Mastering Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP1

Installing Exchange 2007 may at first appear to be overwhelming. The proliferation of new server roles, combined with prerequisite software and hardware configuration, gives you a lot of options and details to keep track of. However, the new command-line installer gives you back a lot of power in managing your deployment. Your design work from the previous chapter combined with the detailed coverage and recommendations in this chapter, will give you the specific guidance you need to easily determine which steps you need to take in which order.

If we had to reduce this chapter down to a single list of guidelines, here's what we'd want you to remember:

• Download and read the current Exchange 2007 documentation. Microsoft will be updating it on a regular basis to ensure that it stays fresh and incorporates the latest updates and real-world deployment feedback.

• Pay proper attention to sizing your servers.

• Text-mode setup is your friend.

• Do your Active Directory preparation before beginning to install server roles.

• You must have at least one Client Access and Hub Transport server instance per site.

• Install a Client Access and Hub Transport server instance in a given site before installing the first Mailbox server instance.

• Don't install an Edge Transport server until you have a Hub Transport instance in your organization.

• Clusters must be dedicated to the Mailbox server role only.

• Wait to install the Unified Messaging server until you know everything else is working.

If you take your time and test your deployment plan thoroughly, you'll have a working Exchange 2007 installation in no time!