Search results for 'app:weblogs' matching tags 'Exchange' and 'Hyper-V'

Blistering Fast Windows Server - Parts List and Video

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Walk with me now, as we take a stroll down Geek lane. :)

I decided it's time to replace my old Hyper-V server at home with a new one that's faster and can run more VMs. I've decided again to build it myself from OEM parts so I can get exactly what I want at a right price. This article contains my parts list and my reasons for choosing what I did. Hopefully, this will help you with your own home lab.

I host my private cloud network on a Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V host server. Hyper-V is perfect for my environment because it allows me to run workgroup applications (Exchange Edge Transport and IIS) directly on the host, as well as host my virtual domain servers.

My current Hyper-V server is an AMD x64 dual core rig with 16GB RAM and two SATA drives, one for the OS and another for VMs. I built it about 3 years ago when I was on the Windows Server 2008 TAP and it has served me well. But with Windows Server 8 and Exchange 15 right around the corner, I wanted to be sure I had the capabilities of running these new versions.

My Design Requirements

As with most customers, I have competing requirements for this new server:

Minimum of 4 cores
Windows Server 8 capable. Hyper-V for Windows 8 requires hypervisor-ready processors with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), as reported by Microsoft at BUILD.
32GB of fast DDR3 RAM
Must support SATA III 6Gb/s drives
Must have USB 3.0 ports for future portable devices
Must be quiet. This server is sitting next to me in my office (aka, the sunroom) and I don't want to hear it at all.
Low power requirements
Small form factor
Budget: ~$1,000 USD

My RAM requirements drove most of this design. Since this would be based on a desktop motherboard (server mobos are too big and ECC RAM is too expensive), I first looked for 4x8GB (32GB) DDR3 RAM. Then I looked for a small mobo that would accept that much RAM, then a processor for that mobo.

Here's my parts list, including links to where I purchased each item and the price I paid:

Part Number	Description	Price	Source
B004EBUXIK	Intel Core i5-2400S Sandy Bridge 2.5GHz (3.3GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 65W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I52400S	$193.00	Amazon
N82E16813121506	Intel BOXDH67BLB3 LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard	$85.99	NewEgg
B00698WMYO	Komputerbay 32GB DDR3 (4x 8GB) PC3-10600 10666 1333MHz DIMM 240-Pin RAM Desktop Memory 9-9-9-25	$225.00	Amazon
N82E16820227726	OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)	$129.99	NewEgg
N82E16822136891	Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARX 2TB 64MB Cache SATA III 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive	$114.99	NewEgg
N82E16827135204	ASUS 24X DL-DVD Burner SATA II	$19.99	NewEgg
M40-BK- BK	AeroCool M40 Cube Computer Case - Micro ATX, LCD Display, 2x 5.25 Bays, 3x 3.5 Bays, 4x Fan Ports, Black	$79.99	TigerDirect
N82E16817371033	Antec EA-380D Green 80 PLUS BRONZE Power Supply	$44.99	NewEgg
N82E16811999199	ENERMAX UC-8EB 80mm Case Fan	$9.99	NewEgg
N82E16820132029	nMEDIAPC ZE-C268 3.5" All-in-one USB Card Reader with USB 3.0 Port	$16.99	NewEgg
N82E16817997013	Rosewill RX-C200P 2.5" SSD / HDD Plastic Mounting Kit for 3.5" Drive Bay	$4.99	NewEgg
		Total: $925.91

I was a little worried about the Komputerbay RAM. I've never heard of them before, but they offer a lifetime warranty and 32GB DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) RAM was $54 cheaper than what I could find at NewEgg. In the end I'm very pleased with my decision.

