Installing Exchange prior to assigning domain

chuser · ‎11-16-2005

Hello - Quick Question - I am installing a lab unity primary, failover and exchange server. I can't have the server to build as the exchange one until tomorrow. I am at the point on the unity servers between loading SQL and Exchange. Since I can't assign them to the domain controller yet is it okay to load Exchange and the associated service packs, or will it mess something up? Thanks.

s.pederson · ‎11-16-2005

I think I understand your question -

You cannot install Exchange Server 2000 unless your server belongs to the Windows 200x Domain.

During the installation process (or beforehand by running ForestPrep/DomainPrep) the Exchange installation makes changes to the Active Directory structure to add Exchange-specific fields (extensions to the Schema). Some of these fields display when you look at a user in "Active Directory Users and Computers".

Hope this helps!

Scott

Tommer Catlin · ‎11-17-2005

yes, you need a domain somewhere for Exchange. Exchange will not load without a domain. The server you are loading either has to be it's own domain, or a member, or DC of another domain. Then Exchange can load.

If you are testing, i would just create a seperate domain, and load the rest of Exchange and SQL/unity.