You might need to define what you mean by "Backup mail server". If you mean a message store (e.g. Exchange's Information Store) where e-mail gets delivered and placed in a users mailbox... then you can't do this with Exchange.
If you mean a routing server, then you are continuing the idea that e-mail is delivered across a network on a store and forward basis - each server in the chain gets the message, and then hands it onto the next server when the next server accepts it. At any store/forward point the e-mail can get delayed waiting for the next server to be ready. This delay can be seconds or days, depending on configuration. Typically, any store/forward routing server will also have a time-out, so that mail that has been delayed for too long can be returned as non-deliverable. Now, in your situation, you are preparing to accept e-mail addressed to your company, even though the final destination (the Exchange Information Store) is not available. You will then be responsible for delivery of that e-mail. This could be done by a simple Win2000 IIS SMTP router; or by accepting it into an Exchange Bridgehead server. All that the "Bridgehead" means is that within your Exchange Site (not necessarily in the same location) you have a server responsible for all incoming and outgoing mail into that Site. Sometimes this bridgehead is the only server in the Site; sometimes it is just one of the servers (with user mailboxes on it as well); sometimes it is a dedicated server within the Site whose only purpose is routing mail between Sites. Cheers, Chris -----Original Message----- From: Rob Berger [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 25 June 2002 20:05 To: Exchange Discussions Subject: Exch 5.5 Backup Server? I would like to create a backup mail server in our Boston, MA office in case our Columbus, OH office server becomes unavailable (due to server failure or Internet problems). I am still at the design stage, so I would love suggestions. (I checked the MS newsgroups but found nothing useful.) Environment & Assets: -Exchange 5.5 SP4 server on WinNT4 SP6 in Columbus handling all incoming and outgoing mail for our small company. -This server is behind a Netscreen firewall. All mail is directed to the Exchange server by the Netscreen device. -I will put in another Netscreen firewall in the Boston office to allow constant VPN connection between the 2 offices. I would configure the Netscreen similarly to direct all mail to the BostonMail server. -Columbus has a 3mbps Internet connection -Boston has a DSL connection (speed unknown) Design: -I will modify the MX record on file with our host such that if the Columbus mail server is unavailable, mail will be delivered to the Boston IP address. -As long as the Boston server can accept mail until the Columbus server is back online (or rebuilt), I'm happy. If BostonMail will actually deliver it, that's fine, too. -What is a bridgehead server? Is this a situation where I'd use this feature? -How do I make sure the servers have synchronized mailboxes/addresses? Thanks for all suggestions, -Rob _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Archives: http://www.swynk.com/sitesearch/search.asp To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Archives: http://www.swynk.com/sitesearch/search.asp To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
