Easier to install BES on existing exchange server or seperate server?

[trd2turbo]

I am new to BES but not to blackberry. Have never installed or even messed with BES so this will be a figure out as I go. We are currently running SBS 2K3 with integrated exchange on the same server. We did a promotion and RIM gave us the BES 5.0 for exchange in turn.

My question is would I be installing BES on the current production server (we only have that and one NAS drive) or should I install it on a separate server. I have a spare dell sitting around running server 2000. Would I be better off just installing it on 2K3 just for being a (somewhat) newer OS and having Exchange already on it?

[GMCloud27]

My personal suggestion would be to definitely keep it on a separate server if possible. RIM has always recommended against using the same server for BES as your Exchange and also PDC. You CAN however, run it all on the same box but from a business perspective, i wouldn't want all my eggs in one basket.

Hope this helps
-Garrett

[GlenB]

As GMCloud states - RIM do not recommend running BES on the same server unless it is BPS - so definitely go for a different server. BES 5 is also much more demanding in terms of CPU and memory than BES 4.1 so that would be a good second reason to go for a seperate server.

[trd2turbo]

BES 5 can be installed on Server 2000 right? I was looking over the documentation and was getting confused. We are running Exchange 2003 but the actual server that I will install BES on is 2000.

[GMCloud27]

Unfortunately you'll need to upgrade to 2003 SP1 for BES 5 at a minimum, System requirements: BlackBerry Enterprise Server

Also keep in mind as GlenB mentioned, if the machine is running 2000, most likely it was spec'd for 2000 and the hardware requirements are a little steep (compared to 4.1 and below).

Hope this helps, -Garrett

[trd2turbo]

Thats not what I was getting from their step by step....


Minimum Requirements


Before getting started, it’s important to confirm you have the minimum hardware and configuration requirements for installing BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for Microsoft® Exchange.

Confirm you have the minimum hardware and configuration requirements:


Minimum requirements for up to 500 users: Intel® Pentium® IV processor (2GHz or greater), 1.5 GB RAM, MSDE 2000 or higher, 20 GB disk space in addition to Windows® requirements

NOTE: Due to limitations of MSDE, it is recommended that SQL Server™ be used if there are multiple Exchange servers in the environment and/or an increasing or higher number of BlackBerry® users. For more information, please see the “BlackBerry Enterprise Server implementation considerations” section within the BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Microsoft Exchange Performance Benchmarking (PDF)

Windows 2000 Server (Server or Advanced Server Editions) with Service Pack 4 or Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1


Integrates with Microsoft® Exchange 5.5 (Service Pack 4 or later), Microsoft Exchange 2000 (Service Pack 2 or later) or Microsoft Exchange 2003 mail server environments (mixed mode or native installation). NOTE: Learn more about BlackBerry Enterprise Server support for Microsoft Exchange Sever 2007
Microsoft Exchange 5.5 Administrator, Microsoft Exchange 2000 System Manager or Microsoft Exchange 2003 System Manager, Microsoft Exchange 2007 MAPI Client
Microsoft Internet Explorer® version 6.0 or later

[trd2turbo]

btw...I was able to get this installed and running. BES 5 on server 2000. Having a send as issue right now but other than that the account synced right up.

[GMCloud27]

That's excellent. Good to know it's supported and a little odd about the conflicting docs posted out there. Thanks for the fyi