Exchange 2010 DAG Step by Step

Refer this article to see how to install Exchange 2010 in a Single consolidated server. In this article I will demonstrate how to configure two node Database Availability Group (DAG) by simple steps.

If you want to configure DAG in between two different sites see my Exchange 2010 DAG Step by Step – Two Member DAG in Two AD Sites article.

My Server setup details as follows.

Server Description	Server Name	IP Address	Operating System	Application
Domain Controller	dc.doitfixit.local	192.168.1.100	Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Standard Edition
Exchange CAS/HUB server	cas.doitfixit.local	192.168.1.101	Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Standard Edition	Exchange Server SP2
Exchange Mailbox Server	ex1.doitfixit.local	MAPI: 192.168.1.102 Replication: 10.1.10.10	Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Enterprise Edition	Exchange Server SP2
Exchange Mailbox Server	ex2.doitfixit.local	192.168.1.103 Replication: 10.1.10.11	Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Enterprise Edition	Exchange Server SP2

As shown in above table I am using separate network for Exchange Mailbox Replication. Also keep in mind Windows Server Enterprise Editions are required for configure DAG because it starts “Cluster Service” which required Enterprise editions of Windows servers.

Lets start the configuration.

First we have to configure the both network settings in our Exchange Mailbox servers. For more information regarding Network Configuration of configuring DAG refer this article at Technet.

See network settings of ex1.doitfixit.local exchange mailbox server below.

MAPI Network

Replication Network

Remove “Register this connection’s addresses in DNS” tick.

Do the same changes to other exchange server also.

We have configured each NIC in both Exchange Mailbox servers. Now we have to bring the MAPI network to top of the Bindings order. To do this press the ALT key, and then select Advanced > Advanced Settings.