Semi Large Rollout recommendations needed

[Zych]

Hello All,

I am going to be rolling out an Exchange system in a single domain layout. The HQ will have about 85 users. Then I will have another site with about 65 users. More sites will be added with each site having about 10-50 people. There is a possibility of over 200 sites. What is the recommended way of handling this?

One Exchange server maybe in a cluster? Multiple servers spread throughout the domain?

All email needs to be under the same domain i.e. user@domain.com no matter where they are located.

Thanks,

Zych

 

[markdmac]

And what kind of connectivity between locations? How many DCs? What OS are the DCs? Are you rolling out E2k3 on Win2k3? Does each site have a server? How many local servers are DCs?

Your question is too broad and insufficient information is provided to give any kind of meaningful response.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[skialta]

Mark is right..there are tons of questions that need to be answered before an intelligent design can be achieved mostly having to do with the network topography and placement of your DC/GCs. To put a simple answer out there, 1 properly sized Exchange 2003 server can support 1000's of users so....

 

[Zych]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry it has taken me awhile to get back. Been very busy.

1) Each site will have a T1 (some small places may have DSL)

2) Each site will have at least one server (2003 standard) which will act as the DC, larger shops (50+) will have two DC's

3) Connectivity will be acheived with a Branch to Branch VPN via a SonicWall Firewall.

4) All systems will be 2003 since this is a new rollout.

Hope this defines the system a little better.

Thanks again for the replies.

- Zych

 

[58sniper]

Two DCs for offices with more than 50 people? Sounds like overkill.

Make them all 2003 R2. The ADFS in R2 is very nice. Make each DC a GC. But there is no way in heck I'd have ~200 DCs. The replication traffic would kill you.

Use Outlook in cached mode. One Exchange 2003 Enterprise server, properly equiped, won't have a problem with that many users.

Personally, I wouldn't cluster.

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

 

[Zelandakh]

I agree 100% with Pat. 200DCs is just plain daft though I know of a well known org with over 800 DCs and only 2,000 users Boy I wish I was doing PM for that.