Deployment Scenarios for RPC over HTTP
Depending on your Microsoft® Exchange Server 2003 topology, there are several methods for deploying RPC over HTTP. This topic provides information about the supported scenarios and includes links to the appropriate procedures.
Running Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 1
The following deployment scenarios for RPC over HTTP are supported on Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 1:
Front-end/back-end scenario
In this scenario, you have the following roles:
One or more front-end servers running Exchange Server 2003 SP1
One or more back-end servers running either Exchange Server 2003 SP1 or Exchange Server 2003 without service packs
One or more global catalog servers
These three roles can all be deployed on separate servers, or you can have a server that is both an Exchange back-end server and a global catalog server. Your Exchange back-end servers can be clustered.
Note
If your back-end server is also a domain controller, it is recommended that you make this domain controller a global catalog server. If an RPC over HTTP back-end server is a domain controller but is not a global catalog server, you can experience problems with connectivity to this server.
For detailed steps about how to deploy RPC over HTTP in this scenario, see How to Deploy RPC over HTTP for the First Time on Exchange Server 2003 SP1 (Front-End/Back-End Scenario).
No front-end server
In this scenario, you have the following roles:
One or more back-end servers running Exchange Server 2003 SP1
One or more global catalog servers
These two roles can be on separate servers, or you can have a single server that is both an Exchange back-end server and a global catalog server.
Note
If your back-end server is also a domain controller, it is recommended that you make this domain controller a global catalog server. If an RPC over HTTP back-end server is a domain controller but is not a global catalog server, you can experience problems with connectivity to this server.
If your back-end servers are clustered, you cannot designate them as RPC proxy servers. You must designate a separate server as the RPC proxy server.
For detailed steps about how to deploy RPC over HTTP in this scenario, see How to Deploy RPC over HTTP for the First Time on Exchange Server 2003 SP1, No Front-End Server.
Running Exchange Server 2003 on Windows Small Business Server 2003
In this scenario you are running a Windows Small Business Server 2003 that includes Exchange Server 2003. For detailed steps on deploying RPC over HTTP in this scenario, see How to Deploy RPC over HTTP for the First Time in Small Business Server 2003 (Standard or Premium).
Running Exchange Server 2003 Without Service Packs
The following deployment scenarios for RPC over HTTP are supported on Exchange Server 2003 without server packs:
Front-end/back-end scenario
In this scenario, you have the following roles:
One or more front-end servers running Exchange Server 2003 without service packs
One or more back-end servers running Exchange Server 2003 without service packs
One or more global catalog servers
These three roles are all deployed on separate servers. Your Exchange back-end servers can be clustered.
For detailed steps for how to deploy RPC over HTTP in this scenario, see How to Deploy RPC over HTTP for the First Time on Exchange Server 2003, Front-End/Back-End Scenario.
Front-end/back-end scenario where at least one global catalog server is also a back-end Exchange server
In this scenario, you have the following roles:
One or more front-end servers running Exchange Server 2003 without service packs
At least one server that is both an Exchange back-end server and a global catalog server. You can have additional back-end servers and global catalog servers on separate servers.
Your Exchange back-end servers can be clustered.
Note
If your back-end server is also a domain controller, it is recommended that you make this domain controller a global catalog server. If an RPC over HTTP back-end server is a domain controller but is not a global catalog server, you can experience problems with connectivity to this server.
For detailed steps for how to deploy RPC over HTTP in this scenario, see How to Deploy RPC over HTTP for the First Time on Exchange Server 2003, Front-End/Back-End Scenario, Back End on Global Catalog Server.
No front-end server
In this scenario, you have the following roles:
One or more back-end servers running Exchange Server 2003 without service packs
One or more global catalog servers
These two roles are on separate servers.
If your back-end servers are clustered, you cannot designate them as RPC proxy servers. You must designate a separate server as the RPC proxy server.
For detailed steps about how to deploy RPC over HTTP in this scenario, see How to Deploy RPC over HTTP for the First Time on Exchange Server 2003, No Front-End Server.
No front-end server where at least one global catalog server is also a back-end Exchange server
In this scenario, you have the following roles:
One or more back-end servers running Exchange Server 2003 without service packs.
At least one of these servers is also a global catalog server. You can have additional back-end servers and global catalog servers on separate servers.
If your back-end servers are clustered, you cannot designate them as RPC proxy servers. You must designate a separate server as the RPC proxy server.
Note
If your back-end server is also a domain controller, it is recommended that you make this domain controller a global catalog server. If an RPC over HTTP back-end server is a domain controller but is not a global catalog server, you can experience problems with connectivity to this server.
For detailed steps for how to deploy RPC over HTTP in this scenario, see How to Deploy RPC over HTTP for the First Time on Exchange Server 2003, No Front-End Server, Back-End on Global Catalog Server.
Upgrading RPC over HTTP Deployment from Exchange Server 2003 to Exchange Server 2003 SP1
In this scenario, you have already deployed RPC over HTTP in your Exchange Server 2003 organization and you are now upgrading to Exchange Server 2003 SP1. To use RPC over HTTP in the upgraded organization, you must configure your servers.
For detailed steps for how to upgrade your RPC over HTTP deployment in this scenario, see How to Upgrade an Exchange Server 2003 RPC over HTTP Deployment to Exchange Server 2003 SP1.
For More Information
For more information, see the following topics: