We have used Netapps NAS product for about 1.5 years now with very few problems. We have a Netapp F740 with a 45 gig datastore in San Mateo that takes only 1.5 hours to backup and about 2 to restore. Try that with a tape solution. We can also add disks on the fly and dynamically expand the volume that Exchange sits on. Performance is robust. Our two other filers (another 740 and a 720) also host exchange databases that are smaller (20 gig and 13 gig) without any difficulties.
I have read many articles and posts over the last year on the topic of Exchange and NAS. Most seem to come from a position of "I heard that..." and "MS says...". Don't believe the hype. Do your own testing, do your own evaluations. NAS is used so infrequently (relatively speaking) with Exchange that there are scant articles available that honestly evaluate the solution. Now that I've told you about the good, here comes the bad. The software and license fees (yearly) for Netapp's solution for Exchange are extraordinary. It sucks to pay $5,000 a year per filer for their software. The price-per-meg is also ridiculous for netapp drives compared to market. You need some fairly high level people (both Exchange and Windows) to understand and implement the NAS solution from Netapp. Once you are on the platform, it's difficult to move off of it (many good things about it that I would not want to lose). Many HA solutions will not work with the Netapp since it uses it's own "special sauce" OS. Also, Netapp's Exchange solution is not always well supported; their support is flaky depending on who you get on the phone (some techs are excellent, some can't speak English). my two cents. -----Original Message----- From: Milton R Dogg [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 11:09 AM To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: RE: More NAS Information The fact that this is now supported does not mean that it should be looked at in any other light now. Milton R Dogg Of The Dogg Foundation.. -----Original Message----- From: Brian Bauer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 11:06 AM To: MS-Exchange Admin Issues Subject: More NAS Information The Exchange Group at Microsoft has changed and clarified their support position for Exchange 2000 and Exchange 5.5 with respect to interoperability and support of Exchange when used in conjunction with different storage solutions. New Knowledge Base articles were posted today stating that Microsoft will provide full support for their Exchange Server on storage solutions that meet the requirements published in the articles. Links to Q Articles: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q317173 http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q317172 A summary of the Knowledge Base articles: Q317173 states Microsoft will provide full support for customer Exchange 2000 implementations when used with storage solutions that meet the requirements outlined in the article. SnapManager for Microsoft Exchange 2000 and filers meet these requirements. Q317173 puts NetApp on par with vendors providing direct attached storage solutions for Exchange 2000. This is made possible because our SnapManager for Microsoft Exchange 2000 is a block storage solution and maps identically to the storage architecture required by Exchange 2000. Q317173 states that Microsoft will provide full support for non-WHQL (HCL) certified storage devices. Q317172 states Microsoft will provide full support for customer Exchange 5.5 implementations when used with storage solutions that meet the requirements outlined in the article. SnapManager for Microsoft Exchange 5.5 and filers meet these requirements. Q317172 states that Microsoft will provide full support for non-WHQL (HCL) certified storage devices. The Exchange Group is sending an internal communications to their field messaging specialist, Microsoft Consulting Services, and the Exchange PSS group to provide clarity that Exchange is supported software by Microsoft when combined with the NetApp Exchange storage solution. > Brian Bauer > Network Administrator > (215)826-8929 - Voice > (267)716-1912 - Cellular > List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm List Charter and FAQ at: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/exchange_list_charter.htm
