Windows Clustering is not supported on front-end servers in Exchange Server 2003 (837852)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server
  • Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server

INTRODUCTION

This article discusses an installation limitation of Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server or Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 in a clustered environment. The installation of an Exchange 2000 or Exchange 2003 front-end server is not supported on a server cluster.

MORE INFORMATION

When you configure Exchange 2000 or Exchange 2003 in a front-end and back-end configuration (FE/BE), the Exchange front-end server typically relays Internet client protocol commands to the back-end Exchange mailbox server. A server cluster provides failover capability for Exchange mailbox servers if they are connected to a shared storage location. Because the Exchange front-end server does not store mailbox information, there would typically be only a small benefit to having an Exchange front-end server installed on a server cluster.

To help increase the fault tolerance of Exchange front-end servers, use more than one front-end server, and configure these servers by using a clustering technology such as Network Load Balancing.

For additional information about the Windows Clustering technologies in Microsoft Windows Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

For additional information about the Windows Clustering technologies in Microsoft Windows Server 2000, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

For additional information about how to deploy Exchange 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

For additional information about how to deploy Exchange 2000, visit the following Microsoft Web site:



Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:3/30/2006
Keywords:kbClustering kbinfo KB837852 kbAudITPRO