I chose different sources for the best price. NewEgg is my go-to vendor for most items. They charge sales tax in California, but I have a ShopRunner account that gives me free 2-day shipping on all these items. Amazon was the smart choice for the bigger ticket items since they don't charge tax and I could get them delivered with a 30 day free trial of Prime 2-day shipping. Not to mention the fact that I had a $500 Amazon gift card that I won at TechEd 2011 from my good friends at Vision Solutions! TigerDirect was the only source for this great AeroCool micro ATX cube computer case.

All the items were delivered the same day and started putting it together that night. Careful assembly took about 90 minutes and everything went together perfectly.

It's a Geek Christmas!

All the parts freed from their cardboard prisons

The only other item I added was a dual port Intel PRO/1000 MT Server Adapter that I already had. I also used L-bend right angle SATA cables instead of the two that came with the Intel motherboard, due to the short clearance between the PSU and the back of the drives (I knew this going in).

The innovative AeroCool M40 micro ATX case opens up like a book for easy access. The power supply, hard drives and DVD drive(s) are in the top half and everything else is down below. It includes a nearly silent 120mm front fan and has room for one more on the top rear section and two 80mm fans on the bottom rear section. I added a single silent 80mm fan on the bottom to push warm air out. The case temperature has never gone above 26.4C and it's completely silent.

View from above showing the Antec PSU, the 3.5" and 5.25" drive cages and the unused PSU cabling

View from the hinged side, showing motherboard placement

I'm using the OCZ 120GB SATA III SSD drive for the operating system and pagefile, Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise for now. I'll upgrade the server to Windows Server 8 when it goes RTM. In the meantime, I'll build and test beta versions as VMs. I have to say that this SSD drive was one of the best choices for my new system. It's blistering fast! Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 installed in just 6 minutes!! Take a look at the video below to see that it takes only 20 seconds to get to a logon screen from a cold start, and half of that time is the for the BIOS POST!

The Intel I5 4-core Sandy Bridge processor has amazing graphics built in. I'm able to run Windows Server 2008 R2 with the Aero theme at 1920x1080 HD resolution with no difference in performance. It's possible to overclock this system, but it's plenty fast for me and I value stability over speed. I love the fact that it draws only 65W! This not only saves electricity, it keeps the case cool which lowers the cooling requirements.

The bottom half with the case split open. The I5-2400s CPU came with this huge low profile CPU cooler.

As a desktop motherboard, the Intel DH67BL motherboard came with drivers that did not work out of the box with Windows Server 2008 R2. I downloaded the latest drivers from Intel and most installed fine. The only items I had trouble with were the built-in Intel 82579V Gigabit network adapter and the integrated Intel HD Graphics drivers. Intel "crippled" the NIC driver installer so that it won't install on a server platform. See this article which explains how to re-enable it. The video driver installed most of the way, but the installer crashed when trying to register a DLL. It was able to install again fine after a restart.

I also used a Western Digital Green 2TB SATA III drive for storage of my Hyper-V VMs. I've always used Western Digital drives and I've never had a problem with them. The WD Green line saves power, runs cool and quiet, and delivers 6 Gb/s performance.

Photo of the completed server. I placed a DVD on top to for scale.

This is by far the fastest sever I've ever worked on, bar none. I'm extremely happy with it. I haven't bothered running any benchmarks* on it – I just know that it's fast enough for my needs and has plenty of RAM so I can run more VMs.

I hope this article helps you to build your own home lab server. Please let me know if you have any questions.

* There are lies, damn lies, and benchmarks.

Exchange 2010 support for host-based failover clustering and migration

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Some Exchange-supported virtualization platforms, such as Hyper-V and VMware include features that support the clustering or portability of guest virtual machines across multiple physical root machines. Examples of host-based failover clustering and migration include Hyper-V Live Migration and VMware ESX vMotion.

