Hi,

We are in need of another server in our deployment to handle the growing demand of mailboxes.

From what i understand, a DAG should be a similar server with the equavilent number of disks with the correct size?

Are a DAG the best way to go or should we have two separate servers?

I am also a bit confused about the deployment. When I install Exchange I have no option to leave it outside the current deployment..?! Will it automatically start taking on client requests?

Hello

not need similiar server.
you need what you want. if not need fully HA only "VIP" database then only need disk for that database and not need very strong hardver if only activating passive copy when strong server patching or disaster recovery..
you need specified what you want or your SLA...

Hi, No worries and thanks for your reply.

My current scenario is that I need to migrate 200+ mailboxes to our Exchange environment.

Earlier PST imports has put to much pressure on the current servers and Search and Indexing has been suffering and not been working while I have imported data. We have currently 3 databases on 1 Server, and 1 server that is acting as CAS only.

So what I basically need is a second "database" server. The HA scenario is not my biggest concern at the moment. I need somewhere to import the data to and not risk to fill up disk where my current databases are.

However, preferably I don't want the new server to act as a CAS, is that possible?

Hello

if not need HA form mailbox simply install new mailbox server and use.
not need additional CAS for new mailbox server.

Yes that was my first thought as well.

But in 2013 you have no option to do so right? The Mailbox server role is somewhat involved in CAS stuff from what I understand. 

I will investigate it further, but it's wierd that kind of information cannot be found anywhere.

There is no "Hub Transport" role in Exchange 2013 any longer; the tasks/processes that comprised the 'hub transport' role have been split up and spread between the mailbox role and the CAS role. You can have a standalone mailbox server and a standalone CAS server (in Exchange 2013).

Don't confuse this with maybe what you heard about Exchange 2016, where there is no CAS role; there is only a Mailbox role and an Edge role.

Hello Joakim;

Yes the DAG is the best choice for your scenario, Just add another Mailbox server to DAG, if you don't have a DAG implemented you can add the new Mailbox server to you exchange organization, then configure the DAG. 

for the client requests or connection, you need a load balancer like a F5 or dns round robbin (this is not recommended.)

for configuring a DAG have a look on this website.

https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/office/Install-Exchange-server-b5cce9e4

Remember to mark as helpful if you find my contribution useful or as an answer if it does answer your question.

• Edited by Jörg-Devoteam 22 hours 36 minutes ago typo

for the client requests or connection, you need a load balancer like a F5 or dns round robbin (this is not recommended.)

for configuring a DAG have a look on this website.

https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/office/Install-Exchange-server-b5cce9e4

Remember to mark as helpful if you find my contribution useful or as an answer if it does answer your question.

• Edited by Jörg-Devoteam Tuesday, August 25, 2015 8:53 AM typo

Hi,

Great advice from above.

We recommend create DAG if we have multiple mailbox server in production environment, it will provide high available during failover. Also, high available for CAS server is necessary. More details about preferred architecture for Exchange 2013, for your reference: http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2014/04/21/the-preferred-architecture.aspx

Thanks all for your replies.

Some update:

 Since my manager has ruled out DAG in our environment, I went for a plain Mailbox role setup on the new server.

I have now added a new Mailbox DB on that server to manage my imports.

We already have F5 in place for SSL offloading and CAS traffic, however 2 CAS servers is not nescesary when restoring a VM either directly from the SAN or Veeam Backup takes a couple of minutes.

And how about if we decide to implement DAG when we now have two Mailbox servers with different databases? Will it mirror both ways?