Domain Controller Cluster, Exchange, Network Load Balancing, Active Directory, Global Catalog, DNS, DHCP, ISA?

Question

Is this doable?

2 domain controllers (DC1 and DC2) in a cluster with:
Microsoft Server 2003 Enterprise
Microsoft Exchange 2003 Enterprise
Network Load Balancing
Active Directory
Global Catalog
DNS
DHCP
ISA

Are there any issues with running all of these services on a cluster of 2 machines?

Does the NLB (Network Load Balancing) work on the machines it is installed on? as in will it direct traffic to DC1 or DC2 depending on the individual server load or does the NLB need to be done before the cluster such as a hardware load balancing device?

What I am after is a configuration where:
* If a machine fails the system continues working fine.
* Another machine can be added to the cluster (say after a few years I want to upgrade the machines. I want to be able to take one offline and replace if with a new machine with better specs let it replicate then take the other offline and do the same).
* Each machine is being used (so one machine is not just sitting there waiting for the other to fail) (hence why I want to use NLB).

Answer 1

I do this now using VMware. I have 2 physical machines with network storage.



Also you still have to license the software.



But to answer your question, depends how big your environment is and what you do. If you had 10 people who are accountants, then I would say this wouldn't be a problem.



If you had 100 developers, 20 engineers, etc, then no it would not work.



But since your running enterprise software my guess is you are doing more then 25 people so I would say you may be pushing it.



Also I would split off ISA into its own box.

Answer 2

first i would never run all those services on 2 machines. let alone 1 machine...since your mirroring the second machine. Also for some services really aren't appropriate for NLB like (dhcp, dns) just put them on the server2 for failsafe/hot standby if server1 drops.



besides that the rest sounds fine. tbh i would use 4 servers, 1 for exchange, another for dhcp & dns, then you can do your loadbalancing for ms server2k3, AD, GC, ISA. I understand its not a perfect world. Just my 2 cents.

Answer 3

It takes 7 seconds for Y.A. question to open for me to be able to click on [add your answer] button. thus, is my laptop slow?

Answer 4

I want to find out more about this too