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Why Multiple Exchange servers

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Why Multiple Exchange servers - 31.Jan.2005 5:11:00 PM

NJGuy

Posts: 9
Joined: 29.Jan.2005
From: New Jersey
Status: offline

I am new to Exchange. I have a few design questions. I have already setup a single Exchange server. I would like to know at what point an organization would want 1 more Exchange server in their network. I would appreciate if somebody could give me examples when a company would need to get a second exchange server and the reasons for that.

Also would like you to point out what are the other reasons for multiple Exchange servers.

I am sure once I get response for this post, I will have more questions depending on what responses I get.

I have heard many organizations having more then 50 Exchange servers. What are the reasons for this need. Is it just the number of mailbox whoich determines the need? Are there other reasons?

Thanks in Advance.

Post #: 1

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RE: Why Multiple Exchange servers - 31.Jan.2005 5:32:00 PM

pjhutch

Posts: 3578
Joined: 21.Jul.2001
From: W Yorks, England
Status: offline

We used to have 2 Exchange servers, one for staff and one for students.
Now that we have moved to Exch 2000, we have 6 Exchange servers, staff and students are spread evenly across the servers by dept/school.

The main reason for this is resilience and fault tolerance. If a server went down only 1/6 of staff or students is affected and not all staff or students is affected on the old system.

We also have 2 OWA Exchange servers and 2 SMTP MTA Exchange servers to talk to internet.

For small orgs (<75 users), a single Exchange server is all that is required.

If you need mail access over the internet, then a front/back end system is recommended so that the backend server is behind the firewall and protected and your frontend server is visible to internet and only OWA/POP3 and/or IMAP is available.

(in reply to NJGuy)

Post #: 2

RE: Why Multiple Exchange servers - 31.Jan.2005 5:57:00 PM

NJGuy

Posts: 9
Joined: 29.Jan.2005
From: New Jersey
Status: offline

Thanks for your reply. I understand you saying that for an organization with size less then 75 users, 1 single Exchange server should be good enough.

That still does not answe my question, when would i go for 2nd and then 3rd and then 4th Exchange servers depending on what factors?

Is it just number of users factor? Is so, at what point?

Thanks in Advance

(in reply to NJGuy)

Post #: 3