Configuring OWA with a DR site

[fuego007]

We're looking for the best way to implement OWA in Exchange 2007 that allows for the existence of servers in both the primary location and the disaster recovery location. Each location is a distinct AD site, and has both an ISA server and CAS server. We need to use distinct URLs for each site, and the DR OWA server needs to be accessible in a scenario where only one mailbox server has been failed over (partial failover), as well as when the entire primary site has been failed over to the DR site. Any suggestions?

When all else fails, read the book!

 

[58sniper]

How are you configured for failover? CCR? SCR?

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Contributing author Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference

 

[fuego007]

We haven't rolled out 2007 yet, and I'll have to ask our SAN engineer this question. I don't believe we're using either.

When all else fails, read the book!

 

[58sniper]

Well then, if your site goes down, OWA won't be able to connect to anything.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Contributing author Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference

 

[fuego007]

The databases are replicated to the DR site, I just don't know what the replication method is, exactly (I'm new here). The objective is to be able to access email through the primary site OWA server or the DR site OWA server (which MUST use a different name space). It must be possible to access the DR site server OR the primary server in the event that only one of several mailbox servers has to be failed over to the DR site.

Users are already 'conditioned' to access OWA using a specific URL. If a user connects to the primary CAS server when their mailbox is being hosted in the DR site, CAS should automatically redirect their traffic through the DR CAS server. The biggest issue is how to redirect traffic to the DR CAS server if the primary CAS server is down without the user having to use a different URL.

Does this make sense?

When all else fails, read the book!

 

[xmsre]

If the clients that are connecting to the server are only OWA or Outlook 2007, then I'd look at database portability.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb123954(EXCHG.80).aspx

You can combine this with SCR

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb738132.aspx

When you use3 database portability and mount a store on another server, you rehome the mailboxes.