basic guidlines to deploy exchange server

[sphilip]

We are planning on setting up an exchange server for 200 plus users to
increase to 500 in the coming 3 years.

we wud like to basic guidelines for setting up an exchange server
environment so as to RFP from an IT solutions company

We wish to use the HP DL380. We wish to have the mailboxes on a seperate
hard drive. OWA for 75-100users.

I would like some advice on

1. whether to have mirror or raid5e
2. the most efficient antivirus & spam blocking, exchange based
3. backup system, shpuld we opt for DLT backups or MSA, cost implications?


we wish to set-up a SMTP-POP3 where users can configure their outlooks at
various outside locations to download their mails from this server.

The server will always be online with 512 kbps leased line connection

we would appreciate if we can get some expertise advice on any specs that we
have missed out and also the best know methods.

thanks

[Barry]

I'm doing a similar migration from W2k to W2k3 using the same hardware so
I'd like to find a few "not to's" as well.

If you want a spam solution for 200 bucks that kicks a** check out ORF (open
Relay Filter) from Vamsoft. We implemented it to stop Dictionary attacts and
user authenication against Exchange 2000 and its the bomb. In 280 days we
are running a 98% spam hit rate on 3 million messages for 120 mail boxes.

www.vamsoft.com/orf

Good luck
Barry


"sphilip" <sphilip@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1B058734-AADB-420B-9DDE-789A12BE8CD5@microsoft.com...

We are planning on setting up an exchange server for 200 plus users to
increase to 500 in the coming 3 years.

we wud like to basic guidelines for setting up an exchange server
environment so as to RFP from an IT solutions company

We wish to use the HP DL380. We wish to have the mailboxes on a seperate
hard drive. OWA for 75-100users.

I would like some advice on

1. whether to have mirror or raid5e
2. the most efficient antivirus & spam blocking, exchange based
3. backup system, shpuld we opt for DLT backups or MSA, cost implications?


we wish to set-up a SMTP-POP3 where users can configure their outlooks at
various outside locations to download their mails from this server.

The server will always be online with 512 kbps leased line connection

we would appreciate if we can get some expertise advice on any specs that
we
have missed out and also the best know methods.

thanks

[Jonathan Norris]

There almost should be a Best Practices section in this Newsgroup.

Inplace upgrades from 2000 to 2003 usually go well assuming you are
currently following Best Practices.

You should review the Exchange 2003 Deployment Guides that MS has out there.
They do give you some basic general rules to follow.

Good luck, and make sure you have a Full backup.

1. whether to have mirror or raid5e
Usually Raid 5 or higher for Databases.
Raid 0 for the Transaction Logs.
Some people go lower, having the DB and Transaction Logs seperate in this
configuration increases recoverablility and performance.

2. the most efficient antivirus & spam blocking, exchange based
I like Sybari Antigen for Enterprise, microsoft recently aquired them.

3. backup system, shpuld we opt for DLT backups or MSA, cost implications?
Depends on how fast and how much data you will have.

Also there are other solutions out there RPC/HTTP using ISA and Outlook 2003
Outlook Web Access that looks like Outlook
VPN technology and Cached Mode Outlook 2003

Depends on the size of your environment and your budget.

"Barry" wrote:

I'm doing a similar migration from W2k to W2k3 using the same hardware so
I'd like to find a few "not to's" as well.

If you want a spam solution for 200 bucks that kicks a** check out ORF (open
Relay Filter) from Vamsoft. We implemented it to stop Dictionary attacts and
user authenication against Exchange 2000 and its the bomb. In 280 days we
are running a 98% spam hit rate on 3 million messages for 120 mail boxes.

www.vamsoft.com/orf

Good luck
Barry


"sphilip" <sphilip@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1B058734-AADB-420B-9DDE-789A12BE8CD5@microsoft.com...
We are planning on setting up an exchange server for 200 plus users to
increase to 500 in the coming 3 years.

we wud like to basic guidelines for setting up an exchange server
environment so as to RFP from an IT solutions company

We wish to use the HP DL380. We wish to have the mailboxes on a seperate
hard drive. OWA for 75-100users.

I would like some advice on

1. whether to have mirror or raid5e
2. the most efficient antivirus & spam blocking, exchange based
3. backup system, shpuld we opt for DLT backups or MSA, cost implications?


we wish to set-up a SMTP-POP3 where users can configure their outlooks at
various outside locations to download their mails from this server.

