I’m about to setup a simple new network and will be migrating exchange data from the previous 2003 based network to the new network. We have 3 servers, two of them are Dell 2950s, the other is a slightly older Dell 1425. All machines will be running Windows Server 2003.
The plan I have in mind is to install Exchange 2007 on one of the 2950s and use it as a back end Exchange server. Then install Exchange 2003 on the 1425 and use it as a front end server. The other 2950 is going to be used as a small custom database server but can potentially accommodate another function – I was considering setting it up as the overall Domain Controller with Active Directory.
Is this a sensible solution and use of resources? Will it work? Am I right in thinking that Active Directory is best kept off the back end Exchange server in this situation?