Exchange 2000 with SAN for mailboxes, okay to do?

I need to upgrade my Exchange 2000 server storage. I've got a Compaq DL380
with the data (Mailboxes) drive a RAID 5 array for 4 mailbox stores.

To add space, I can (overly simplified):
- Backup data
- Swap in larger drives
- Restore data

We are looking to install a SAN (EMC Clariion Cx3) for 2008 which will
provide storage for a few servers running mostly single purpose
applications.

My questions are?
- Can I use the SAN to store mailbox stores?
- If so, can I migrate slowly, 1 at a time over time? I'm thinking this
would minimize downtime to just the "down" mailbox store during the
migration. This would also pull storage pressure off the current Exchange
server and I wouldn't have to upgrade the hard drives.

Forgive my igrnorance on this. I haven't upgraded Exchange after it's
install several years ago. Add in the SAN options and it's a bit
complicated.

Thanks - Dale

(Please reply to the group or edit my email address
dalejavaREMOVE@xxxxxxxxx)


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: IOPS and megacycles calculations
    ... I also want to finish off the approach in "Optimizing Storage for Microsoft ... Use the server with the ... IOPS and suggest you base it on recommended value!! ... The SMTP locations are on the same drive as the Transaction log drives. ...
    (microsoft.public.exchange.design)
  • Re: suggestions on network storage
    ... If you use RAID on your 3 drives you just lost the benefit of having 3 drives. ... I'd be putting my money into preventative replacement now and relegating the old server as a secondary or standby. ... a backup server/network attached storage server is something i ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: Ideas for upgrade
    ... To upgarde the Database drive G: ... Add a new mailbox server to the organization and move the mailboxes and PF ... Install a new server and restore the storage groups and databases on the new ... our server with bigger hard disk drives and i need a plan as to how to do ...
    (microsoft.public.exchange.admin)
  • Re: Buy 2nd server? Advice needed
    ... If you are looking to provide more reliable storage, ... Raid 1 would give you a "mirror" image of the main drive. ... Data spread over a minimum of 3 drives. ... > Dell server with a scsi controller and 2 scsi drives for about $300 more. ...
    (microsoft.public.backoffice.smallbiz2000)
  • Re: Network Storage Help
    ... Why use SAN if you have no cluster-capable server software? ... drives inside the usual server and install the usual OS there. ... Storage consolidation is generally a good idea. ...
    (comp.arch.storage)
Loading