[Benjiee]

All,
I was wondering what you opinions would be on the best way to proceed with the following.
Currently we have 1 BES server running 4.0.5.5 with about 325 users using a MSDE Database. We need to upgrade to 4.1.4 or 4.1.5 to benenfit from the additional features it offers like delegating security permissions. At the same time the business wants to introduce a new server acting in a DR capacity in our backup datacenter. We would also like to add a bit more processing and DR capability by moving the database onto one of our shared SQL clusters.
The plan we have is to have both BES servers using same SRP pointing at the shared SQL Database, although one server would have its services disabled and would only be enabled if the live server failed.
Another option we had was to use two live servers with different SRP's although I heard moving large amounts of users from server to server is an issue? ALso Im guessing another server SRP costs extra money?
I would be really interested to hear your opinions on how you think we should proceed to carry out the software upgrade, migration to SQL and introduce another server for DR capabilities?
Many thanks in advance.

Ben

[gibson_hg]

The plan we have is to have both BES servers using same SRP pointing at the shared SQL Database, although one server would have its services disabled and would only be enabled if the live server failed.

This is the correct DR scenario to have in place

Another option we had was to use two live servers with different SRP's although I heard moving large amounts of users from server to server is an issue? ALso Im guessing another server SRP costs extra money?

2 live BES will cost you the price of another BES. For 325 users one BES is plenty.

I would be really interested to hear your opinions on how you think we should proceed to carry out the software upgrade, migration to SQL and introduce another server for DR capabilities?

Step 1 should be to move the DB fro MSDE to the SQL Server. Use this article:

BlackBerry Search Results

Once the 4.0 BES is working with the DB on the SQL Server upgrade to 4.1. The install the DR BES and make sure that both BES names are the same. The phyical machine name doesn't matter but the name in the BlackBerry Manager must be the same on both BES.

The keep the services stopped and set to manual until you need to use them.

[DarthBBerry]

• Upgrade OldBES first to 4.1.4.
• Knife-edge cutover to NewBES
• Move database to SQL Server
• Introduce DRBES with same SRP but services stop pointing to SQL DB

Just my opinion.

[Benjiee]

Excellent. thanks for you help guys, gives me a bit of confidence now!