Need help estimating deployment needs

[JGK]

I guess the basic question is, we have remote offices that are connected to corporate via T1s. How many users (approximate) can we have using the T1 to a exchange server located at corporate before the line is saturated and we have to put a server at the remote locations? The t1 is also used for VOIP and web/net access as well; net usage is generally fairly light. I can't find any quick/dirty guidlines for this anywhere on MS site at all. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, since we're trying to quote an estimate to the bigwigs.<br>
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Thanks,<br>
<br>
Justin

 

[Zelandakh]

In theory, leased lines should be used in chunks of 64kb/s per <b>concurrent</b> user. That is if you are using offline exchange. To connect properly to the Exchange server, 64kb/s per user will run like a dog. Best bet is to put a downstream Exchange server on a BDC in each remote office if that is possible. Remember that each and every remote site user connecting to exchange is a concurrent user while they have Exchange open even if they are not sending/receiving email.

 

[JGK]

What if online storage is being used? Does that number change significantly then?

 

[Zelandakh]

You mean backing up your data to the corporate site? If so, work out how much you are backing up, how often and what time of day you are doing it. Out of office hours back ups that don't touch working hours can be ignored unless they encroach into business hours.<br><br>Basically, work out what traffic goes over the line and when, use 64kb/s per concurrent user as a minimum and check your on line storage &quot;cost&quot; and that should bring you to a line size.

 

[JGK]

Actually, I was more curious as to if we're using server based private storage (as opposed to PST files on the local machines or network drives), if the bandwidth needs would go up considerably on an average basis.&nbsp;&nbsp;Where did that 64kbs number come from? (curious) Just general observations, or did someone do a white paper to that effect?

 

[Zelandakh]

The 64kb/s number is one I made up on the basis that it is what you get at home on ISDN and v similar to what you get via modem. People can relate to that.<br><br>I used this number to demonstrate to management that 30 Internet users and 100 email users on a 64kb/s leased line is going to give a few problems...