I'm a bit confused and looking for some help. We are looking to do multiple LoadGentests with different numbers of users, different number of servers and different mailbox distributions. Due to the lengthy initialization period to simulate, say, 2 Exchange servers with 1000 users each, I'm looking for shortcuts. I've seen reference to backup/restoring the database to avoid re-initialization however it seems that re-use is limited to the same Exchange server with the same number of users. Is that correct? Here's a scenario I'd like to test: Simulate 2 Exchange servers with 1000 users each, Heavy Load, Outlook 2007 Online profile 1. Drop the number of users to 500 each. 2. Increase the number of users to 1500 each. 3. Increase/decrease the number of servers. 4. Change the simulated load to Light. 5. Re-run one of these scenarios at a later date. I see on Technet that you need to delete the database and AD objects before running the test with a different number of users, does that only apply to increasing the number or also to reducing the number? Given the scenarios above is there any way, or benefit, to using backup/restored Exchange databases? Thanks!

Please clarify the sentence: backup/restoring the database to avoid re-initialization however it seems that re-use is limited to the same Exchange server with the same number of users You mean after initialization at the first time, you backup the DB, then you wants to use this backup to give another exchange server the same environment with less cost of time? Please identify more detail need to delete the database and AD objects before running the test with a different number of users, Yes, I tested in a local VM, LoadGen will add or delete the number of users which you set in GUI automatically before initialization. Also, please give some unmentioned info: Version: window server, exchange

Thanks, James. Windows 2003 R2 Datacenter x64 Edition with SP2, andExchange 2007. Sorry, I didn't think those would have a bearing on using a copied LoadGen database as long as Exchange was the same version on origin and end machines. You're correct that I would like to use the same DB on another Exchange server to save time. I'm looking to simulate a number of virtual servers compared to physical servers with 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 users, so the ability to copy a 2000 user LoadGen created database from one server to multiple servers would substantially reduce the setup time. I read that LoadGen requires you to delete the database and AD objects before modifying the test parameters, I've since found that LoadGen will add or remove the number of users necessary for a new configuration. I haven't tried changing the test profile (Heavy Online to Low Offline, for example) to see if it can handle that.