Hi , I have Exchange 2007 infrastructure on a single box where we have configured all the roles with Exchange DB's. Now we are planning for SAN and upgrade the exchange infrastructure to hold exchange 2007 roles on multiple box's with HA . My question is if we were to install Clustered Mailbox on the different box or NLB HUB and CAS , will this disturb the existing Exchange box . Ultimately my aim is to provide smooth movement of mailbox's from the single to Clustered mailbox without any downtime . Is it possible to first install the clustered mailbox in the same org then move all the mailbox from the old box to the new clustered mailbox and then remove the mailbox role from the old box . in the same way can we transfer the roles like HUB and CAS ? Thanks and replies are appreciated Raghu

Hi In your case if you have decided to don't run Exchange 2010, I would install CAS/HUB into the existing org on two new servers and load balancing them And then CCR cluster or SCC cluster depending on storage solution, I don't see the point of using CCR cluster in SAN solution, it's a single point of failure and that was the reason MS brought CCR to us for helping reduce the SPoF solutions When the installation is done you can smooth move mailboxes to the new server(s)/cluster Jonas Andersson MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007/2010 | MCITP: EMA 2007/2010 | MCSE/MCSA Blog: http://www.testlabs.se/blog

Thanks Jonas thts a good one .. if we were to install Exchange 2010 wht are the advantages we have over E2K7 , since we are abt to buy SAN solution Thanks Raghu

There are many including much lower storage IOPS requirements, better OWA user experience across all browsers and better HA. I'd take a look at this planning guide. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998636.aspxMark Morowczynski|MCT| MCSE 2003:Messaging, Security|MCITP:EMA 2K7,EDA Win 7,ES,SA,EA|MCTS:Windows Mobile Admin|Security+|http://almostdailytech.com

Before deciding anything if I were you I would lookup the storage costs I think you can save a lot of money on the storage by using DAS instead of expensive SAN solutions Exchange 2010 has improved it's I/O performance with 70% from 2007 and 90% better than 2003. That means you can use SATA storage/disks and save money :) Check the link Mark posted and also this one: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd638137.aspxJonas Andersson MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007/2010 | MCITP: EMA 2007/2010 | MCSE/MCSA Blog: http://www.testlabs.se/blog

yeah you are right Exchange 2010 has many advantages over e2k7 but sometimes decision making controls will not be in our hands ..finally we have to say ... you are right sir we will implement e2k7 . Anyways thanks guys for all the replies ...

Hehe.. Yepp :) Sometimes, but for "some" reason decision makers like to hear about saving costs :) Anyway, good luck with the solution!Jonas Andersson MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007/2010 | MCITP: EMA 2007/2010 | MCSE/MCSA Blog: http://www.testlabs.se/blog

Hey Jonas, As you know we have a single box with multiple roles installed and are moving to HA(Clustered mailbox) and NLB HUB/CAS Thanks for the above solution , i have a different Question now . I will be configuring NLB cluster for HUB & CAS . NLB will Windows 2003 R2 with Exchange 2007. I would like to know ---which one should be installed first? NLB or install HUB & CAS role ? ---Can i import the existing certificate from the standalone server which has SAN enabled 3rd party certificate to the new NLB box ? and finally how can we have smooth migration without any downtime while transitioning from standalone HUB to NLB My Plan is once i have NLB up , i will change NATed IP on my ASA to point to the NLB Virtual IP (to change MX to NLB HUB & also OWA IP URL will be changed simultaneously) Then will create new send & recieve connector on each of the HUB Server Node. I have around 1500 users i cannot move all of the users in one shot , how do i manage the users on the standalone box to be able to send/recieve mails even after changing the MX to the NLB Virtual IP? Thanks & Appreciate all the replies Raghu