The server will always be online with 512 kbps leased line connection

we would appreciate if we can get some expertise advice on any specs that
we
have missed out and also the best know methods.

thanks

[Hank Arnold]

Comments in-line.....

--
Regards,
Hank Arnold

"sphilip" <sphilip@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1B058734-AADB-420B-9DDE-789A12BE8CD5@microsoft.com...

We are planning on setting up an exchange server for 200 plus users to
increase to 500 in the coming 3 years.

First thing you need to do is run a sizer to calculate how much
CPU/Memory/.DASD you need. Dell has one. Making changes later can be costly
(time & money) as well as not possile (rack systems have limited
expandability)...

we wud like to basic guidelines for setting up an exchange server
environment so as to RFP from an IT solutions company

We wish to use the HP DL380. We wish to have the mailboxes on a seperate
hard drive. OWA for 75-100users.

I would like some advice on

1. whether to have mirror or raid5e

Ideally, you should have:

C: OS/Exchange software RAID 1 2 drives
d: Log files RAID 1 2 drives
E: Data Stores RAID 5 3 drives
(or RAID 5 w/hot spare 4 drives)
(or RAID 10 4 drives)

If that's not possible, post back and we can look at other alternatives.

2. the most efficient antivirus & spam blocking, exchange based

You'll get a lot of recommendations.... We use Symantec Anti Virus. Lots of
folks recommend Trend Micro or McAffee. First thing to do is look at the
vendor for your current AntiVirus software (you *ARE* running AV on your
servers and workstatiosn???) See if they have an agent for Exchange. There
may be stand alone scanners for Exchange, but it's usully a seperate agent
that is purchased.

An alternative could be a 3rd party service. We use MessageLabs for AV, SPAM
and Image scanning all incoming and outgoing external e-mails. It can be a
cost effective solution and eleviates the urgent need to keep up with the
viruses out there....

3. backup system, shpuld we opt for DLT backups or MSA, cost implications?

We use a DLT tape drive. Only disadvantage is it requires manual
intervention to change the tape. We do a full backup every day at 3AM and
incremental backups every 4 hours. We change the tape after teh 3PM backup
and keep it off site (actually,we keep two levels of backup off site). Daily
tapes are recycled every day except the "Monday" tape. We keep 3 weekly
backups on the tape and have 5 "Monday" tapes that are rotated. I'm not
sure whta "MSA" is.....

we wish to set-up a SMTP-POP3 where users can configure their outlooks at
various outside locations to download their mails from this server.

The server will always be online with 512 kbps leased line connection

we would appreciate if we can get some expertise advice on any specs that
we
have missed out and also the best know methods.

thanks

[Asher_N]

"=?Utf-8?B?c3BoaWxpcA==?=" <sphilip@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news:1B058734-AADB-420B-9DDE-789A12BE8CD5@microsoft.com:

We are planning on setting up an exchange server for 200 plus users to
increase to 500 in the coming 3 years.

we wud like to basic guidelines for setting up an exchange server
environment so as to RFP from an IT solutions company

We wish to use the HP DL380. We wish to have the mailboxes on a
seperate hard drive. OWA for 75-100users.

I would like some advice on

1. whether to have mirror or raid5e

1) OS/Exchange software/Windows swap file RAID1, 2 drives. 18-36GB
2) Exchange logs RAID1 2 drives as large as
you need to accomodate a full days mail, 72GB
3) Data Store RAID5 at least 3 drives, the
more spindles, the better the overall performance, ie you are better off
with 6 36GB than 3 72GB. May require an external enclosure for the
drives.

If external enclosure is not feasible, the OS and log file drives can be
mounted internally, using all of the hot swap space for the store. I can
live with running my OS unprotected for a while before I schedule
downtime for erplacement. I'd rather not run an unprotected array on my
data store.

2. the most efficient antivirus & spam blocking, exchange based

I use McAfee. I have no complaints about it.

3. backup system, shpuld we opt for DLT backups or MSA, cost
implications?

I use a Quantum ValueLoader DLT VS160. 2U rack-mountable or tabletop

unit, accomodates up yo 8 VS1 DLT tapes (80/160). Good unit. pretty
cheap.

we wish to set-up a SMTP-POP3 where users can configure their outlooks
at various outside locations to download their mails from this server.

The server will always be online with 512 kbps leased line connection

we would appreciate if we can get some expertise advice on any specs
that we have missed out and also the best know methods.

thanks