1 - Performance probably doesn't apply given the modest number of users, as long as you properly design the environment. That argument would certainly apply to a 5,000-user server, but I don't think it does to a 400-user server.
2 - Cost always works in favor of virtualization unless you're virualizing a very small number of systems overall. 3 - This is certainly a consideration. You must be prepared to move Exchange off the virtualized platform to reproduce the issue if support gives up on you. Ed Crowley MCSE+Internet MVP Freelance E-Mail Philosopher Protecting the world from PSTs and Bricked Backups!T -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of subsoniq Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 9:30 AM To: Exchange Discussions Subject: Re: Nearly Full Exchange Server/Virtualization Help I would highly recommend against putting an exchange mailbox server on ESX, for numerous reasons. 1 - Performance, as someone pointed out Exchange is sensitive to resource constraints, and other VM's on the ESX server that are resource intensive can cause problems for the Exchange server 2 - Cost. Because Exchange is so sensitive it would only make sense if you limited the number of VM's you had on that server, but ESX is extremely expensive per CPU (I believe it costs several thousand USD per CPU), so that doesn't make sense financially. 3 - Support. Unless you're big enough and have an enterprise level type support agreement with Microsoft, they're not going to want to provide Exchange support for an Exchange server running on VMWare. For 400 users you can put together a 2U server with DAS (Direct Attached Storage) that will last you years, and it will be much cheaper than putting it on an ESX VM attached to a SAN. On Mon, May 26, 2008 at 3:04 AM, Paul Hutchings <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > At the current rate of usage, I reckon I have around 3 months until > our single Exchange 2003 SP2 Enterprise server is full. > > Adding more disk capacity isn't an option as there are no more drive > bays, plus the box is due to be replaced in around six months so it's > not viable to be throwing money at it now. > > We do have a 2 server ESX cluster sat on a Clariion AX4 FC SAN. [snip] _________________________________________________________________ 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.
