Question : Exchange 2003 NLB/FE and BE server

I have a question about the Exchange design that I'm proposing, the details are listed below. Should I use Front End, Bridge Head and NLB services on the same server? Note: all MX records for email point to Mail Gateway Appliance

Current Design
Mail Gateway Appliance for inbound and outbound emails
Mail Gateway Appliance forwards inbound email to Exchange BE servers in acctive/avitive/active/passive cluster.
Two FE servers with NLB for OWA, POP3 and IMAP

Proposed Solution
Mail Gateway for inbound and outbound emails
Two FE/BH servers with NLB for OWA, POP3, IMAP
Mail Gateway Appliance forwards inbound email FE/BH servers
(Outbound Emails) Exchange connectors to Mail Gateway Appliance
 Exchange BE servers in acctive/passvise active/passive cluster (Total 4 Exchange Servers).

Answer : Exchange 2003 NLB/FE and BE server

choice.....

If you have the $$ more is always more fun :)

in 2003 we use to split it our into 2 nlb owa
2 BH with same weight MX-- dont nlb the BH with WLBS it does not spread the load well use same weight mx
3 node cluster BE

depending on your traffic etc..... its best to break the roles out so that performance is not impacted....

Have you dont any perfs to see if performance is acceptable now?


our 07 setup is similar