Microsoft Exchange Server Setup Guide

Global Catalog Server and Installation of Microsoft Exchange Server

Oct 30, 2009

Microsoft Exchange servers can be installed without much external technical support if the user understands the online tutorials. Let's know more about it.

'How to Set up Microsoft Exchange Server' - is too vague and far-reaching. Microsoft has been launching a series of Exchange servers – 4, 5, 5.5, 2000, 2003, 2007 and is now preparing to introduce to 2010 and installation procedures vary and do not have much in common. Installation of Microsoft Exchnage Server is not easy and calls for expertise and high level of committment. One needs to go through manuals and guides effectively. For the purpose of this article, let us assume the server to be 2007 and understand the catalog server requirements and installation procedures.

Domain Controller as Global Catalog Server

One needs to run a DNS server locally for the domain controller so obtained. Here, the installation wizard will help one in installing DNS server which is needed. The whole set up of the installation wizard will acquaint the user with necessary configuration procedures and keep the user updated during and after the process. This is a part of installation process which is applied after setting up the domain controller and installing the Active Directory Control.

When the installation (of Active Directory) is complete, one may press the button Finish and then restart the computer. In this whole process the domain controller becomes a Global Catalog Server. The basic functionality of a global catalog is similar to that of domain controller but it is applied in wider aspect. It takes control of several domains in an existing forest.

The basic principle of replication is applied in setting up a global catalog server and the system which is used here is the Active Directory Replication System. The main purpose of global catalog server is to optimize search results and thus make the Active Directory Search easy, with making the users wander from servers to servers.

Installation of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 – Basic Approach

Before one installs Exchange Server, one needs to know the system requirements well. Also, one must know what kind of installation would be good for their organization because there are different types of installation procedures like typical installation, custom installation or installation in various modes. Also, the user should not forget to do a readiness check by scanning the server with exchange analyzer tool of Microsoft. The latest version is 2.7. One also needs to get acquainted with the network and directory servers in order to install the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.

The installation process starts with running the exchange server set up and pressing the link “Install Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP 1” (for Exchange Server 2007). View information about the task the Exchange Server 2007 setup wizard will perform. Click on ‘Next’. The user will be directed to ‘Accept the License Agreement’ window. Click ‘Next’ to accept it.

Select Exchange Server for installation. Enter the name of the corporation/services/organization (corresponding to the domain name), and then press ‘Next’. Exchange system will verify whether all prerequisites have been fulfilled. If everything seems to be in place, then press Install to begin the installation.

During this process, one will get each and every component of exchange installed within the exchange server. After completion of the installation wizard, the user will get all the components listed with some specific mark. One can even customize this installation based on their requirements

It is worthwhile to know that during the installation of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Setup runs a set of tasks that install new services. Services are executable files that are designed to operate independently and can run using either a graphical user interface mode or a console mode. Although Setup will install all services whether they are immediately needed or not, some services will only become active when specific features are used.

One thing which is important to know here is that Microsoft Exchange Server is an impressive application and one cannot detail setup procedure for each and every functionality in theoretical aspect. The procedure has to be borne in mind with a pragmatic approach and the user must understand the whole system of setup of Microsoft exchange server in accurate terms. For simplictiy, one can go ahead with installation procedure with following defined labels (Steps for Setting Exchange Server).

Exchange Server is a great application to learn and apply but it's not easy. However, Microsoft produces many tutorials and troubleshooting guides as well as KB articles on this where one can go and find all the relevant information needed.

The copyright of the article Microsoft Exchange Server Setup Guide in Computer Programming is owned by Preetam Kaushik. Permission to republish Microsoft Exchange Server Setup Guide in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.