Project Objective
A multi-server, domain-based environment built to support enterprise email, calendaring, and collaboration with a focus on resilience and high availability through Database Availability Groups. The final state delivers a fully functional, redundant email system with role-based mailboxes, shared resources, and automated user provisioning for the fictional company CollabCo.
Key Achievement
Achieved mailbox database redundancy with automatic failover capability through properly configured Database Availability Group (CollabCoDAG).
Architecture Overview
Server Infrastructure
| Server | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|
| MK-DC | Domain Controller | Active Directory, DNS, forest root for mkexchange.local |
| MK-FS | File/DHCP/Witness Server | File shares, DHCP (10.171.143.100-200), DAG witness |
| MK-MS1 | Exchange Mailbox Server | Primary mailbox server, hosts DB01 |
| MK-MS2 | Exchange Mailbox Server | Secondary mailbox server, hosts DB02 |
| MK-CM1, MK-CM2 | Client Machines | Windows 10 workstations, domain-joined |
Exchange Features Implemented
User Mailboxes
Individual mailboxes for all AD users with database assignments across MK-MS1 (DB01) and MK-MS2 (DB02).
Room Mailboxes
Resource mailboxes for each department enabling conference room and equipment scheduling.
Shared Mailboxes
Team-based email addresses with appropriate Send As and Full Access permissions for collaboration.
Distribution Groups
Email-enabled groups for one-to-many communications across departments and teams.
Implementation Phases
Core Infrastructure & Prerequisites
- Provisioned and configured six VMs in vSphere with appropriate resources
- Installed Active Directory Domain Services on MK-DC, created mkexchange.local forest
- Deployed DHCP server on MK-FS with scope (10.171.143.100-200)
- Created logical OU hierarchy and populated with user accounts and security groups
- Built resilient file server using Windows Storage Spaces and created secure departmental file shares
- Implemented Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for automated drive mapping
Exchange Server Deployment & Foundation
- Installed Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 on both MK-MS1 and MK-MS2
- Created critical DNS records (A, MX, CNAME for mail, owa, autodiscover)
- Joined Windows 10 client VMs to domain and verified automatic configuration
Mailbox Configuration & Collaboration
- Created two primary mailbox databases (DB01 on MK-MS1, DB02 on MK-MS2)
- Enabled mailboxes for all existing AD users with database assignments
- Created Room Mailboxes for each department for resource scheduling
- Configured Shared Mailboxes for team-based email with appropriate permissions
- Created email-enabled Distribution Groups for one-to-many communications
- Conducted comprehensive end-to-end mail flow testing
High Availability & Resilience
- Installed Exchange Mailbox role on file server to serve as File Share Witness
- Created Database Availability Group (CollabCoDAG) in Exchange Admin Center
- Delegated necessary Active Directory permissions for cluster management
- Added MK-MS1 and MK-MS2 as DAG members
- Configured database copies: DB01 copy on MK-MS2, DB02 copy on MK-MS1
- Performed manual failover test by activating passive copy, verifying seamless transition
Database Availability Group Configuration
| Database | Primary Server | Copy Location | Replication |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB01 | MK-MS1 | MK-MS2 | Continuous |
| DB02 | MK-MS2 | MK-MS1 | Continuous |
Design Decision: Optimizing the Witness Server
Justified the use of the existing file server (MK-FS) as DAG witness rather than deploying additional infrastructure. This balances assignment requirements with real-world best practices for witness server placement using Node & File Share Majority quorum model.
Project Gallery
Technical Highlights
Automatic Failover
DAG provides automatic mailbox database failover ensuring email continuity even during server maintenance or failure.
Autodiscover
Clients automatically configure email settings through DNS-based autodiscover, eliminating manual setup.
Storage Spaces
Resilient file shares built on Windows Storage Spaces provide reliable storage for departmental data.
Technologies Used
Core Platform
Directory Services
Network Services
Exchange Management
High Availability
Storage
Project Outcomes
- Deployed production-ready, collaborative messaging platform from ground up
- Achieved high availability for mailbox databases through properly configured DAG
- Demonstrated critical thinking by justifying use of existing file server as DAG witness
- Provided secure, role-based email and calendaring for all departments
- Automated client configuration through DHCP and GPO-driven drive maps
- Streamlined group communications through Distribution Groups and Shared Mailboxes
Value Delivered
The solution ensures email service resilience in event of server failure while balancing assignment requirements with real-world best practices for witness server placement.
