Failover - Disaster solution 3

[Theo2k]

Greetings,

My small business network consists of Active Directory, file server, and exchange 2003. We have recently opened a new branch elsewhere and we now have both sides connected via MPLS solutions. My question is: How can I build a disaster solution/failover (especially exchange 2003) in the new location in case of a disaster? I would like my users to be able to access their email etc. I know this is a loaded question. Any tips for starters?

Thanks,

Theo

 

[58sniper]

Transition to Exchange 2007 and use SCR in the failover site.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[Theo2k]

Do I need to have another domain controler at the other end? Currently the remote site authenticates via the WAN to the one and only AD controler at the source site.

Again thank you for your feedback.

 

[58sniper]

With 2007, yes, you'd need a DC in the same AD site.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[Zelandakh]

DC which would also need to be a GC.

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

Sounds as though he may be running SBS. May need to change it to 2003 standard to allow for another DC/GC and the growth they seem to be having. The change would also allow you to have some redundancy for the AD (2 or more DC's). Hate to be on one DC and have that bad boy die on you. There are threads here that can tell you how to change your SBS domain; if that is in fact your case.

 

[Zelandakh]

You can add another DC/GC to SBS - in fact you can add as many as you like. You just can't move the FSMOs.

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

Good point Zelandakh! I was incorrect in stating "the change would also allow". I was looking at future growth and since he inherited the site, he may need to look at all the options. And with the 75 user/device limit, a small company can quickly outgrow SBS 2003 R2.

We may even be completely off topic here

But just in case the Transition Pack is needed:

http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2003/sbs/techinfo/planning/transition.mspx

 

[Theo2k]

Thank you all for the great feedback. I currently don't run SBS 2003 just exchange 2003 sp2. I'm not sure which is the easiest way to replicate or to create a DR site with exchange functionality. My understanding based in your feedback is to upgrade to 2007 exchange and add a DC/GC to our new site.

Can I have a hosting provider host our exchange in case of a disaster?

Thanks again!

 

[Zelandakh]

Yes if you have a VPN or similar and the latency isn't too high.

 

[1dannyd]

Sorry to jump in this thread late but I am soon implementing (I am not a vendor) a prduct called replay by appassure software. Look 'em up. They do snap shot restores and failover serviceson a local machine you buy.

 

[Theo2k]

Thank you 1dannyd! I'll go ahead and download the demo tommorow and see how it works.

 

[Zelandakh]

Theo - please post back on how you got on with the demo, I'd be interested in how it performs.