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Exchange 2007 Disk configuration - 16.Jul.2008 4:14:56 PM

glewin1

Posts: 5
Joined: 14.Feb.2008
Status: offline

I'm looking for some advice on my Exchange disk layout. I am building a single Exchange 2007 Standard server. I would like to implement LCR. I have a server with 6x73GB drives in it. I only have about a 100 users and my current Exchange 2003 store is about 15GB. I would like to create multiple(2 or 3) storage groups. I would like to know if 3 RAID 1 sets or a RAID 1(OS) and a RAID 10(Logs&DB's) is the better option.

Thanks in advance.

Greg

Post #: 1

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RE: Exchange 2007 Disk configuration - 17.Jul.2008 9:02:27 AM

Sembee

Posts: 3503
Joined: 17.Jan.2008
From: Somewhere near London, UK
Status: offline

The rules haven't changed since Exchange 2003. You still want to have the transaction logs and the databases on separate arrays. If you don't then the performance of the server will take a significant hit.

My blog posting from 2006 on Exchange 2003 storage config still applies today with your scenario of six disks.
http://www.sembee.co.uk/archive/2006/11/06/30.aspx

100 users with a 15gb store - you must have them on very tight mailbox restrictions. If you don't see any growth then you could go to three arrays, each being mirrored. If there will be growth then you need to increase the number of disk to use LCR effectively.

Considering the size of the store, I wonder if you have been encouraging users to use PST files for storage of email. If you have then you may want to reconsider that policy, particularly if the email is of any value. I compare PST files to a cardboard box with a label on the side. Easily crushed, easily lost and you can never be sure that everything you put in there is still there.

As for your plan to have multiple storage groups - I don't see the point. With a store of that size the benefits of multiple storage groups are limited to using them for configuration only. The most common reason to use multiple SGs is to split the data up for ease of recovery.

Simon.

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Simon Butler,
Exchange MVP
Blog: http://www.sembee.co.uk/
Web: http://www.amset.info/
In the UK? Hire me: http://www.amset.co.uk/

(in reply to glewin1)

Post #: 2

RE: Exchange 2007 Disk configuration - 17.Jul.2008 11:11:55 AM

McFly

Posts: 7
Joined: 17.Jul.2008
Status: offline

you might want to check the following link wich could give you a idea of size, performance, memory and growth.
http://blog.exchange-guy.dk/

I agree with Sembee that the configuration might be a bit tight. Considering how users think of mail-space. - the idea of getting a G-mail account with 2-5 g storage for free.

cheers

_____________________________

�The road to wisdom? Well, it's plain and simple to express: Err and err again but less and less and less.� - Piet Hein

(in reply to glewin1)

Post #: 3