if there should be front end or back end servers,what roles should be configured on those servers and so on..typically step by step guide in deploying exchange 2010 in a production environment including architecture and topology.thanks

So there is no longer front-end and back-end roles in 2010, that is 2003 terminology. Sounds like you are starting with limited knowledge, so I suggest some reading up on Exchange 2010 here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd298026.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998636.aspx Also use the Exchange Deployment Assistant for help implementing 2010: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/exdeploy2010/default.aspx#Home My ultimate suggestion would be to hire a consultant from a Microsoft Partner. Deploying Exchange is not a simple undertaking. Tim Harrington | MVP: Exchange | MCITP: EMA 2007/2010, MCITP: Lync 2010, MCITP: Server 2008, MCTS: OCS | Blog: http://HowDoUC.blogspot.com | Twitter: @twharrington

i don't no what to say,i work in an organisation that is a microsoft partner so i guess am suppossed to be a consultant myself.however like u said i'm starting with limited knowledge as i am new to exchange.i've succeeded in installing it and using it in a test environment and it is working perfectly fine.although it was installed on a single server but i read elsewhere that in a production environment,all the rules have to be installed on seperate servers so u have multiple exchange servers servicing one organisation.that is why i am interested in the architecture because we would soon be deploying it for a client.additional and precise information would help.thanks.

It is not required to seperate out the roles to different servers. It really all depends on number of users you are supporting and high availability goals. It is very common to see multi-role servers in production. A lot of companies like to have dedicated Mailbox role servers, but colocate the CAS and HUB roles on the same server. Again, it all depends on your goals and number of users you are supporting.Tim Harrington | MVP: Exchange | MCITP: EMA 2007/2010, MCITP: Lync 2010, MCITP: Server 2008, MCTS: OCS | Blog: http://HowDoUC.blogspot.com | Twitter: @twharrington

Ask your potential customer how many mailboxes? do the need high availability? do they want to support Mobile Devices? it all depends on the customer need and the budget. If customer doens't know then ask them how much they want to invest in their messaging and give them a good system. Number of mailboxes will deteremine how highly available system do they need. you must study the architecture on http://microsoft.com/technet Where Technology Meets Talent