Exchange 2003 Lab Deployment for 70-284

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Hi Guys
Just about to deploy a new lab setup for some EX 2003 training
Im looking for some feedback for those that hold an exchange cert re: appropriate requirements

I was looking at the following

|==============================|
| Single Domain
|Site 1________________Site 2
|Server 1______________Server 2
|Exchange Std__________Exchange Std
|XP Client 1
|==============================|


I have two servers to simulate any form of replication and such that might be required for the exam, and im also getting myself the Sybex book (i hate sybex books, but its one of the few i found for the 70-284)

 

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Hi Phoenix

I did the EX2K verson of the exam.

First question I have to ask is how much expearance of Exchange do you have?

The lab looks fine - can you get your hands on a copy of Exchange 5.5

 

i have basic administration experiance with exchange
and i mean very basic

hence my desire to learn much more as im missing out of a few roles at the moment due to my lack of knowledge
i should be able to get 5.5 as i have access to an MSDN universal account

 

Ryan I did the 2000 exam and was on a course last week for 2003. As far as I can see there is very little difference between the two, the main thing for me is the vastly improved OWA.

The lab setup you have there looks ok, as Sandy said I would get hold of 5.5 since upgrading 5.5 to 2003 will certainly be a part of the exam if the course was anything to go by. Plus it would be worthwhile because it seems there are quite a few companies out there which didn't make thew leap to 2000 and are doing 5.5 > 2003. Working with 2000 and looking to upgrade I was in a minority on the course.

Phil

 

Thanks Phil
id appreciate a bit more info when you get a chance, being you have just been on a course (im guessing a MOC course?)

what setup would be best for 5.5

NT4? and do a dual migration from NT -> 2003 then exchange to 2003?

or perhaps 2000+5.5 -> 2003+2003 or just 2000+5.5 -> 2000+2003?

catch me on msn if you like, as i probably have a fair few questions when u have a min

thanks for your help guys, going to download 5.5 now

 

No probs. Yup it was an MOC course, 2400B Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. For the Labs the whole thing was done on a single PC using MS Virtual PC, we had 3 servers (2 x W2K3 & 1 x NT) and 1 workstation (XP). The labs we did involving the upgrade from 5.5 revolved around migrating users and mailboxes off the NT/5.5 domain onto W2K3 using ADMT rather than any in place upgrade.

I'll try and catch you later on MSN mate.

 

appreciate it mate, im up most hours, so should catch you at one point or another

 

Like most here I've got Exchange 2000 rather than 2K3 eventhough I do have a 2K3 Exchange server set up.

If your MSDN account allows you might want to download Exchange 2K3 Enterprise as that version would offer a little more functionality than standard.

For a home lab I doubt you'll get close to the 16 Gig limit but (assuming 2K3 has similar limits as 2K) you'll be limited to 1 mail & 1 public folder store. Enterprise ed. would give you the oppertunity to use multiple storage groups, stores and set different configs on each of them. Other than that it looks like you are pretty well prepared.

PS I have the 2K3 Exchange MOC and hope to take a crack at it within the next 2 - 3 months, so don't be surprised if I'm asking you for tips

 

the Plot has thickened somwahat after my recent VMWare lab deployment

its now something like this

Single Domain (virtuallab.lan)
Site1_______________Site1____________Site2
EX01 + EX02_______EXFE01+EXFE02_____EX03
Ex2003 Ent__________Ex2003___________Ex2003
CLUSTER___________NLB_______________StandAlone
BackEnd____________FrontEnd__________StandAlone