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date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:14:14 +0000 (UTC),
group: microsoft.public.exchange.design
back
Re: VMWare and iSCSI for Exchange 2007
On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:14:14 +0000 (UTC), MS Poster
wrote:
>Hello:
>
>We are assessing using VMWare and an iSCSI array for our small Exchange 2007
>deployment (around 150 users). We have a single new 64-bit server with 8GB
>of RAM and small mirrored local disks for the new Exchange box. That machine
>attaches to an iSCSI array for additional drive space. In general, we like
>virtualized machines for their flexibility.
>
>Questions:
>- With such a small user base, would it be useful to run VMWare on the new
>machine, emulate a few 64-bit servers, and run Ex2k7's various roles on different
>virtual machines?
>- Or am I better off running Exchange on the native hardware and consolidating
>all the roles on that box (and omitting the Edge role)?
>- Regarding drive layout for such a virtual configuration, I was planning
>to create separate volumes on the iSCSI array and attach them as separate
>LUNs to the host machine. One LUN for each virtual machine. Am I really gaining
>anything by doing this since the host is has only a single connection to
>the array?
>
>Many thanks.
>
You'll be hard pushed to find anyone who will gladly concur to you
putting the MB on VMware. Sure, the other roles (inc edge on a
separate guest) would be great. The major problem you have is one of
support. Go near VMware and MS will wash their hands of you. If you're
not bothered about getting the run around from dodgy support in the
former Empire then fine, it's a plan and a half. Go for it.
If you do, separate the roles and prioritize the mailbox roles over
the other ones (in VMware). If you're using ESX that's fine. Please
say this is an ESX based question?!?
The layouts are massively different based on what iSCSI SAN you've
got. Nobody can give you a legitimate answer until the vendor, model
and number/type/speed of disks are known. It's impossible.
date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:13:11 -0500
author: Mark Arnold [MVP]
Re: VMWare and iSCSI for Exchange 2007
Your best bet would be to not put it on there or wait for longhorn server.
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Dgoldman
http://blogs.msdn.com/dgoldman
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"Mark Arnold [MVP]" wrote in message
news:ku1oo3l4hdls7br48cqimmbe2tkdbc1gf1@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:14:14 +0000 (UTC), MS Poster
> wrote:
>
>>Hello:
>>
>>We are assessing using VMWare and an iSCSI array for our small Exchange
>>2007
>>deployment (around 150 users). We have a single new 64-bit server with 8GB
>>of RAM and small mirrored local disks for the new Exchange box. That
>>machine
>>attaches to an iSCSI array for additional drive space. In general, we like
>>virtualized machines for their flexibility.
>>
>>Questions:
>>- With such a small user base, would it be useful to run VMWare on the new
>>machine, emulate a few 64-bit servers, and run Ex2k7's various roles on
>>different
>>virtual machines?
>>- Or am I better off running Exchange on the native hardware and
>>consolidating
>>all the roles on that box (and omitting the Edge role)?
>>- Regarding drive layout for such a virtual configuration, I was planning
>>to create separate volumes on the iSCSI array and attach them as separate
>>LUNs to the host machine. One LUN for each virtual machine. Am I really
>>gaining
>>anything by doing this since the host is has only a single connection to
>>the array?
>>
>>Many thanks.
>>
> You'll be hard pushed to find anyone who will gladly concur to you
> putting the MB on VMware. Sure, the other roles (inc edge on a
> separate guest) would be great. The major problem you have is one of
> support. Go near VMware and MS will wash their hands of you. If you're
> not bothered about getting the run around from dodgy support in the
> former Empire then fine, it's a plan and a half. Go for it.
> If you do, separate the roles and prioritize the mailbox roles over
> the other ones (in VMware). If you're using ESX that's fine. Please
> say this is an ESX based question?!?
> The layouts are massively different based on what iSCSI SAN you've
> got. Nobody can give you a legitimate answer until the vendor, model
> and number/type/speed of disks are known. It's impossible.
date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:49:12 -0500
author: Dgoldman [MSFT]
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