Applies to: Exchange Server 2007 SP3, Exchange Server 2007 SP2, Exchange Server 2007 SP1, Exchange Server 2007
Topic Last Modified: 2007-10-30

This topic explains how to use the Exchange Management Console or the Exchange Management Shell to move a clustered mailbox server (CMS) between nodes. A CMS can only be moved from the active node to the passive node. Manually moving a CMS between nodes is called a handoff or a scheduled outage. Moving a CMS between nodes results in a brief interruption in service. In addition, any backups of any storage groups on the CMS are stopped.

Although the Failover Cluster Management tool (Windows Server 2008), Cluster Administrator (Windows Server 2003), and the Cluster.exe command-line tool in both operating systems can be used to move a CMS between nodes, we recommend using one of the following procedures to move a CMS from the active node to the passive node. The Exchange management tools perform health checks that the cluster tools do not perform, such as validating the health and state of the passive node before performing the handoff. If replication is not healthy or if these checks determine that the passive node is not in an acceptable state for a handoff, the Exchange management tools will not perform the handoff. If this happens and you still need to move the CMS to the passive node, you can use the cluster management tools to do that.

Note:
If a failure occurs late in the move process, the transition of the CMS to the passive node occurs. However, any affected databases are left offline or dismounted.
Note:
The Exchange Management Console procedure can only be performed using Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Before You Begin

To perform the following procedure, the account you use must be delegated the Exchange Server Administrator role and local Administrators group for the target server. For more information about permissions, delegating roles, and the rights that are required to administer Exchange 2007, see Permission Considerations.

You can use the Get-ClusteredMailboxServerStatus cmdlet to determine the node that is currently hosting the CMS. In addition, you can monitor the progress of the move to the passive node via the Get-ClusteredMailboxServerStatus cmdlet.

Procedure

To use the Exchange Management Console to move a CMS

  1. Open the Exchange Management Console.

  2. Expand Server Configuration, and then select Mailbox.

  3. In the result pane, right-click the CMS to be moved and select Manage Clustered Mailbox Server.

  4. The Manage Clustered Mailbox Server wizard starts. On the Introduction page, in the Management Action area, select Move the clustered mailbox server to another node, and then click Next.

  5. On the Move Clustered Mailbox Server page, click Browse to select the node to which you want to move the CMS. Select the passive node and click OK.

  6. In the Move comment field, type a comment or administrative note about the move, and then click Next.

  7. On the Progress page, click Move to hand off the CMS from the active node to the passive node.

  8. After the handoff has been successfully completed, the Completion page appears. Click Finish to close the wizard.

To use the Exchange Management Shell to move a CMS

  1. Open the Exchange Management Shell.

  2. Run the following command:

    Copy Code 
    Move-ClusteredMailboxServer -Identity:<CMSName> -TargetMachine:<PassiveNodeName> -MoveComment:<Comment>

For More Information

For more information about the command syntax for the Move-ClusteredMailboxServer cmdlet, see Move-ClusteredMailboxServer. For more information about the command syntax for the Get-ClusteredMailboxServerStatus cmdlet, see Get-ClusteredMailboxServerStatus.