How to Setup Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server - Domain Controller and Active Directory
Oct 30, 2009
As most IT professionals are aware, Microsoft Exchange Server offers its users a messaging system which is really reliable and has built-in securities against viruses and other malicious threats. All Microsoft Exchange server users within an organization can reap the benefit of accessibility of mailing features like voice mails and emails with enhanced security. It also provides better calendar and contact management applications which could be accessed on any device from anywhere.
For purposes of this article, it may be assumed that the user is interested in setting up Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. For convenience, let it be further assumed that the Server is being set up for use by a small office where a single machine will suffice for both Active Directory and the Exchange Server and there is no need to separate the two.
Start up
May not be known to many, Exchange 2007 is a user-friendly 64 bit system and thus it is compatible with 64 bit versions of Windows Server 2003/2008. Therefore, the intending user must ensure they have a computer which is capable of processing the given version of Server03/08.
For this purpose, it is best to start with installation of Windows Server 2008 - 64 bit version and understand it better. And thereafter, make the time adjustments by setting the clock and give any name to the server to be installed. In number of cases, this server is configured with default settings and the configurations are done in such a way that it serves as a stand-alone computer.
Installation Process
Installation of Microsoft Exchange Server requires three basic steps – planning setup, domain preparation and launching the server after installation. But before getting acquainted with these two steps, one needs to be familiar with Editions of Microsoft Exchange server. For example server 2003 is available in two editions – standard and enterprise. If the user has limited mail usage then standard edition is good otherwise they can opt for enterprise edition.
Again coming to basic installation procedure, it is important to know that setting up exchange server is not easy, especially if one is new to this field. Also, Microsoft exchange server works with various components like SMTP, MNTP, Internet information system, ASP and .NET. Therefore, it becomes critically essential to know each and every component in detail.
Before beginning the actual installation procedure, let’s get acquainted with the Server Manager Screen. This is the place from where one will execute all the operations.
Static IP Address
As this computer will be configured to serve as a domain controller there is a need to change the IP address of the computer. Make sure it is a static IP address obtained by following the instructions after clicking on "View Network Connections" in the Server Manager screen.
One just needs to follow the basic internet protocols incorporated therein and depending on one’s requirement and firewall set-up, one can simply go ahead with the procedure of setting static IP address. Get this computer listed in a DNS listing.
Making the Server/Computer Domain Controller
To facilitate this server becoming a domain controller, activate the auto update. This will install Active Directory and for the activation of auto updates one needs to look for "Configure Updates" and then click on it. Then select the desired option which makes the Windows automatically install the updates without much hassle. But it may require rebooting one’s system and restart it with proper application of the updates.
It may be known that installing Active Directory involves two steps:
- Install Active Directory
- Configure Active Directory
As soon as this process is completed, the Windows Server will become a domain controller.
Active Directory Installation Procedure:
To install Active Directory:
- Press the "Add Roles" link on the Server Management Screen.
- Select the server role as "Active Directory Domain Services"
- Click on ‘Next’. Then follow the instruction to complete the process.
Note: One may get their Active Directory installed but again, it may show errors which signifies that one need to configure their Active Directory.
To further configure Active Directory, press "Active Directory Domain Services". And closely follow the instructions.
After the successful completion of the whole process, the user will get to know about the Active Directory Version which will be displayed on the installation wizard. Since this is the first domain controller the user has configured out of their exchange server, they must choose a new forest to create a new domain. The domain name one enters here is the domain name that Exchange will recognize for all emails.One needs to run a DNS server locally for the domain controller so obtained.
Microsoft Exchange Server Setup - Things to Consider
In a nutshell, to setup a Microsoft Exchange Server, the first task one needs to do is identify a 64-bit system and configure it to make it a stand alone system. After the system is identified and configured, one needs to know that the overall installation process starts in three main steps - Setup Plan, Domain Preparation and Server Launch. There is a Server Manager screen where a user executes all the operation required for installing the server.
The process starts with setting a static IP address, making the server as domain controller by installing and configuring an active directory and running a DNS server locally. The process does not stop here. There is a lot more to it. Exchange Server is an extensive application and one must be aware how complicated is it.
Also Read Microsoft Exchange Server Setup Guide and Installation Process
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