I am getting ready to deploy exchange 2007 for the first time. This is my topology: exchange1 has an iSCSI connection to remote storage (which I plan to store users mailboxes), exchange1 will host the Mailbox role, and the Hub transport role. exchange2 will host Unified messaging, and Client Access Roles. My questions: 1. On exchange2 will I be able to forward external SMTP requests to a Unix server, is SMTP "allowed" to run on this box? I wasn't sure if it was installed with exchange, or the ability to forward external requests to a non-windows server. 2. Which server should be installed first? Exchange1 or Exchange2, does the roles need to be introduced to the environment in a particular order? Would any particular order be considered a best practice? 3. I assume I can specify the location of the users mailboxes during installation? If not when and how is this configured? I'm hoping that this takes place after the readiness check during the installation (non clustered, custom installation) Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, James