Microsoft Exchange server is an upgrade to the Microsoft Servers and is deployed by enterprises primarily for hosting web-based electronic mail, and for ordering calendar events in the form of memos. Exchange servers are mainly set up in offices where one server machine is assigned for maintaining an active directory.
It is one separate computer tasked with sharing its features with the terminals remotely attached to it via a local network.
The 4 crucial things t remember during a Microsoft Exchange Server Setup are as follows:
- Exchange is an application upgrade, so it entails the server edition of windows pre-installed, on the computer. Often the latest version of the server edition is chosen for better compatibility; or for migration purposes. For instance, Exchange 2010 can just be installed on Windows Server 2003 and 2008. Plus, the recent Exchange releases are 64-bit, hence the machine along with the operating system is required to be 64-bit compliant. For optimal results, a fresh installation of the server is often done to circumvent any complexities.
- In order for a server to work in a local area network, it requires to have adequate network settings. By default, Exchange configures IP addressing to be DHCP enabled. As it has to be a subnet controller, the IP must be set to static. Hence, it must mention the exact address that will be used. This IP has to be included in the DNS list also and then the gateway for the network has to be specified, to be able to connect to the net.
- For any exchange server set up to work, it must have one computer to work as the active directory. Prior to installing Exchange, the active directory must be installed and properly configured. Active directory is pertinent for working as the domain supervisor, and the Exchange Server is normally kept as the first domain controller. Choosing a domain name is vital since it will be related to all the mail addresses if they are hosted in the server itself; moreover, it is not easy to change.
- The IPv6 settings are especially important. It might be left in its default settings, with automatic DHCP. However, it has to be kept turned on for setting up Exchange; since a few of its services will not start if IPv6 is not enabled. The active directory installation will keep going on the condition that the IPv4 is made static, notwithstanding the state of IPv6 subject to it being enabled.
The Nutshell
In a nutshell, one has to keep these important things in mind while setting up Microsoft Exchange Server. So, make sure all the parameters are covered in order to achieve a successful setup of your Microsoft Exchange Server.