Microsoft support for host-based failover clustering and migration virtualization with Database Availability Groups (DAGs) depends on the Exchange 2010 service pack level. Per the Exchange 2010 System Requirements:

With Exchange 2010 RTM:

Microsoft doesn't support combining Exchange high availability solutions (such as DAGs) with hypervisor-based clustering, high availability, or migration solutions that will move or automatically failover mailbox servers that are members of a DAG between clustered root servers. DAGs are supported in hardware virtualization environments, provided the virtualization environment doesn't employ clustered root servers, or the clustered root servers have been configured to never failover or automatically move mailbox servers that are members of a DAG to another root server.

With Exchange 2010 SP1 (or later) deployed:

Exchange server virtual machines (including Exchange Mailbox virtual machines that are part of a DAG), may be combined with host-based failover clustering and migration technology, as long as the virtual machines are configured such that they will not save and restore state on disk when moved, or taken offline. All failover activity must result in a cold boot when the virtual machine is activated on the target node. All planned migration must either result in shutdown and cold boot, or an online migration that makes use of a technology like Hyper-V Live Migration. Hypervisor migration of virtual machines is supported by the hypervisor vendor; therefore, you must ensure that your hypervisor vendor has tested and supports migration of Exchange virtual machines. Microsoft supports Hyper-V Live Migration of these virtual machines.

In summary, Exchange 2010 SP1 or better supports hypervisor migrations such as Hyper-V Live Migration and VMware ESX vMotion for DAG member servers. Host-based failover cluster migrations, such as Hyper-V Quick Migration, is supported only if the virtual Exchange DAG server is restarted immediately after the quick migration completes. Exchange 2010 RTM is not supported with either migration technology. RTM only supports the native Exchange high availability features present in DAGs.

Other Exchange Server 2010 roles (CAS, Hub Transport, Edge Transport, and Unified Messaging) fully support host-based failover clustering and migration because they do not employ native Exchange high-availability solutions.

For a list of the virtualization platforms supported by Exchange, visit the Windows Server Virtualization Validation Program website.

Exchange 2010 Service Pack 2 available

TBittner — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

You can download it from here

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28190

Exchange 2010 SP2 is a complete installation software pack, so for new Exchange installations, you can use it to start with from scratch.

Also when you use it for updating your current installations, be aware that you need Schema- and/or Organisaiton Administrator rights, because it contains a Schema update for your Active Directory.

And this Schema update needs to be execute in the domain where the Schema Master Role exist. So run setup /prepareAD not in the domain where you operate your Exchange Servers, it will not work. You need to go to the root domain, if there is the Schema Master or you have to move the Schema Master on to a domain controller in the domain where you operate your Exchange environment.

And remember that you should wait for replication across your AD after you’ve performed the Exchange 2010 SP2 Schema update.

During you’re waiting for replication, you can use the time to install the ‘IIS 6 WMI Compatibility’ feature. It is mandatory for your following Exchange 2010 SP2 installation, because of the new ‘Outlook Mini’ feature, which requires this feature on your CAS server roles.

Schedule

5 minutes for /prepareAD
15 minutes for replication (more if you have higher replication times set on your site links)
5 minutes for feature prerequisits
30 minutes for finishing SP2 setup per system

so you should be through with it within a hour for your first system and schedule 30 minutes for every following systems …

Reboot after SP2 installation should not be necessary.

And think about to disable Anti Virus Scanning on the box you’re going to perform Exchange 2010 SP2 Setup for upgrade.

Read the prerequisits before starting your installation

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb691354.aspx

Partly Cloudy and forecast for 2012

TBittner — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMT

As you may already know, there will be some essential changes with several Microsoft technologies in next version 2012 coming up.

According to those changes infrastructure design will also need to be adjusted. As well dynamic computing architectures and hardware selection in regards of storage.

The guys from NetApp have published a nice document for you to give you a feeling what needs to be taken into your conclusions about next infrastructure designs in regards of storage for your virtualization infrastrucuture and of course may be also for Exchange storage.

You should read this following this link

http://media.netapp.com/documents/tr-3874.pdf

Exchange for Hosters

TBittner — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

As you know, this feature was removed from the current version of Exchange. There are some features back with Exchange 2010 SP1 back not as we had it in the past with legacy versions.

