I'm trying to install BES 4.0 for Exchange on a Windows Server 2003 box and had a question that maybe some of you could help me out with. Can the Exchange 2003 messaging server be installed on the same box as the BES?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

it can be, but its not a RIM-supported configuration (i.e. - you cannot call in for support in the event something goes wrong). its not recommended, whatsoever. i'd only say that you could do this with either one hell of a server or with a very small userbase.

Thanks Jibi. The userbase will ultimately be anywhere from 6 to 8 users so it is small. What configuration would be the best? I'd really like to get this up and running soon. Thanks again.

i'd personally just get an extra server and put BES 4.0.3 and MSDE 2000 on it. if you have Exchange 2003 already running, check and see how much memory resources and processor resources its taking up. if you feel that you can spare an extra ~2GB of memory for the BES and MSDE, then go for it.

...but to make life easier in support land, a separate server would be advised.

have people managed to get this to work in the past? I thought it would just not work full stop doesn't BES 4 have a sulk when you try to map to the exchange on the same machine? and what about CDO access? both the BES and exchange need access to the CDO file if there is only one server that's only one CDO file between the 2 servers?