Install Microsoft Exchange 2007

Had a phone interview for a job in Los Angeles the other day.  They were looking for someone who had installed Microsoft Exchange in a larger environment.  I have done the install several times, version 2003 and 2007.   So this weekend I will be utilizing my 2008 R2 Hyper-V box to do a complete install of Exchange and setup users just to refresh my installation skills.  I will be updating this post with my installation steps and issues.  Step one will be to build a completely new Active Directory / Domain Controller / DNS Server.   I the real world you would be integrating into an existing infrastructure and bring along whatever problems may come up, but for my install I will have the luxury of a clean environment.    I have a VHD file with Server 2008 R2 already setup to use as an operating system template so I will not have to go through that install step. 

First Step is to copy my Windows Server 2008 R2 hard drive template to my virutal hard drive folder.   I renamed the copies to PDC1 and EXCH1, to coorespond to the Primary Domain Controller and the Exchange Server.  I setup the Hyper-V networking so that these installs will be in a completely isolated network from my web connected network.  I have a Windows XP template that I will be using as a client, got that copied and booted up.  Memory is a little tight but I am going to try and create a seperate OWA (Outlook Web Access) server that gateways across a firewall to the outside world.  My system has 8 Gigs of RAM and things will be tight. 

So Active Directory is now setup and functional, there are a few preliminary installation tasks that need to be done before Exchange can install; Setup Dot.NET, PowerShell, and the Management Console.  I actually remembered to get these installed before loading up the Exchange ISO.  Now to click the Install Button, accept license etc.   I am going to be selecting the Typical Exchange Installation which includes the Hub, Client, Mailbox and tools.  Next.  For my first organization I am naming it Home Office