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 DBLUN2 with SG1 Log, SG2 Log, SG3 Log2. 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 GBORb. 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. thanksregards,Arif

You should use the Exchange 2007 Mailbox Server Role Storage Requirements Calculator http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2007/01/15/432207.aspxA 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 DBLUN2 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 Designhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb738147.aspx Jon-Alfred Smith MCTS: Messaging | MCSE: S+M

Thanks Jon

Hi Still have some queries on this .Unfortunately I am not able to find good documentationto find the diffrence between two designs* Two LUNs per storage group* Two LUNs per backup setI understand that "Two LUNs per backup set"= "Two Lunswith 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 groupstogether inthis caseeventhogh we have seperate logs for each storage group?Can't we take backup/restore of single storage group in this desgn? Incase RSG orone 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 otherdifferences we need consider if we go for the"Two LUNs per backup set" design ?ThanksArif

VSS-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.html Uncovering 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.htmlBackup Exec 12.5 for Windows ServersAgent for Microsoft Exchangehttp://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/other_resources/b-solution_brief-bews12.5_agent_exchange_09-2008.en-us.pdf Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers - Voted MSExchange.org Readers Choice Award Winner - Exchange Backup & Recoveryhttp://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

HiSousing any streaming backup whether I will be able tobackup/restorea single storage group(database) in this design whereI 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 Managerproduct 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 hopeTSM 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 upsince 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, ErickVMguru007