Hi.

Been lurking on here as a guest for a while and recently signed up. Seems a great site. I'd appreciate it if you could help with some of my queries.

Scenario:

Currently running BES 4.0.7 with MSDE 2000 on ageing hardware and need to improve performance. We have 250 BB users across 5 Exchange 2003 mailbox servers. Main problem is limitations of MSDE, i.e. 2 messaging agents and 8 concurrent queries.

Plan:

1) Install JDBC for SQL on BES and move MSDE DB to an external SQL (2005) server, using documented procedure on blackberry.com. Increase messaging agents to 5 in registry on BES.

2) When happy that step 1 works and is performant, install BES 4.0.7 on new hardware and perform knife edge cutover.

3) At a later date - upgrade to BES 4.1.

Questions:

Where are the CALs stored? Are they in the SQL DB, or will I need to re-enter them all in the 'new' BES.

Same question for policy - is this in the DB?

Should I put the attachment service on a different server too?

Will BES take advantage of more than 1 CPU?

I'm sure I had another question, but can't think what it was now!!

Thanks in advance,

Chris.

You don't need to install JDBC to move the DB.

Here is RIM's KB on moving from MSDE to SQL:

BlackBerry Search Results

The CAL's and policies are in the DB and you do not need to move the attachment service to another machine. The BES should not need to use more than 1 CPU anyways. It's not designed as a resource hog

Welcome to BBF by the way

Thanks for the reply and the welcome!

The reason I mentioned the JDBC because it's listed as a pre-requisite for a new installation if you're using an external DB. If I'm understanding you correctly, then presumably due to the fact that MSDE is installed locally, the appropriate components already exist on the system to connect to a remote DB?

Thanks,

Chris.

Pretty much, I have not had to install JDBC in quite some time and I have not heard of anyone doing that as well. You could install JBDC if you want, it's up to you and it won't cause any issues with the DB.

Great! Thanks.

MSDE to SQL 2005 move went great. Came straight back up, no probs!

I increased messaging agents to 5 and performance is way better with far shorter last contact times to devices now.

I'm going to do the knife edge cutover tomorrow.

Here's my plan...

* Build new server.
* Install BES 4.0.7 with same BlackBerry Server name.
* Stop and disable BES services on old BES.
* Amend IP reservation so new BES takes IP of old BES (this makes life much simpler in my environment - for MDS and SRP routing out to Internet).
* Start BES services on new BES

Couple of questions...

Does it matter what IP address the server has when I actually install BES? I.e. should I change the IP reservation before I install it.

Do I need the JDBC for SQL on this installation because it's a new install?

On the blackberry.com knife edge cutover documentation, it mentions the MDS...

What does this mean? And how do I create the new DB?

Thanks in advance and thanks for all advice so far.

Chris.

The MDS Services is only in version 4.1 and up. Seeing as you will be installing 4.0 you don't need to worry about it. Also, the BES is not concerned with IP or machinename, just the logical BES name in the manager.

MDS Services is basically a web server that you post your own custom made apps to for BB and your users can install the MDS software on their BB to browse and install any of the apps you post. Most places that install MDS Services do not use and probably never will. I wouldn't worry about it.

You can install JDBC if you want but it shouldn't be necessary.

You're plan is fine, keep on course and ask any questions if you're unsure about something.