subject: The Exchange Server [print this page] Businessmen have grounds to smile when software giants like Microsoft introduce newer softwares from time to time as per their requirements. Conducting business from one place by a click of the mouse and managing everything through the computer have become easy with the Microsoft Windows Exchange Server. Whether it is use of the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 or other series of Microsoft Windows Exchange Server, the businessmen stay at a competitive edge.
The oldest exchange server introduced in 1996 by Microsoft is the 4.0 series, followed by the Exchange Server 5.0, which came with the pioneering new exchange administrator console. This 5.0 series, for the first time, introduced integrated access to Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (Internet standard for email) based networks. Then came Exchange Server 5.5, Exchange Server 2000, and Exchange Server 2003 in 1997, 2000, and 2003 respectively. Each series of the Microsoft Windows Exchange Server were upgraded with newer features including calendar support, translating options, directories, filtering methods, database storage, recovery facility, etc.
Released in November 2006, the Exchange Server 2007 has found many takers, and the demand is still high. It includes a number of advanced features like clustering options, greater scalability with 64-bit support, voice mail integration, enhanced filtering options, and improved search and support for Internet web services. It also comes with a new Outlook Web Access interface. To install the Exchange Server 2007, your computer setup should be equipped with the 64-bit x86-64 versions of Windows Server. Business customers who are interested to test this version can do so; Microsoft offers a 32-bit trial version. If you are already running an exchange server on a 32-bit hardware, you can download it and test its operationability. But the hardware support is meant only for the purpose of testing. To run the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, you will have to migrate or upgrade to a new 2007 server. This is because the new version does not support the in-place upgrades.
Features of the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 can be summed up as:
Anti-spam, antivirus, and other protection
Enhanced web access, mobility, calendaring, and unified messaging
Simplified routing and role separation
Simplified GUI and 64-bit performance
375 unique commands to manage features through Exchange Management Shell
Manage and change complex tasks into scripts through the shell
Access emails from mobile phones or other wireless gadgets; receive voice mail, email, and faxes in mailboxes
Increased database size restricted to 16TB per database
Number of storage groups and mail databases per server are increased
Configuration of Outlook anywhere through the autodiscover service, facilitating external access; availability service and offline address book are new additions in this enhanced feature.
You can start using the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 speedily. If you are new to using an Exchange Server, you can follow step-by-step instructions and then proceed.
Even if you are migrating from earlier series, you can still manage recipients and administer storage by following the instructions.
