Using Jetstress to Test Disk Performance

Exchange 2003 is a disk-intensive application. To function properly, it requires a fast, reliable disk subsystem. Jetstress (Jetstress.exe) is an Exchange tool that allows administrators to test the performance and stability of the disk subsystem prior to introducing the server into a production environment.

Specifically, Jetstress tests disk performance by simulating the Exchange disk I/O load. To verify that your disk subsystem meets or exceeds your performance criteria, you can use System Monitor, Event Viewer, and Eseutil.exe in conjunction with Jetstress.

With Jetstress you can perform two types of tests: the Jetstress Disk Performance Test and the Jetstress Disk Subsystem Stress Test. The Jetstress Disk Performance Test runs for two hours and allows you to verify the performance and sizing of your storage solution. The Jetstress Disk Subsystem Stress Test runs for 24 hours and enables you to test the storage reliability over a significant amount of time. Running both tests is the best way to verify the integrity and performance of your disk subsystem.

After successfully completing the Jetstress Disk Performance Test and Jetstress Disk Subsystem Stress Test in a non-production environment, you can move to the next stage in your Exchange 2003 deployment process. By running Jetstress, you will have ensured that your Exchange 2003 disk subsystem is adequately sized (in terms of performance criteria you establish) for the user count and user profiles you established.

To download Jetstress and the accompanying documentation, see the Downloads for Exchange Server 2003 Web site.

For information about other tools you can use for Exchange capacity planning, see "Exchange Capacity Planning Tools" in System-Level Fault Tolerant Measures.