Given those numbers - I'd start with the Exchange 2007 storage calculator. Depending on whether or not the mailbox SIZE is actually 2GB (versus a quota), you're going to be spending a LOT of money and disks on IOPS delivery instead of capacity delivery. Not that it's a bad thing -- just an expensive thing in money, power and footprint for your SAN.
Microsoft is also pushing direct-attached storage again for Exchange. There are some good Microsoft IT whitepapers on the topic. This is to reduce complexity and to deliver those all-important IOPS for cheaper. I'd also go to CA/XOSoft and ask them for a justification over Exchange 2007 SP1 SCR. MessageOne certainly still has better features, but I haven't looked at XOSoft yet (and we're even an XOSoft shop for Exchange 2003, today). Don't forget to add IOPS for BES users. Because BES isn't a cached mode connection, and the service account is making so many MAPI calls to the mailboxes, it can easily require 3-6 time the IOPS as a cached mode Outlook 2007 client. The calculator has a spot for 'extra IOPS' to build some in. You can download the calculator here: http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2007/01/15/432207.aspx This is the same sizing tool that any (and every) consultant or services group will be using...so it should be very helpful to tell you what you're dealing with for hardware and storage requirements. For backup strategy - I highly recommend looking at DPM 2007 from Microsoft. --James -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Chee Lam Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:12 AM To: Exchange Discussions Subject: Exchange Design Best Practices Questions Dear List: Given scenario of 1500 - 2000 users with mailbox size of 2GB each spread all over north america. There will be BES in place too. How would one design an Exchange environment that covers high availability, redundant with failover and good backup strategy? Need to pick some ideas from the real world experts :) things I am considering: SAN, redundant WAN links, second site with third party failover (XO soft?) at least 2-4 servers per site? Any comments appreciated. Thanks. Chee _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/read/?forum=exchange To subscribe: http://e-newsletters.internet.com/discussionlists.html/ To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with. _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/read/?forum=exchange To subscribe: http://e-newsletters.internet.com/discussionlists.html/ To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with.
