Thanks for the size answer.
To clarify the EV and SQL question, I mean what are their roles in the EV archiving system? I assume the SQL stores all the data and the EV server processes the extraction of messages from exchange and is responsible for handling searches?
I guess I am just not understanding the architecture well, even after reading a few of the posts here and the documentation I've found. Other products I've looked at have just used the Journalling feature in exchange combined with mailbox management/retension policies whereas EV leaves a link to the archived item in the folder the message existed in, which is what I am looking for.
Perhaps you can direct me to some info specifically about how EV performs this Exchange email archving?
Thanks!