Using MCDB

Question

I am setting up a new Exchange environment which will include DAGs.
1). Can I set up and use MCDB technology without DAGs? (Both servers have SSD).
2). Is there anything special I need to do with the first Exchange server's mailbox database for a DAG to be successful?

Please advise.

Thank you,

Answer 1

1. No, it requires a DAG https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/high-availability/database-availability-groups/metacachedatabase-setup?view=exchserver-2019#prerequisites
   Though technically, you probably could, there is probably no real value in doing so. Much like there is no real value in a single Exchange server. :)
   MCDB relies on the auto reseed functionality, something that doesnt exist with a non-DAG Exchange 2019 server.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/exchange/enable-metacachedatabase?view=exchange-ps

3. No. You can add it to other mailbox servers and replicate it or remove it. If you decide to remove it, ensure you move any arbitration mailboxes that may be created there to other replicated databases first (get-mailbox -arbitration)

As a rule, I always remove the default database on any new Exchange Server I build and create fresh databases and replicate those.