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mustekkznFlag for South Africa

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Different Server Specifications

Hi

I just want to ask a broad, general question to allow for a better understanding of different server specifications.
Basically I would like to know of how many users could access a server based on all the different Intel server processors types (coupled with a supported server motherboard)

I understand that different servers have different roles and thus have different hardware capabilities such as RAID, types of Hard Drive be it SCSI, SATA etc, motherboard technologies etc. so for the purpose of this questions lets assume that each server is going to be a 2003 Microsoft Exchange Server, running 4 SATA drives in RAID 5 and each with 2GB registered RAM.

As a rule of thumb how many users could be supported with

Single Core HT Pentium 4 Processor setup -
Dual Core Pentium 4 Processor setup -
Single Xeon Processor setup -
Dual Xeon Processor setup –


Thanks
Mustek
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jhance

There is no strict relationship between server specs and number of users.  In fact, there is not even a rule-of-thumb.  It depends almost entirely on WHAT users are doing on the server.  For that you need to carefully analyze the workload and determine what factors are going to be important for your application(s).
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ASKER

well lets just say that in this case that the users will sending, receiving and accessing there mailboxes.
So you're talking a MS Exchange Server installation here?  Some other email server?  What kind of email volumes are you expecting?  How many users on the system simultaneously? Average message size?  File attachments?
I think you still seem to be looking for a quick and easy answer to a problem that takes research and solid decision making based on real data.  If you're not equipped or experienced in this type of work, get help.  Nobody here is able to take what little information you have provided and give you anything but a WAG.

I'm assuming that this is for a business purpose and you're the recommender.  If you choose poorly and the system doesn't meet the needs, who's going to get the blame?  Experts-Exchange?  I doubt it!  It's going to be your fault.
jhance - Are you kidding me! It was a broad and general question; one that I was hoping would lead to a discussion whereby ideas would be bounced around between experts that would invariably lead to a clearer understanding. ie: 'I’ve had this type of setup (provide example) but found this and that, so take into consideration.........'

If you are not a willing participant in this discussion then by all means don’t respond; however If you do intent to partake then comments such as 'who's going to get the blame?  Experts-Exchange?  I doubt it!  It's going to be your fault', I feel, carry absolutely no weight or relevance to the question, and at the end of the day it is My Question. I also read them with a very arrogant undertone, perhaps unjustly so. Could you answer who you think I intended to blame at Experts-Exchange? How would I get hold of them? Who are they? Which country are they from? These are questions that cannot be answered; did you think I didn’t understand this concept?

Thank you however for your comment that you found the question provides far too little information to allow you to commit to a single answer as there are just too many variables. Many experts might very well feel the same way but I will be leaving the question open as perhaps my intended purpose (whereby experts could discuss certain setups), I am hoping, might still take place.

Mustek
No, I'm not kidding and I really don't think I can be of any further assistance here.  Good luck.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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computerfixins

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I had stopped posting here originally because of a siimlar commet by jhance.  

Comments like
"I'm assuming that this is for a business purpose and you're the recommender.  If you choose poorly and the system doesn't meet the needs, who's going to get the blame?  Experts-Exchange?  I doubt it!  It's going to be your fault."

do nothing but make people move to another message forum.

After coming back after a 6 month leave, I see that nothing has changed...

The author of the orignal question seems to think otherwise.

The attiude reminds me of a famous quote...

"if you do not know the answer to the question; then don't ask."
SOLUTION
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Gary Case
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I was trying to deaden the blow that jhance had meant by his commets...

With such obvious displays of nepotism, who would want to post in CS and have the admins publicly berate them... (just look at above posts)



Hi Experts

Well, it looks like a lot has gone at this post over the last 2 days. Sorry I have not replied sooner but I have been out of the office for the last day or 2.

Many thanks to both experts, computerfixins and garycase, for your input. I will definitely be making use of the development tools and utilities both of you mentioned, as well as taking heed of the certain factors and variables I must take into consideration before committing on the hardware specification. As such I feel it appropriate to split the points evenly.

Many Thanks again experts
Mustekkzn
Hi Experts

Well, it looks like a lot has gone at this post over the last 2 days. Sorry I have not replied sooner but I have been out of the office for the last day or 2.

Many thanks to both experts, computerfixins and garycase, for your input. I will definitely be making use of the development tools and utilities both of you mentioned, as well as taking heed of the certain factors and variables I must take into consideration before committing on the hardware specification. As such I feel it appropriate to split the points evenly.

Many Thanks again experts
Mustekkzn