We are using Dell 6450's (dual 1Ghz/2GB RAM/128GB array drive) clustered in a SAN environment, running active/pasive, working great. Exchange 5.5 SP4, W2K, SP2, in a AD domain, approx. 1500 users per cluster (we have 5 clusters). I agree with William, Active/Active can be very tough to configure correctly but, as Matt pointed out they do have it working so it can be done.
Not sure where you came up with the 500 limit, we had approx. 3000 users each on 3 Exchange boxes before migrating to the 5 clusters and were running with no performance issues. We also had mailbox limits setup (50-75MB depending on the user) so that helped some. With 2000 there should not be a problem putting all 2500 users across on two clusters, they could even probably be put on one cluster (depending on mailbox sixes - if you don't have limits and have some LARGE mailboxes, then you could have some performance issues. You'll get better performance out of dual/quad processor boxes than single and the more memory the better. The box your proposing should be fine though for your environment. We can recommend all types of configurations but you need to decide what is right for your company and your administration. Al Covaleski Network Systems Administrator C City of Austin ISD (512) 974-9167 Work (512) 802-6750 Pager (603) 825-2654 Fax to Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] >I have posted before asking if anyone was using Exchange 2000 in a >clustering or SAN configuration. I seem to remember that some had said >that >they found a benefit to connecting to the SAN but that there seemed to >be a >consensus that Exchange did not really do well in a clustering >environment >for a site of 2500 users. Is this correct? > >That being the case I am looking at bringing E2k up on a Dell 4600 >2GHz/512k >XEON with 2GB memory and 4x74GB RAID drives. Has anyone had any >experience >running Exchange on that type of hardware and size? Also, when I first >brought up my 5.5 site we were told to keep it at about 500 mailboxes per >server. Do I still need to follow that with 2000? > >I know that there are a lot of variables and that there is no one right >setup for everyone, but I am going in the right direction? > >Ken Powell >Systems Administrator >Clark County Office of Budget and Information Services (OBIS) >Vancouver, Washington >[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Voice: (360) 397-6121 x4658 >Fax: (360) 759-6001 List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm
