Exchange 2007 SP1 stroage design
- Hi We are in the process of deploying Exchange 2007 CCR mialbox cluster. While designing the storage I have the following clarification.
1. In CCR Can we put multiple storage groups in same LUN Like,
LUN1 with SG1 DB,SG2 DB, SG3 DB
LUN2 with SG1 Log, SG2 Log, SG3 Log
2. Which of the following is a better practise for CCR?
a. Putting single Database (SG)with 1050 users in the single LUN with bigger database up to 200 GB
OR
b. Divide these users by creating 3 smaller databases ( SG) with 350 user each on the same LUN.
Note - We have a limitation of maximum storage . We cannot afford lot of LUNS with lots of free space on each . We need to utilize the sapce effectively to provide maiximum mailbox size for user with the give storage.
Expecting the valuable feedbacks. thanks
regards,
Arif
Answers
- No, it is not always recommnded to keep each storage group in 2 luns. Read here:
Although there are many ways to design LUNs in Exchange 2007, we recommend the following two designs to limit complexity:
* Two LUNs per storage group
* Two LUNs per backup set (this would be your design)
Mailbox Server Storage Design
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb738147.aspx
Jon-Alfred Smith MCTS: Messaging | MCSE: S+M- Marked As Answer byElvis Wei -MSFTMSFT, ModeratorFriday, October 23, 2009 9:12 AM
All Replies
- You should use the Exchange 2007 Mailbox Server Role Storage Requirements Calculator
http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2007/01/15/432207.aspx
A quick and dirty: 1050 users with User mailbox size limit of 150 MB results in two databases on one LUN and log files on a second (of course). Do allow for a Recovery Storage Group.
Three smaller databases are preferable: for restore, and at one point you might end up with eseutil ...
Jon-Alfred Smith MCTS: Messaging | MCSE: S+M My question is diffrent I think. Iam aware that database size is depends on the SLA. But I need to utlize my storage effectively without creating unnecessary luns. IOPs and SLA part already considered.
In CCR Can I put multiple storage groups in same LUN Like,
LUN1 with SG1 DB,SG2 DB, SG3 DB
LUN2 with SG1 Log, SG2 Log, SG3 Log??
Or it is always recommnded to keep each storage group in 2 luns ( 1 dedicated LUN for DB 1 dedicated LUN for Log). But in this design I am losing lot of space in each LUN.- No, it is not always recommnded to keep each storage group in 2 luns. Read here:
Although there are many ways to design LUNs in Exchange 2007, we recommend the following two designs to limit complexity:
* Two LUNs per storage group
* Two LUNs per backup set (this would be your design)
Mailbox Server Storage Design
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb738147.aspx
Jon-Alfred Smith MCTS: Messaging | MCSE: S+M- Marked As Answer byElvis Wei -MSFTMSFT, ModeratorFriday, October 23, 2009 9:12 AM
- Thanks Jon
Hi
Still have some queries on this .Unfortunately I am not able to find good documentation to find the diffrence between two designs
* Two LUNs per storage group
* Two LUNs per backup set
I understand that "Two LUNs per backup set" = "Two Luns with mutliple storage groups but it should be backed up together". correct me if I am wrong)
I prefer to use second design "two Luns per backup set".But why we need to backup/restore all stroage groups together in this case eventhogh we have seperate logs for each storage group?
Can't we take backup/restore of single storage group in this desgn?
Incase RSG or one database is corrupted then we need to restore all other storage groups in the LUN to recover signle stroage group.Is it true?
Other than backup is there any other differences we need consider if we go for the "Two LUNs per backup set" design ?
Thanks
ArifVSS-based backup applications take snapshots of whole LUNs. So if you place seven databases in one LUN and seven transaction log files in the second LUN, these two LUNs will be backed up as part of this backup set.
How these applications handle the restore, might differ.
* Performing a restore with the new Exchange 2007 SP2 Volume Snapshot (VSS) Plug-in, you must restore all SGs and DBs located on the same LUN together. If you have multiple SGs or DBs on a given LUN, it is all or nothing. And there is no direct support for an RSG, but you can make it work.
* Performing a restore with Symantec / Veritas NetBackup 6.5.4, you only need to restore one database, and right to an RSG.
* Performing a restore with Symantec Backup Exec 12.5 allows for recovering single databases, but takes Exchange recovery a step further with its Granular Recovery Technology (GRT): recovery of individual messages, folders and mailboxes.
Some links (NetBackup is omitted. If you use it -- we do -- you have all documentation)
Uncovering the new Exchange 2007 SP2 Volume Snapshot (VSS) Plug-in (Part 1)
http://www.msexchange.org/articles_tutorials/exchange-server-2007/high-availability-recovery/uncovering-new-exchange-2007-sp2-volume-snapshot-vss-plug-in-part1.htmlUncovering the new Exchange 2007 SP2 Volume Snapshot (VSS) Plug-in (Part 2)
http://www.msexchange.org/articles_tutorials/exchange-server-2007/high-availability-recovery/uncovering-new-exchange-2007-sp2-volume-snapshot-vss-plug-in-part2.html
Backup Exec 12.5 for Windows Servers
Agent for Microsoft Exchange
http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/other_resources/b-solution_brief-bews12.5_agent_exchange_09-2008.en-us.pdfSymantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers - Voted MSExchange.org Readers’ Choice Award Winner - Exchange Backup & Recovery
http://www.msexchange.org/news/general/MSExchange-Readers-Choice-Award-Exchange-Backup-Recovery-Symantec-Backup-Exec-Windows-Servers-Apr09.html
MCTS: Messaging | MCSE: S+M | Small Business Specialist- Hi
So using any streaming backup whether I will be able to backup/restore a single storage group(database) in this design where I have multiple databases & logs in 2 luns from the active copy of the database?
We use Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) 5.5. Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager product documentaion says as follows.
"Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager supports clustered application environments (MSCS or VCS on Windows® and HACMP™ on AIX®) as well as Microsoft Exchange 2007 continuous replication configurations (LCR, CCR and SCR)."
Based on this information I hope TSM 5.5 supports CCR passive copy VSS backups., Single stroage group & RSG restores.
Also how the backup software identifies the passive copy database while backing up since server can failover at any point of time?
Thanks,
Aboo Arif - Hi AbooArif,
I have been testing IBM Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager since it was in the beta stages. The product is awesome, & the restore granularity for MS Exchange is a single message not even a full database. Its an amazing product & work quite fast specially if integrated with IBM DS FlashCopy Functionality. I have tested it with IBM DS8000 & I was thrilled. I have to still test it on DS4000 & DS5000 in the upcoming few months. I have written a full tutorial about IBM Tivoli FlashCopy Manager for SQL about a week back which you can find at:
IBM Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager Tutorial
Although this tutorial is focused on SQL, most of the concepts & the way the installation is done still the same. Though the granuilarity for the restore in Exchange is a lot better than SQL. As I mentioned earlier you can restore up to a single message instead of a full datastore or storage group. I am hoping to post a tutorial about how IBM Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager work for Exchange soon, so keep tuned.
I hope this help,
Erick
VMguru007- Proposed As Answer byvmguru007 Saturday, November 28, 2009 3:50 PM
