Question : Am I required to have an Edge Transport Server in my Exchange 2010 environment?

Currently have an Exchange 2003 server, with 500 mailboxes all on one server.  We're upgrading to Exchange 2010 (new server hardware)  Reading through some books, say that the Edge Transport server role can't be mixed with any of the other roles.  Confused, does that mean I need a second server? Do I even require an Edge Transport Server? If I do require one, what are the recommended specs? We cant budget another server, but could add to our VMware environment....


(I know it's recommended and takes a load off mail going directly to the hub transport) I wouldn't say our e-mail is very "busy" maybe 150 mailboxes in use daily, with about 30 mailboxes sending/receiving 50-75 messages a day, but these are all mostly internal and with non attachemnts.

Answer : Am I required to have an Edge Transport Server in my Exchange 2010 environment?

no, you are not required to have an edge transport server
the edge server provides an extra layer of security because it is not a member of your domain and it stops messages before reaching your exchange org