Install Exchange 2010 rollups on DAG servers

By Steven Jordan on 4/17/2014

Takeaway:  Steps on how to apply Windows updates to the Exchange Data Availability Group (DAG) servers.  Take care when applying Exchange service pack rollups on Patch Tuesday.

1. Prevent the server from activating databases.  N.B., Exchange continues to keep databases current; however it will not activate if other DAG members become unavailable.

Get-MailboxDatabaseCopyStatus –Server (hostname) | Suspend-MailboxDatabaseCopy –ActivationOnly –Confirm:$false

2. Migrate all active databases to another DAG member

Move-ActiveMailboxDatabse -Server (hostname) -ActivateOnServer (Other DAG Member) 


3. Check activation status with PowerShell:

Get-MailboxDatabaseCopyStatus –Server (hostname) | Select Name, ActivationSuspended, MailboxServer
Get-MailboxDatabase | Select Name, ActivationPreference, Server

4. It's safe to install the Exchange roll-ups when activation is suspended. Proceed with patching.


5. Re-enable the database after patching is complete. N.B., This server only becomes active if the other DAG member becomes unavailable.
Get-MailboxDatabaseCopyStatus –Server (hostname) | Resume-MailboxDatabaseCopy

6. Repeat the process for the remaining DAG servers: (a) prevent activation, (b) migrate active database to another DAG member, (c) install the roll-ups, (d) resume activation.

That's It!

References:  http://www.ehloworld.com/167