RFC: SBS 2008 Hardware Recommendations (Primary Server only - extended)

[Tobias Redelberger [MVP - SBS]]

So,

(starting another thread here, while
"microsoft.connect.windows.server.sbs08" stays pretty calm)

as many question out there circling around the topic: "Which hardware is
recommended for SBS 2008 in which scenario?" here's my request for comments:

A base starting point* for a well-balanced, productive SBS 2008 Primary
Server (AD, Exchange/Forefront, WSUS, File/Print, DNS/WINS/DHCP,
IIS/TS-Gateway, SBSMonitoring, Backup) with 5 CALs and a performance surplus
'til 10 CALs should be:

+ Dual-Core 2GHz 64-Bit (x64) CPU
+ 8GB RAM
+ 400 IOPS** Storage Subsystem (~ 4x10k RAID10)
+ 80GB for System Partition
+ Data Partition capacity depends on specific requirements
(Note: IOPS performance comes before capacity)
+ Single 1GBit/s Server NIC

Recommendation for more than 10 CALs:

+ One Core each 10 CALs
+ 1GB RAM each 10 CALs
+ 100 IOPS** each 10 CALs (~ 10k HDD)

As someone noted in "microsoft.connect.windows.server.sbs08" for 1..3 or
less than 5 CALs the following could be enough for the very lowend
user-scenario:

+ Dual-Core 2GHz 64-Bit (x64) CPU
+ 8GB RAM
+ 200 IOPS Storage Subsystem (~ 2x10k RAID1 or 3x7.2k RAID5)
+ 80GB for System Partition
+ Data Partition capacity depends on specific requirements
(Note: IOPS performance comes before capacity)
+ Single 1GBit/s Server NIC

What are your overall experience and personal recommendations?

* There is no commitment to accuracy but as a first advice.

** IOPS - Input-Output Operation per Seconds per Harddisk (conservative and
simplified)
SATA 7.2k ~ 70 IOPS
SAS 10k ~ 100 IOPS
SAS 15k ~ 150 IOPS

--
Tobias Redelberger
StarNET Services (HomeOffice)
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Tel: +49 (9722) 4835
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Email: T.Rede...@starnet-services.net
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