What fundamental method for simplifying clustering setup has changed with Exchange 2010 compared to previous Exchange versions (e.g.. 5.5, 2000, 2003, and 2007)?
ANSWER: Clustering setup is handled within the Exchange setup, and not within Windows. So, no more dealing with Windows Clustering Service, etc. This is a fundamental change from all previous Exchange clustering setups. This is great news!
More Background on HA and clustering for 2010…
Exchange 2010 integrates high availability into the core architecture of Microsoft Exchange to enable customers of all sizes and in all segments to be able to economically deploy a messaging continuity service in their organization. Exchange 2010 includes many changes to its core architecture. The following features in Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1) no longer exist in Exchange 2010: Local continuous replication (LCR) & Single copy clusters (SCC).
In addition to these features, the concept of a clustered mailbox server no longer exists in Exchange 2010. Two other features, cluster continuous replication (CCR) and standby continuous replication (SCR), have been merged and renamed as a set of new features in Exchange 2010: incremental deployment, continuous mailbox availability, database mobility, database copies, and database availability groups.