... For DAG you are going to have two replicas (one active and one passive)... VMware HA... just migrate the virtual machine to another host it turn off and turn on/off it.

  2. for the implementation of high availability Exchange, you can configure it with MSCS in VMware (MSCS with Physical to Virtual) environment, MSCS with virtual to virtual, for more details on configuring MSCS in VMware... see http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40_u1/vsp_40_u1_mscs.pdf

  3. my installation works fine with virtual to virtual for quite some time... and I'm happy with it. If the answers to your questions...

  «A. be able to transfer the server virtual exchange to another server Vsphere4.» I assume that you would use Vmotion, correct? »

  Rep. : Using Vmotion you will be able to migrate Exchange VM to fly from one host to another host without any downtime.

  "(B) to implement a DAG (direct bed group) on the initial period of the Exchange Server installation. That's what I don't understand? This is a copy of your database to exchange, correct? In a failover on one VMware Server situation, what other/s product are needed for the exchange server virtual roles of tranfer on the server Vsphere running automatically. »

  Rep. : Yes, it is a copy of your Exchange database. You must have the license for VMware HA and Drs new VMware HA is different and DAG is different.

  "C. we are currently on VSphere 4, standard servers, what level do we need upgrade"Advanced"or"Business"in order to be able to have this capability?

  Rep. : From critical vCenter and Standard Edition we carry licenses for VMware HA and Drs goal once again, this will not fix your goal... you need to look for solution as MSCS.

  Hope I've answered your questions...

  Thank you

  Ramesh. Giacalone,

  VCP 3 & 4, MCTS(Hyper-V).

  Please give points, so useful

• Compellent snapshot for the passive copy of the database Exchange 2010

  Hi all

  I have the following Setup: A DAG with 3 Exchange 2010 mailbox servers, two of them are in the main data center and have the databases and the logs on the local storage. However, the third server is on a Data Center remote for disaster recovery and data bases, and newspapers is the Compellent storage. Of course, because it's my disaster recovery site, the database is a passive copy. However, the Replay 7.1.1.1 Manager Explorer is unable to see data in the section "Exchange shops". But if I turn the databases on this server, and then Replay Manager is able to see. My question is, how can I create snapshots of the passive copy of the database from my Exchange 2010 Server?

  Thank you!

  I confirmed that Replay Manager cannot do that; the reason? Dag have a database and are essentially sending for updating the passive copies of newspapers. Since they are not online and synchronizes the DAG status between servers backup will always attempt to occur on the asset. If only one of your copies of DAG is on an HDS, it will be a more serious problem.

  There is no restriction not to take a replay on passive volume all - except the same caveat that it will be not a quiece at the level of the BONE and being written in the log transactions is not valid. Unlike earlier versions of Exchange IS simply reject these that he committed the paper to the data store (if you try to mount the reading disaster).

• Exchange 2010 on EqualLogic - VMFS volume?

  Hello world

  I'm just in the planning stages of a deployment of Exchange 2010 (updated 03). Although I attended a good amount of EQL webinars on exchange and read probably each best practice doc out there, I can't get a clear answer on a pretty important point - how best to organize storage.  It is a relatively small exchange deployment (500 mailboxes, 1 PS4000XV, 2 Dell R910 on vSphere 5).

  I can't find a consensus on how to organize storage. Ce_que I speak to you is either A) make data changes a simple disk VMDK (in a VMFS on the EQL volume), or B) doing the volume of exchange data sit directly on the SAN (i.e. RDM or iSCSI Target, so that data exchange is not inside VMFS).

  Everything I read seems to say that the ASM / me tools to be able to speak the volume directly on the SAN, making the B option to go with. I know there could be advantages and disadvantages at the same time, so maybe an option isn't a slam dunk, but there opinions out there on the issue? Best practices?

  There is no 'perfect' here answer.  There is what works best for your situation.

  If you want to take advantage of the DSO / offers ME and most do, then you must use invited inside the OS MS iSCSI initiator to connect to volumes of data and logs.   VMFS or RDM does not work

  .  A feature key with Exchange integration is the exchange administrator may without the GUI EQL access, create a recovery storage group and restore individual mailboxes on the fly from a snapshot.  It is run entirely from the ASM / ME GUI.

  You can also schedule consistent snapshots to check with the ESEUTIL command on another node, thus freeing the Exchange Server.   Here's just a sample of the DSO / ME features.

  In addition, for optimal performance, you would have different cards for VMware iSCSI and iSCSI comments traffic.

  Kind regards

  -don

• vSphere 6 and Exchange 2010

  Hi all

  We want to improve our ESXis where are hosted Exchange 2010 VMs. We are planning to upgrade to VMware ESXi 6.0 U1a.

  Do you know if this version of vSphere is supported by Microsoft? Servers OS of Exchange is Windows Server 2012 Standard.

  Thank you

  you are welocme

  Yes, you are right... it is not supported YET... but take in mind that 6.0 U1 was released last month... so you have to wait a few days/weeks until they test the release.

  but it is quite clear that they will also add u1 to list supported... then you can go ahead with the update... don't you worry that

• The Exchange 2010 on Esxi 5.0 virtual machine snapshot

  Dear Experts,

  We have Exchange 2010 VM under windows 2008 R2 on Esxi 5.0. I need to make the updates of windows on this machine. I want to inform if it is okay to take instant Exchange 2010 machine before performing windows updates and then delete the snapshot once the updates are performed successfully, OR it is not good to go for the snapshot and back problems due to the behavior of the application exchange 2010 I/O.

  Please let know us your opinion.

  Kind regards

  Jocelyn

  But by the way in this case once the updates are successful and we want to remove the snapshot that we took earlier by turning off the virtual machine, to remove again he must turn off the Exchange 2010 VM?

  No, you don't have to. turn off the functions of the virtual machine as a precaution to ensure that you capture a consistent instant State of the virtual machine and it is the system of files/databases, in the cases where you may need to restore the virtual computer. It is not necessary when the snapshot is deleted.

  Towards the end of the removal of snapshot operation, the virtual machine will be soon stun/unstunned to merge the last exceptional blocks into the basic disk. This basically any time a break the VM to stop him from delivering IO and the creation of delta data more, but it's transparent to the client (similar to a vMotion). You can see a loss of ping or two, or clusters of DAG can initiate a failover the virtual machine is a little inaccessible, but it should be no. impact on or be heard by the customer.

  Merging delta of the snapshot in the basic disk can take a long time, depending on how big the delta grew at the same time and the amount of data continues to be changed upon removal. The process will put some additional IO load on the storage, so I recommend you usually do the delete operation during off-peak hours. Also, make sure that you have enough free space on the data store to meet the growth of delta file.

  If we don't take any snapshot for this virtual machine, we can also directly proceed the updates of windows as we do in the event of physical Exchange Server, right?

  Yes, there is no difference for physical systems in this regard.