Thursday, July 26, 2012

Configuring HLB ( Kemp LoadMaster) Exchange 2010

 

If you are going to configure Kemp HLB here is quick reference for you to get going. Installing HLB into production environment with existing CAS ARRAY might sound bit concerning but the reality , the actual work needs to get done is fairly simple.

Existing environment

CAS01 192.168.1.101
CAS02 192.168.1.102
CAS03 192.168.1.103
CAS04 192.168.1.104

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CAR ARRAY Configuration ( existing)

CAS ARRAY =  Outlook.smtp25.org

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Outlook.smtp25.org 192.168.1.101
Outlook.smtp25.org 192.168.1.102
Outlook.smtp25.org 192.168.1.103
Outlook.smtp25.org 192.168.1.104

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How does it work ?

  • Outlook client checks its configured settings and finds out where to connect to get the user mail from ( This case it is CAS ARRAY = outlook.smtp35.org=10.10.10.150
  • The DNS Server the client is talking too, has A record matches the RPC Client Access Server outlook.smtp25.org=10.10.10.150
  • Each Database has attribute called RPCclientAccessServer which is equal to CAS ARRAY name. ( this is where the magic happens……)

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Now we will plug Kemp HLB into this picture

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*** In DNS the existing A record point to outlook.my company.com , the TTL has been lowered see details ***

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Configuring KEMP LoadMaster for Outlook MAPI

Connect to your Kemp HLB

Step1    Create a Virtual Service

Virtual Address 172.21.7.15
Port *
Service Name (Optional) RPC MAPI
Protocol tcp

Create a Virtual Service. Click Virtual Services and then click Add New.

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**** Click Add this Virtual Service****

Step2  Configure Basic Properties

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Note make sure “L7 Transparency” is not checked the Kep document says check this on and if you do, MAPI client MAPI request comes to Kemp HLB and Kemp HLB will not response back to MAPI ( Outlook) client and thus Client outlook will crash badly.. This made me slow down a bit, after turning on Sniffer I was able to see what was going on and Henrik post came to rescue Thanks Henrik

Advanced Properties

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 Real Servers (  Existing CAS Servers in the environment)

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Now we will create another one for Address Bok Services

Click Virtual Services , add new

Virtual Address 172.21.7.15
Port 135
Service Name (Optional) MAPI Endpoint Mapper
Protocol tcp

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Basic Properties

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Standard Options

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SSL Properties

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Advanced Properties

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Real Servers

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Now final Configuration will look like

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It is good idea to create backup after you are done

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All you have to do it just to save it

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As you can see KEMP HLB is supper easy to configure

Now how are you going to test this without effecting production and schedule a day to do the cut over, remember this example the existing CAS ARRAY is pointing to all existing CAS Servers…

Log into your test PC where outlook is installed and change the host file to point to  VIP IP address of the KEMP HLB. Once you are done this open outlook , you can ping the outlook.YourCompany.org from test PC to verify it is pinging to  VIP IP of the HLB *** Not one of the CAS Servers***

Now under statistic real servers you will be able to see how many connections etc.

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Conclusion:  configuring KEMP HLB is real easy and the price very reasonable in my opinion, once you get the HLB you will be more appreciated how much it can make your life easy (-:

If you get stuck at any point ping me , I will be happy to give hand fo configuring KEMP HLB with your existing SMTP domain.

 

Respectfully,
Oz Casey, Dedeal ( MVP north America)
MCITP (EMA), MCITP (SA)
MCSE 2003, M+, S+, MCDST
Security+, Project +, Server +
http://smtp25.blogspot.com/ (Blog)
http://telnet25.wordpress.com/ (Blog)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Exchange 2013 Welcome !!!!!!!!!!

If you are not fallowing the exchange Server and its related new, here are some head start information and links , What is new in Exchange 2013

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  • EAC  (Exchange Administration Center) I know terms all the time changes (-: , Exchange 2010 EMC ( MMC ) has been replaced, no longer wait time, the new interface is ***Fast***

What's New in Exchange 2013 Preview

  • In-place upgrades are not supported , however Coexistence with Exchange 2007 , 2010 is supported. So if you have two server in your DAG, you will be able to break your DAG wipe out one of your server and brings it back as Exchange 2013 and move onto second server.
  • Installing Exchange 2013 you have to install Mailbox server and at least one Client Access server in each AD sites
  • Store has been re-written to improve the performance, better IO reeducation and reliability.

New mail flow see details………..

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  • Coexistence with Exchange 2003 is NOT Supported, Windows 2008 R2  is supported OS and support for Windows 8 is in works
  • Build in DLP Data loss prevention ( Woww , this is great add on to newest Exchange server) DLP will help & protect companies  sensitive data and inform users of internal compliance policies.
  • Achieving, eDiscovery search capabilities and preserve data cross multiple data repositories ( Share point and Lync) the coloration of SP and Lync in Exchange 2013 is incredible, Extra security futures build into multiple platforms and their coloration is  incredibly useful.
  • Good by to RPC and welcome to RPC over HTTPS, this means the RPC packets will be wrapped into SSL packets for communication.

I will continue to post , stay tuned and get ready for Exchange 2013 (-:

Respectfully,
Oz Casey, Dedeal ( MVP north America)
MCITP (EMA), MCITP (SA)
MCSE 2003, M+, S+, MCDST
Security+, Project +, Server +
http://smtp25.blogspot.com/ (Blog)
http://telnet25.wordpress.com/ (Blog)

Monday, July 2, 2012

MVP for another Year, !!!! Thanks to all of you.

I have received one more year extension on MVP nomination. As we have no power here in Washington DC, no gas, no food and day care is closed (-: , this make it all up for sure and put big smile on my face (-:

I would like to say many thanks to all my friends, All loyal visitors and my dear students who truly help me to get here. Without your support I could never made it for another year.

As everything changing fast please stay tuned for more Exchange Server related news which will be coming up soon (-: , I am sure you will be pleased and excited.

All these years I spend in IT field one thing I have learned is how much I do not know and need to learn more (-: , I will continue my journey and share my knowledge and try to influence and help our community.

I also want to say thanks to my MVP Team lead Melissa Travers for her on going patience and encouragements. Thanks a lot also the Exchange Team for listening our little voice and never being mad (-: . Lastly many thanks to many other MVP peers whom I have taken example over the years and learned a lot...

THANKS GUYS........

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best

Oz Casey, Dedeal.