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Installing an Exchange Server 2013 Database Availability Group Conveniently

Mark Jonathan Smith | June 25th, 2015 | exchange 2013

High availability refers to the accessibility of services at all time. This means that we can access the server at any time. However, that does not necessarily mean that if the server is up then it is available for services. A simple example would exemplify the scenario and that is when there is corruption of mailbox. Even though you are connected to Exchange Server, you are not able to access the mailbox database.

exchange-recovery-new

To ensure high availability in your organization, you can employ any of these techniques

  • Fault tolerance hard disk
  • Clustering
  • Third party tools
  • Virtualizations technology

Clustering In Exchange Server 2013 for Ensuring Availability of Services

Exchange server 2013 clustering is known as DAG and it is limited to 16 copies. Let us know then actual meaning of clustering. It allows you to incorporate a technology where you have multiple systems and incase of failover in the existing server; they are allowed to take the responsibility (continues to deliver services in case the active server mailbox role fails). This system would not make the users realize that there is any type of problem with server and hence the services would be available all time.

Creation of DAG in Exchange Server 2013

The following steps will show you the installation procedure of DAG in Exchange server 2013.The complete installation procedure can be divide into three main categories

  1. Creation of computer object; DAG formation
  2. Addition of members to the DAG group
  3. Deploying DAG via Exchange Server Admin
  4. Configuring database copies

Formation of Database Availability Group

  • Move to the domain controller and this can be done by executing the dsa.msc command on Run. It will lead to you Active directory and computers

dsa.msi command

 

  • Click on View and select the option Advance Featuresdag-1
  • Then create a new object of computer

dag-2

  • It must be noted down that the name of the computer object must be same as that of DAG

dag-3

  • Now you can find that DAG03 has been created. Next select properties

dag-4

  • In DAG03, click object types and thick for computers:

dag-5

  • Now, make the computer account for the DAG Full Control permissions

dag-6

  • After that disable the DAG we have just created

dag-7

Joining Members to DAG Group

The next step consists of adding members to the DAG that has been created.

  • Move to the file server or witness server. Type lusrmgr.msc on Run to open Local Users and Groups

dag-8

  • Add the servers that you want to add the DAG and then click Save. This process will end with the addition of new DAG members to the cluster.

Deploying Exchange Server 2013 DAG

The last step consists of deploying an Exchange Server 2013 Database Availability Group. Follow the step given below to complete with the process of installation of DAG.

  • In the Exchange Admin Center carry out the settings given below

eac-settings

dag-9

  • Give all the details like

DAG name

FQDN of the Witness server

Directory of the folder made on witness server

Provide an IP address to the DAG

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  • Add the DAG members with the help of the + icon and save

Configuring the Database Copies

After that, the next step consists of configuring the copies of database. Follow the steps given below

  • In Exchange Console Panel move to servers – >databases tab
  • Select add database copy
  • Select the DAG member on which you want to add the database copy and then choose the server that will host the database copy from the list

dag-11

  • To confirm that copy was successful move to DAG03 and you can find the creation of DAG on your hard drive

To check whether the installation procedure of DAG has been achieved successfully, you can carry out the following settings

  • In Exchange Control Panel

eac-control-panel

  • On the right side of the interface you will be able to see status for active and passive

dag-12

Conclusion

The above content gives us an idea regarding the implementation of DAG in Exchange Server 2013. The concept of DAG has become very popular among organizations owing to its capability to restore service in the event of disaster.

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Mark Jonathan Smith

Mark Jonathan Smith is a Tech. Blogger & he wrote posts on various topics related to Exchange Server & MS Outlook issues, conversion & migration. Mark is a MCITP certified & he continues focus on Active Directory, Exchange Server & Outlook.