IT Pro Tips : Exchange Server 2007

New Administrative Features in Exchange Server 2007 SP1

itprotipsadmin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:01:00 GMT

By Orin Thomas

In the Technet Virtual Lab, New Administrative Features in Exchange Server 2007 SP1, you will work on a virtualized Exchange Server 2007 computer and learn about the new administrative features available with the release of service pack 1. The first area of functionality that you learn about is how to configure Exchange ActiveSync policies, as shown below. Exchange ActiveSync policies determine how mobile devices interact with Exchange.

In the next part of the Virtual Lab you will learn how to configure the POP3 and IMAP4 server settings. The exhibit shows how you can modify the standard and SSL ports of the Exchange Server 2007 SP1 IMAP4 server.

The Virtual Lab moves on to performing Public Folder management. Although public folders are not included in the default Exchange Server 2007 console, a new MMC snap-in, shown in the exhibit, was added to allow for their management with service pack 1.

The lab then moves on to the new Outlook Web Access features that are available in Exchange Server 2007, including how server side mailbox rules can be created, the retrieval of deleted messages, and how to use Outlook Web Access to perform a remote wipe on a compatible Windows Mobile device.

To complete this excellent TechNet Virtual Lab yourself and learn more about the new administrative features in Exchange Server 2007 SP1, navigate to the following site: New Administrative Features in Exchange Server 2007 SP1

Disaster Recovery in Exchange Server 2007

itprotipsadmin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:01:00 GMT

By David Chernicoff

With the TechNet Webcast: Disaster Recovery in Exchange Server 2007 new Administrators of Exchange 2007 deployments, or those considering deploying Exchange 2007, get a good overview and demonstration of the product features that can be used to provide data protection and improved availability of their mail servers.

The webcast takes a really practical approach; it focuses on the various roles in which Exchange Server can be deployed and uses the role requirements as the basis for explaining the details of how to protect the data for that role. Don’t have a server in the role being discussed? Skip forward to the appropriate role coverage.

TIP: I suggest you go through the topology introduction that is provided to get the most from the webcast.

Local Continuous Replication and Continuous Cluster Replication are two of the more interesting and compelling features of Exchange Server 2007. Getting a good, clear description of the two technologies is worth the price of admission.

There is a tendency when doing a presentation like this to focus only on the software side of the issue. I was happy to see that the presenter took a much broader view of the topic and touched on other issues that the Exchange Administrator should be aware of.

After such a detailed, text-based presentation, the webcast wraps it all together with the presenter doing a demo of replication configuration, making it clear that it’s not as complex as it sounds to get working correctly.

For Exchange Administrators that haven’t made the move to Exchange 2007, the webcast gives them an excellent explanation and demonstration of a few reasons why they should consider the migration. The presenter also makes himself available for direct questions and answers via his blog here.

TechNet Webcast: Disaster Recovery in Exchange Server 2007

Introduction to Exchange Server 2007

itprotipsadmin — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:44:00 GMT

By Orin Thomas

If you are considering a move to Exchange Server 2007 in your environment, or just curious about the product itself, you should take a look at the free Introduction to Exchange Server 2007 TechNet Virtual Lab. The purpose of this lab is to familiarize you with the sort of tasks that you would perform on a daily basis should your organization implement Exchange Server 2007.

The lab starts with an introduction to the Exchange Management Console, the one-stop-shop for the Exchange Server 2007 administrator.

The lab then instructs you how to use the Exchange Management Console to configure the features of Outlook Web Access. You’ll learn how customize the OWA experience to best meet the needs of your organization.

From there the lab takes you through an examination of a mailbox database’s properties, including where a mailbox database’s maintenance schedule can be configured.

The lab provides an introduction to the Toolbox, which contains important Exchange Server 2007 tools including the Best Practices Analyzer, Database Troubleshooter and the Queue Viewer

One of the most common tasks an Exchange Administrator will perform will be creating mailboxes for new users. The virtual lab provides step by step detail of the process, allowing you to see exactly how it is done.

The final part of the lab takes you through creating a Managed Folder Mailbox Policy and the steps you need to take to apply it to a user’s Exchange mailbox. You will also learn how to use Exchange Management Shell to create a Messaging Records Management Schedule

Taking this lab will give you a solid introduction to how to perform common tasks on Exchange Server 2007.