Exchange 2003 Standard or Exchange 2003 Enterprise?

[tuliphead]

In a front-end & back-end server solution, where you have two back-end servers in a microsoft cluster, and a front-end server in the DMZ ... what should I buy?

I already concluded that the supported max size/amount of maildatabases in the standard edition is not enough to support my users. So for the back-end servers I will absolutely buy the enterprise version.

But what is the correct licensing?
In a active-passive cluster, do I need two enterprise licenses? Do I need to pay for the node that just are configured as a standby machine? And the front-end server could be just a standard edition, right? or am I totally wrong?

 

[58sniper]

I'm not much of a fan of clustering, since it's not cost effective. But if you're buying Exchange CALs, they are typically per user. So you buy one for each mailbox enabled user.

The front-end server can be standard.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[tuliphead]

Well, If you have an active-passive cluster with two nodes ... do I need two enterprise licenses ... one for each node ... or just one for the active node?

 

[58sniper]

My understanding is one for each.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[tuliphead]

That is my fear as well ... ok, at least it is not me that pays for it.

 

[nickpark]

don't forget that SP2 brings the max size of 2003 standard to 70gb.

 

[58sniper]

75GB, and that's after you make a regedit.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[tuliphead]

Well, with 1000 users, 70 GB is still to low. And what about the clustering part? That will anyhow demand the enterprise edition?

 

[Zelandakh]

For 1,000 users at 1GB average mailbox you need 1TB. That's beyond the scope of Standard so you definitely need Enterprise.

You'll need to set up departmental or other logical dividers to separate staff into storage groups. These should be ball park 50GB each depending on architecture.

For 1,000 users you only need 1 server and I'd do an active/passive cluster of 2003 on 2003 with a SAN on a Brocade or similar. You aren't going to see much change out of $200k to do it properly! Definitely get a hardware vendor in to discuss your options.