Exchange dedicated servers are basically servers which enables send and receive of emails. It basically enables sharing of emails without connecting online. It can be send from one server to another without being connected online. It integrated with Microsoft outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express and email applications that are used for business on a dedicated server. It provides to confidential information, improving efficiency and simplifies communication of large organizations.
This also enhances security and reduces the risk factor and can be configured on mobile devices. Exchange Server can store emails on a dedicated server which is not the case with POP3 setup. Employees of organizations may send private information through this applications.
With exchange dedicated server Hosting configuration, emails and information can be stored on servers which can only be accessed through client devices. Exchange dedicated servers run on MS windows servers and operating system. Microsoft Outlook Web access also provides browser access systems. It supports devices such as blackberry, Treo, Motorola, QPocket and oher smartphones.
Exchange Servers started in 1993 and outgrown since then. It was built in XENIX which is a version of Linux Operating System licensed by Microsoft from AT&T in the 70’s. to exchange server in April 1993.
The users were around 500 in Exchange server in Jan 1995 which then increased to 32000 in 1996. It was then migrated to beta version and the next version was brought in the market.
The Exchange Server 4.0 was released in 1996 and officially sold to public and was to upgrae Microsoft Mail 3.5. It was utilized by 400 client server mails with one database and 500 directories. Following release version was 5.0 which was released in 1997 introduces Administrator console integrated to SMTP-based networks. It also had an add-on feature known as Intenet Mail connecter which could directly communicate with server.
Exchange Server 5.5 was then released in 1997 which came in two versions, Standard and Enterprise. There were many differences in storage limit, mail transport connectors and had the ability of cluster servers.
Exchange Server 2000 edition was released in 2000 which many improvements and it’s limitations were reduced compared to Exchange Server 5.5. It supported more than one cluster and increased it’s supported database. Instant messaging support was also includes and the version includes Microsoft Acive directory which was unavailable in the previous version. The era was then supported by Exchange Server 2007 which was released in 2003. It was supported on Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. This allowed easy upgration from one operating sytem to another. This was mainly used by major organizations which could not afford downtime caused due to dedicated server migrations.
It main feature includes disaster recovery which allowed administrators to bring servers online faster by sending / receiving emails and recovering them from backups. It also provided anti-virus and anti-spam.
This was introduced in two versions such as standard and enterprise. The standard version allowed 75GB of database storage whereas Enterprise edition allowed 16TB and 4 storage group with 5 databases per group. However, it was only compatible with 32 bit version and not install on 64-bit windows server 2003.
The lastest version is Exchange Server 2007 which was in the beta version in 2006. It can run on 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows Dedicated Servers. The performance has been improved with this version when compared to Exchange Server 2003.
Exchange server 2007 also introduces features such as voice-mail, filter options, web service support, Outlook Web Access new interface.
BODHost.com supports Exchange Dedicated Server Setup
Microsoft Windows Exchange Server 2007 has many key features which are improvise from Exchange Server 2003. First one is server roles which reduces the time for installations and configurations that wer done manual by windows server administrator. It is provided by Analyzer which not only analysis the problem but also assists with the solutions. Windows Exchange server 2007 can easily connect to outlook express 2007 with auto-configurations. Exchange Management Console / Exchange Management Shell easily manage with Server roles and rules. Migration tools performs to reduce the complication with multiple mailboxes migration.
It has also been introduced with command-line interface which can be checked by administrators. Pre-defined permissions can be assigned easily with Exchange Server 2007. With 64-bit architecture, memory usage is increased. Routing through Active Directory are not required in Exchange Server 2007. Troubleshooting tools solve issues easily and updates at regular intervals. Web services API update information on mailboxes or calendars and can also integrate with Outlook Web access. One of the exchange server setup is as follows :
Anti-spam filtering is set at network settings. It also blocks various viruses, malware etc. It also comes with Microsoft Forefant security for anti-spam / viruses and be customized. Exchange Server also continuously replicates which is essential for cluster servers. In this case, manual migrations of mailboxes is not required. Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption are encrypted o Exchange Server Server 2007.
Transport rules of Exchange server also has transport rules to allow organizations to manage records with folders. One of the feature is Flexible Journaling which help admin to journal e-mail per database and through Multi-mailbox search it is very easy to search for mails.
Scheduling Assistant assists with schedules of meetings, this is mainly for corporate organizations. With Calendar Attendant, it simplifies and maintains calendars and reduces the load of notifications. Resource Booking Attendant are marked in Address Book and be customized. It has much enhanced Outlook Web access which is provides better functionality than the version that was released earlier. LinkAccess receives link on Microsoft Office Sharepoint to to display document. In this, VPN or tunneling is not required. Authhentication and security is improved. Exchange Server also has a voice mail system which can record message in the absence of the administrator. Exchange Server has ActiveSync which maintains secure connections with a server and a Mobile device.
Windows Exchange Dedicated Server are normally setup on Cluster Servers.
Migration from Exchange Server 2003 to Exchange Server 2007 is an important process. Following are two types of Migration Process and important points :
- It is not possible to more Exchange Server on Windows 2003, to move up to Windows Server 2008
- Due to Failover Cluster Setup, clustered mailboxes are not possible to move.
- You cannot upgrade Stand-alone Server to Windows 2008 Server without upgrading Exchange Server.
- Recovery features cannot be used while upgration.
- Exchange Server can be moved from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 by pre-installing server and migrating data on to it.
- Process also includes replication of mailboxes, folders, data.
- If we migrate on pre-installed server, we will not have to manually modify the files.
- It also reduces downtime.
- In terms with cluster servers, it is important we keep the existinf data and remove any third-party applications, Exchange and then upgrading the Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008. All pre-requisites should be fulfilled while migrating from one operating system to another.
- In order to maintain the data, it depends on the number of servers in cluster.
- In case of multiple mailboxes, move all mailboxes to another server and then uninstall Exchange.
- It is important to uninstall Exchange and Windows Powershell from passive node in cluster
- We need to check all tasks for each server role
- Server role recognition is important
- Windows Server 2008 with Exchange Server 2007 should be planned
- EdgeSync process should run same version of Exchange Server 2007.
- Edge Transport Servers subscribed to Active directory.
- Exchange Server 2007 does not have cross-operating system
Windows Exchange Dedicated Servers are normally setup on Cluster Servers.