Now with Exchange 2010 SP2 we will get back functionality on a standard On-Premise Exchange environment.

Read

http://blogs.technet.com/b/hameroff/archive/2011/08/08/so-you-want-to-host-exchange.aspx

and

http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2011/08/30/exchange-server-2010-sp2-and-support-for-hosting-exchange.aspx

September 17, 2011 SMB MVP Community Roadshow

steveb — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Join us at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters for the “home-field” event of the SMB MVP Worldwide Roadshow. This is one you will not want to miss!

We’ve joined forces with our friends to the south in Portland, The Technology Wizards (www.technologywizards.com), to bring in nine Microsoft MVPs for two power-packed days, Friday in Portland, and Saturday in Redmond. For the Redmond event, arrive at 9 AM for coffee and pastries and a chance to mingle with the MVPs before our 10 AM event start time. If you’re feeling the need for travel, sign up for Portland and Redmond’s events and join us for the train ride Friday evening back to Seattle!

Presentations will cover:
SBS 2011 Essentials
SBS 2011 Standard & Premium Add-on
Windows MultiPoint Server 2011
Windows Storage Server 2008 R2
Migrations (Jeff Middleton is in the house!)
HP Servers & PCs
Expanded discussion and Q&A time!

Continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks will be provided. The Redmond event is sponsored by PSSBS, HP, Microsoft, and SBS Migration. Admission is free. Registration is limited to 125, so register today!

http://www.smbmvptour.com/register

Scheduled to present:
Steve Banks
Susan Bradley
Dana Epp
Cliff Galiher
Andy Goodman
Russ Grover
Jeff Middleton
Kevin Royalty
Charlie Russel

The event will be at Microsoft’s Redmond Campus - Redwest Building E Emerald Auditorium - 5600 148th Avenue N.E.REDMOND, WA 98052. This is the same building we were at for Mark Russinovich’s Zero Day Malware Cleaning with the Sysinternals Tools event in July.

We will have a person at the main entrance of Redwest E to direct you to the Emerald Auditorium. For Bing directions to Redwest E Building, use the following link: http://binged.it/olOevZ

This event replaces our September 15th meeting.

Windows Anti-Virus Exclusion List

TBittner — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

A comprehensive all exclusion list for Windows Server Systems has been published on TechNet Wiki.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/953.aspx

NetApp Storage Systems in Microsoft Systems Environment

TBittner — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:00:00 GMT

NetApp published a new article and guide how their storage environment and solutions work in Windows Systems architectures and infrastructures.

The article gives you a lot valued information about how it works with Domain Controllers in Active Directory in many aspects, for example, it describes how NetApp storage server discovery and redirecting DC/KDC/LDAP services.

The document describes how NetApp storage systems work seamlessly in the Microsoft Windows environment and how they enable administrator to effortlessly manage data by making use of standard Microsoft services and features such as Active Directory, IntelliMirror, Volume Shadow Copy, Access-Based Enumeration, Offline File Caching, Auditing, Distributed File System (DFS), File Screening, and CIFS Virus Protection.

TR-3367 - NetApp Storage Systems in a Microsoft Windows Environment

Secure Access to your Cloud Services

TBittner — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Moving to the Cloud is going on and so we will have more and more On-Premise and Cloud environments living site by site.

Securing access to Cloud Services will be more relevant for the future.

A great article on this topic has been published by Yuri Diogenes, Senior Security Support Escalation Engineer on Microsoft Forefront Team.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/gg607680.aspx

Architecting iSCSI Storage for Hyper-V

TBittner — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:00:00 GMT

A very interesting article about this has been published here.

How is Hyper-V supporting iSCSI technologies? How can iSCSI storage provided for guest systems? What is best practise configuration? How to achieve the best data throughput? This and other questions are subject of this document.