5054 Designing a High Availability Messaging Solution using Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

Pré-requisitos:

· Must have a basic understanding of high availability concepts. For example, how clustering works at the operating system level (Windows clustering) and how network load balancing works.
· Must have a basic familiarity with deriving business requirements. For example, gathering business requirements and understanding that business needs come from a variety of sources (direct personnel needs, regulatory, business operations requirements).
· Must have a basic understanding of backup systems. For example, types of backups (disk to tape, disk to disk, Storage Area Networks (SAN) snapshot, imaging, etc.), backup rotation schemes, and offsite backup procedures.
· Must already know how to use:
· Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Management tools
· Exchange Best Practice Analyzer (ExBPA)
· WinNT backup (ntbackup.exe)
· Microsoft Visio or Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 (to create infrastructure diagrams)
· Must understand hardware concepts. For example, what redundant array of independent disks (RAID) is, what a storage area network (SAN) is, processor options, memory requirements, how disk I/O functions and the limitations of disk I/O, and storage options for Exchange server. The differences in addressable memory spaces between 32 and 64 bit architectures.
· Must have extensive detailed knowledge of Active Directory concepts and design principles. For example, site replication, integrated authentication, schema extension, Domain Name Systems (DNS), group and organization unit structure and inheritance, etc.
· Must have working experience with designing and implementing Active Directory directory services in Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
· Must understand Exchange architecture. For example, the purpose of server roles, functions of specific server roles, how message routing and queuing works in Exchange, standard messaging protocols (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol [SMTP], Internet Message Access Protocol version 4rev1 [IMAP4], Post Office Protocol version 3 [POP3]), how Exchange replicates data stores, client access methods, etc.
· Must have working experience with Exchange 2000 Server or Exchange Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2007. For example, must have installed, maintained, and supported a production Exchange environment.
· Must already know how to use:
· Exchange Server 2007 management tools
· Exchange Best Practice Analyzer (ExBPA)
· Microsoft Visio (to create infrastructure diagrams)
· Must have familiarity and experience with a Windows scripting or command line scripting

Module 1: Foundational High Availability Concepts for Messaging
This module explains the concept of service level management and how it relates the maintenance of Exchange Server 2007. As well, an overview of the high availability technologies for various network and data center components.
Lessons
· Introduction to Service Level Management
· Overview of High Availability Technologies Lab: Foundational High Availability Concepts for Messaging
· Exercise 1: Discussion: Refining the Scope of SLA Requirements

Module 2: Evaluating High Availability Technologies for Exchange Server 2007
This module explains how to evaluate the high availability technologies for Exchange Server 2007. Options for Mailbox and non-Mailbox servers are covered. Lessons · Evaluating High Availability Options for Mailbox Servers
· Evaluating High Availability Options for Non-Mailbox Servers Lab A: Evaluating High Availability Messaging Technologies
· Exercise 1: Configuring LCR
· Exercise 2: Configuring CCR
Lab B: Evaluating High Availability Messaging Technologies
· Exercise 1: Testing CCR
· Exercise 2: Discussion: Recommendations for Using the High Availability Solutions

Module 3: Creating a High Availability Messaging Strategy
This module explains how to create a high availability messaging strategy. This includes creating solutions for Mailbox and non-mailbox servers.
Lessons
· Designing a High Availability Strategy for Mailbox Servers
· Designing a High Availability Solution for Non-Mailbox Servers Lab: Creating a High Availability Messaging Strategy
· Exercise 1: Designing High-Availability Improvements for a Messaging Infrastructure
· Exercise 2: Justifying Messaging Infrastructure Design Decisions

Module 4: Designing the Messaging Portion of a Business Continuity Plan
This module explains how to design the messaging portion of a business continuity plan. As well, information about identifying threats to the messaging organization and mitigating those threats is covered.
Lessons
· Overview of Business Continuity Planning
· Identifying Threats to the Messaging Organization
· Mitigating Threats to the Messaging Organization
· Designing the Business Continuity Plan
Lab: Designing the Messaging Portion of a Business Continuity Plan
· Exercise 1: Identifying Risks to a Messaging Environment
· Exercise 2: Discussion: Mitigating Risks to a Messaging Environment

Module 5: Designing Backup for a High Availability Messaging Environment
This module explains how to identify the backup requirements and design the backup procedures for a high availability messaging environment.
Lessons
· Identifying Backup Requirements
· Designing Backup Procedures
Lab: Designing Backup for a High Availability Messaging Environment
· Exercise 1: Identifying Backup Requirements
· Exercise 2: Discussion: Creating Backup Procedures

Module 6: Ensuring Recovery Readiness of a High Availability Messaging Environment
This module explains how to ensure recovery readiness of a high availability messaging environment by designing recovery strategies and evaluating disaster recovery readiness.
Lessons
· Designing Recovery Strategies
· Evaluating Disaster Recovery Readiness Lab: Ensuring Recovery Readiness of a High Availability Messaging Environment
· Exercise 1: Defining Recovery Procedures
· Exercise 2: Evaluating Disaster Recovery Readiness