Installing Microsoft Exchange 2013: How to Install the Mailbox Role

This post will go over the basic installation steps for installing the Mailbox and CAS server roles of Exchange 2013.  In my previous post, I went over how to prepare Active Directory for the installation of Exchange 2013 and discussed some design ideas in an earlier post.

We will go over the installation steps for our TX-MBOX1 and TX-CAS1 servers from the GUI installation on the Exchange 2013 DVD.

Installing the Mailbox Server Role

• Insert or mount the Exchange 2013 DVD in your first Mailbox Server
• You must install the Mailbox Server role first

• Check for Updates?: Select Connect to the Internet and check for updates and follow the prompts for updates.  
• I will not be selecting this option as I am in a disconnected Lab environment without internet access.  I will install any Service Pack or CU later on after the infrastructure is built out on all Exchange 2013 servers

• Copying Files...:  Exchange setup will copy files to your hard drive prior to the next step.  After a couple minutes it will move on to the next screen.

• Introduction: Click Next

• License Agreement:  Select I accept the terms in the license agreement and click Next

• Recommended Settings:  Choose Use recommended settings if you would like to send error report data to Microsoft and click Next

• Server Role Selection: If this is your first Exchange 2013 server you must install the Mailbox role first.  You may also choose to select the CAS server role if this is a dual purpose server and there will be additional CAS options required if you do.  These will be covered in the How to Install the CAS Server Role. Click Next
• Leave the Automatically install Windows Server roles an features that are required to install Exchange Server check box selected unless you want to manually configure the required roles and features.  

• Installation Space and Location: Change the drive letter of the installation if you would like and click Next.  
• I highly recommend leaving the folder structure in tact because you will find that all articles and scripts reference the default path.

• Malware Protection Settings: Always select No not disable Malware scanning.  Even if you have a third party scanner I still recommend using the built in Malware scanner to provide an additional layer of protection for your Enterprise.  The overhead is minimal compared to the benefit.

• Readiness Checks:  The installation will now begin it's final checks before you can install Exchange 2013.  Once the checks have completed, click Install.
• My first run at the installation has failed with the following readiness checks.
• The computer requires the Microsoft Unified Communications Managed API4.0, Core Runtime 64-bit 
• Download From Here
• The computer requires the Microsoft Office 2010 Filter Packs - Version 2.0
• Download From Here - Be sure to download the 64-bit version
• This computer requires the Microsoft Office 2010 Filter Packs - Version 2.0 - Service Pack 1
• Download From Here
• These are all known prerequisites and are listed on Microsoft's site for installing Exchange found here.

• Setup Completed: Click Finish to complete the installation.  Be sure to reboot the machine after you complete the installation.

NOTE: I have run into a very particular error when installing the Mailbox server role in a domain that had a previous Exchange 2007 installation that was not fully removed cleanly.  The error occurs on Step 7 of the Mailbox server installation and mentions that an item is not in the list of possSuperiors.  IF you run into this issue, the solution can be found here and I can walk you through it as well.  Just send me a message.

This concludes Installing Microsoft Exchange 2013: How to Install the Mailbox Role.

I hope this was helpful and informative to you and I would appreciate any feedback you may have.