[imail] imail using external SQL database

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Hi all.     (I am not familiar with SQL at all.) BUT...  we are running imail 7.05 w/ hksi webmail templates. Aprox 200 domains ----->  Aprox 2500-3000 users total. Dell Power Edge 4400 (dual xeon 800) processors 1gb ram Raid 5 storage.. NT4 / sp6     1.  Are there any negatives to using an EXTERNAL database vs. the imail DB? (any features that do NOT work once we move to External?) Are there any positives?   1a:   How stable is this solution?? 2.  Can SQL server run on the same box as imail?   3.  Can we use SQL for some of our domains and the imail internal db for the rest? (none of our mail domains are "virtual" -- they all have individual public IP's)   4.  Can imail "reach out across the internet" to validate users on another SQL server at a remote location?   5. How good is HKSI's SQL Utility?     Thanks!!