How to Create a Routing Group

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By default, Microsoft® Exchange Server functions as though all servers are in a single routing group. Based on your administrative requirements, your network topology, and the reasons that are discussed in Configuring a Routing Topology, you can group servers into routing groups to enable Exchange Server to maximize message flow efficiency.

By default, all servers in a native-mode Exchange Server organization are placed in a single routing group, called First Routing Group, and these servers communicate directly with one another. In a mixed-mode environment (where some servers are running Exchange Server version 5.5 or earlier), each Exchange Server 5.5 site becomes a routing group.

Note

For more information about the difference between routing groups in mixed and native mode, see "Using Routing Groups in Native and Mixed Modes" in Understanding Routing Components.

After installation, you can create additional routing groups in your Exchange organization. When you install additional Exchange servers into an existing organization, you can then designate the appropriate routing groups for these servers. After installation, you can also move servers between routing groups.

When you create a routing group, two containers appear beneath the routing group:

  • Connectors   Displays any connectors that are installed on the servers within the routing group. This list includes any connectors to third-party mail systems, such as the Lotus Notes or Novell GroupWise connector, as well as any routing group connectors, X.400 connectors, and SMTP connectors that you configure.

  • Members   Displays the servers within this routing group. By default, the routing group master is the first server that is added to a routing group.

Note

Before you can create routing groups, you must configure your Exchange organization to display routing groups. In Exchange System Manager, right-click your Exchange organization, click Properties, and then select the Display routing groups check box.

Before You Begin

The following permissions are required to perform this procedure:

  • Member of the local administrators group and a member of a group that has had the Exchange Administrators role applied at the administrative group level.

Procedure

To create a routing group

  1. In Exchange System Manager, right-click Routing Groups, point to New, and then select Routing Group.

  2. On the General tab, in the Name box, enter a name for the routing group, and then click OK.

    General tab for routing group

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