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date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:21:01 +0000 (UTC),
group: microsoft.public.exchange.design
back
Re: VMWare and iSCSI for Exchange 2007
Thanks for the feedback from both of you.
This was a GSX (or whatever they currently call it) question. Waiting for
Longhorn is not an option; this needs to be done in the next 30 days. I assume
Longhorn supports 64-bit virtualization? (I am certainly not a Microsoft-basher,
but this 64-bit issue is extremely frustrating and is 100% Microsoft's fault.)
So, just to be clear: you would recommned running it on native hardware (i.e.,
no virtualization) and omitting the Edge role? Again, I really only have
one box to throw at this. Your concerns with virtualization are: lack of
MS support and resource demands by the MB role, correct?
The iSCSI array is an Equallogic PS300e with 14 x 500GB 7200rpm SATA drives
and 3Gb connectivitiy to the iSCSI switch.
Many thanks.
Hello Dgoldman [MSFT],
> Your best bet would be to not put it on there or wait for longhorn
> server.
>
> Dgoldman
> http://blogs.msdn.com/dgoldman
> Download OABInteg
> (http://gotdotnet.com/Community/UserSamples/Download.aspx?SampleGuid=A
> 2338E73-F521-4071-9B1D-AAF49C346ACD)
> "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 20:21:01 +0000 (UTC)
author: MS Poster
Re: VMWare and iSCSI for Exchange 2007
I dont want to point the finger anywhere and 64 bit is the wave of the
future :) I would recommend running it on native hardware because if you
have a problem support will not really be a great option. If it turns out
that you are having a driver issue that is related to the virtualization
software, you are going to be asked to remove exchange from vmware and test
it on regular hardware.
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Dgoldman
http://blogs.msdn.com/dgoldman
Download OABInteg
(http://gotdotnet.com/Community/UserSamples/Download.aspx?SampleGuid=A2338E73-F521-4071-9B1D-AAF49C346ACD)
"MS Poster" wrote in message
news:b3173d71ab4a8ca258839afc8dc@msnews.microsoft.com...
> Thanks for the feedback from both of you.
> This was a GSX (or whatever they currently call it) question. Waiting for
> Longhorn is not an option; this needs to be done in the next 30 days. I
> assume Longhorn supports 64-bit virtualization? (I am certainly not a
> Microsoft-basher, but this 64-bit issue is extremely frustrating and is
> 100% Microsoft's fault.)
>
> So, just to be clear: you would recommned running it on native hardware
> (i.e., no virtualization) and omitting the Edge role? Again, I really only
> have one box to throw at this. Your concerns with virtualization are: lack
> of MS support and resource demands by the MB role, correct?
>
> The iSCSI array is an Equallogic PS300e with 14 x 500GB 7200rpm SATA
> drives and 3Gb connectivitiy to the iSCSI switch.
>
> Many thanks.
>
> Hello Dgoldman [MSFT],
>
>> Your best bet would be to not put it on there or wait for longhorn
>> server.
>>
>> Dgoldman
>> http://blogs.msdn.com/dgoldman
>> Download OABInteg
>> (http://gotdotnet.com/Community/UserSamples/Download.aspx?SampleGuid=A
>> 2338E73-F521-4071-9B1D-AAF49C346ACD)
>> "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 21:58:20 -0500
author: Dgoldman [MSFT]
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