Create Exchange 2010 Client Access Array

In this post, I will cover how to create an Exchange 2010 SP3 Client Access Array.

Exchange 2010 introduced a new logical structure to the Exchange organization: The Client Access server array. When a Client Access server array is defined in an Active Directory site, it serves as a single contact point for all client connections within that Active Directory site. A Client Access server array can include one or many Client Access servers.

Let’s start by creating the Client Access Array using the following cmdlet.

After the Client Access array has been created, you’ll also need to create the address in DNS and associate it with the virtual IP address used for the Client Access array.

Configure Your Mailbox Database

Each Mailbox database contains an RPCClientAccessServer value. This value is established when the database is created and it determines the Client Access server or Client Access array that the clients with mailboxes on that Mailbox server will use. This value also determines the location of the RPC end point.

Note: For Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010 clients, this value is obtained from the Autodiscover service.

Let’s go ahead and verify the RPCClientAccessServer Details on the Mailbox Database by running the following cmdlet.

Important: It is recommended that directory and MAPI ports are fixed. By fixing the MAPI and directory endpoints, you can greatly reduce the number of ports that need to be load balanced. The MAPI endpoint can be statically configured in the registry and the directory endpoint can be fixed in a configuration file.

To fix the MAPI endpoint, use the following setting in the registry.

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ Services\MSExchangeRPC\ParametersSystem\TCP/IP Port [DWORD] is the value for the IP port to use

To fix the directory services endpoint, edit the RpcTcpPort value in the configuration file Microsoft.Exchange.AddressBook.Service.Exe.config for Exchange Server 2010 RTM. For Exchange Server 2010 SP1, use HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MSExchangeAB\Parameters and RPCTcpPort REG_SZ value..

Any port number can be chosen between 59531 and 60554. For reference, please refer to below article:

Understanding RPC Client Access

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee332317.aspx

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