Exchange BC alternatives

[spoons]

It's worth getting the server hardware right (correct disk partitions etc..).

This is especially true with 2003 clustering, as this only provides resiliance for the hosts. They both still use the same copy of the databases. Meaning that if there is corruption it does not matter which node you are using.

As previosuly mentioned reduce the users rights and ensure that backups are running properly, otherwise the transaction logs will not get flushed.

[Bill]

Thanks for all the help guys.
To reply to some of your suggestions/questions. they are AD/2003 excange using a 2 node cluster off a SAN.They use Veritas(i think) to back up, but don;t do brick level, just the whole info store. They are also using cached mode.
I am also trying to implement double take which they purchased, used for a bit and then stopped when they hit issues.
When double take is up, it shouldn't be much of a problem as replication is offsite in a dc.

As for 2007, I don't think they will want to splash the cash, and as they already use exchange they'll want to stick with it.

As for their users issues, this was the first thing I spotted and pointed out. After the fiasco last week, I think they took note and are thinking of setting mailbox limits(they had none). I think I might just see how double take goes, let them sit on it and then see if they still want to spend more money

[JoJoGabor]

If you run Exchange 2007 there are some very cool inbuilt cluster functions. You can run a cluster across 2 hosts without shared storage using the new Witness fileshare cluster available in Windows 2003 SP2 or Windows 2008. You can also run a time-delayed cluster. I forget the exact cluter terms, but lookup Exchange 2007 SCR, CCR clustering.

Or, look into virtualising the Exchange server. If running on VMware you can use a 3rd party product, vReplicator from vizioncore which will replicate the virtual machine to a DR virtual infrastructure every 1 - 2 hours to replicate your entire server.

PM me if you need more details or help with this

[uky kozak]

As this is my first post let me say Hi to everyone.

I am assuming this is a AD Domain and Exchange 2003

IMHO before you can look at an alternative its worth highlighting issues that I can see that needs to be addressed first. 1

users are allowed pretty much free role

hence why they are in this mess today. If this is not addressed then no matter what system you have in place it will eventually end up the same. Rule of thumb is if a user see's a button they will "click" to see what it does. 2

Long story short, lost 2 disks on an excahnge store

Where is the backup/recovery process and what exchange backup S/W do they use for backing up? if non existent then this needs to be addressed ASAP as this is vital...Once you have addressed all these issues first, so as not to be in the same situ a year from now then you can address the question of which mail system to use which has questions attached to ie do they need third party connectors to mobile mail, do they wish to receive external mail from the internet etc... You will probably find that exchange will surfice to their needs and they have already payed for the licences. During the interim configure the mail clients to cached exchange mode so they have a copy of their mail locally (if backups are dodgy)

[Netraider]

Email Systems (Linky) have a fairly good system. Cleans mail before it arrives at your exchange box. They also provide an outlook plugin that allows users to send/receive mail if the exchange falls over.

[pmeswani]

It's not a bolt on from what I have read. The Enterprise version even allows you to migrate your exchange mailboxes across by IMAP.

I should have also mentioned Squirrelmail, but couldn't remember the name at the time of my original posting. I'm planning on testing it in my home environment so that I can get rid of my existing provider and look to using my own email server for sending and receiving emails.

[bobspud]

For 20 users I would use an IMAP protocol linux server The debian cook book gives a detailed guide for a mega secure service. I built one a few years back using a 40 meg Debian iso. It ran untouched for over 3 years. Backups are simple as its all flat file based and you can get clever with multi a multi site service if you need to expand

If the company uses Blackberrys they can get email pushed to them as well.

[jmo21]

come one, be modern.....corporate Gmail!

[super]

are there any excahnge gurus out there that can help me.

Current gig I am working on was to PM a BC project. Came in, did some assesment and trying to complete a data replication project that needed some direction.
However their users are allowed pretty much free role and exchange is in a right mess.
Long story short, lost 2 disks on an excahnge store and they have been trying to restore.

It director asked me for any alternatives for around 10-20 staff.
They currently have 1 clustered exchange box running, with replication that will eventually be off site. This would suffice but looking at alternatives.
Can exchange replicate mailboxes to another mailserver and not conflict???
Is there any other alternatives???

Look at a product called DoubleTake. I ran a project to deploy it in a finance house last year.

[pmeswani]

at first glance it just looks like a bolt on. I don't think it would be of any benefit if you loose exchange.
Thanks though, and I will have a better look at it.

It's not a bolt on from what I have read. The Enterprise version even allows you to migrate your exchange mailboxes across by IMAP.

[Bill]

at first glance it just looks like a bolt on. I don't think it would be of any benefit if you loose exchange.
Thanks though, and I will have a better look at it.

[pmeswani]

are there any excahnge gurus out there that can help me.

Current gig I am working on was to PM a BC project. Came in, did some assesment and trying to complete a data replication project that needed some direction.
However their users are allowed pretty much free role and exchange is in a right mess.
Long story short, lost 2 disks on an excahnge store and they have been trying to restore.

It director asked me for any alternatives for around 10-20 staff.
They currently have 1 clustered exchange box running, with replication that will eventually be off site. This would suffice but looking at alternatives.
Can exchange replicate mailboxes to another mailserver and not conflict???
Is there any other alternatives???

Don't know if this helps.

http://www.axigen.com/mail-server/enterprise/

[Bill]

are there any excahnge gurus out there that can help me.

Current gig I am working on was to PM a BC project. Came in, did some assesment and trying to complete a data replication project that needed some direction.
However their users are allowed pretty much free role and exchange is in a right mess.
Long story short, lost 2 disks on an excahnge store and they have been trying to restore.

It director asked me for any alternatives for around 10-20 staff.
They currently have 1 clustered exchange box running, with replication that will eventually be off site. This would suffice but looking at alternatives.
Can exchange replicate mailboxes to another mailserver and not conflict???
Is there any other alternatives???