exchange server hardware advice required 1

[kolokithi]

folks,

our exchange 2000 server is creaking at the seams. i had exchange 2003 in mind but recently got wind of the fact the exchange 2007 is coming out.

I'm relatively new to the admin world so i was wondering what sort of hardware you'd recommend for a total email storage of aroung 100GB. Do i need multiple processors? 64-bit OS? how much RAM? raid5? backup solution?

Also not familiar with this 'software assurance' mumbo jumbo. Does this mean annual payments to microsoft?

thanks in advance,

ck

 

[anawrocki]

Exchange 2007 is going to be 64 Bit Only, so you will need 64 bit hardware and OS. All other specs are really dependant upon server usage. Depending upon your setup / roles the server will play you may want/need more than one server.

SA is optional and generally can be purchased annually or for a longer term if desired.

 

[Marcs41]

Have a look at:

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2006/09/25/428994.aspx

Marc
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}

 

[onsetcomp]

Don't forget several gigs of ram too.

 

[Zelandakh]

4GB is you can get away with it.

 

[crobin1]

Since Exchange 2007 is 64-bit and runs on 64-bit Windows, you can actually use more than 4GB RAM if you can afford it and need it. With a 100GB data store more memory would help performance.

 

[Zelandakh]

Yes, but someone running Windows 2000 and Exchange 2000 and asking that sort of question is only going to be able to afford Windows Standard with its 4GB RAM maximum. More than that requires Windows Enterprise and is about 2.5 times the cost.

 

[crobin1]

Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 and R2 Standard x64 support up to 32GB RAM:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/64bit/x64/standard.mspx

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888732

 

[Zelandakh]

Nicely - see, I learned something today. Star for you Sir.

 

[kolokithi]

thanks for all your comments so far.

If i convice the manager to go for exchange 2007 we will be buying some 64-bit hardware. i had a quick read through

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2006/09/25/428994.aspx

and i think a single server with 4 cores will do the job.

we are currently using Mailsweeper as an email gateway but i'm not too happy with it. does anyone know if the Edge Trasport role of exchange 2007 can do the same or better job? if it can then i guess we need another 64-bit sever

I haven't seen any antivirus products for 64-bit windows or exchange 2007. anyone know more?

 

[Zelandakh]

Edge transport should do similar and yes you'll need a second 64 bit server.

Sophos has a 64 bit client IIRC. Antigen should work on Exchange 2007