Introduction to Exchange 2003 - User Property Tabs
One of the clearest signs that Exchange 2003 server relies on Active Directory is the user's property tabs.
These 4 tabs are only created when you install Exchange 2003 server or run /forestprep. This page will give you examples and background information about these Exchange specific properties.
In passing, you can see the name of the Mailbox store. The first word in the Mailbox name refers to the server where the mailbox is held. You know the precise name and format of the
Mailbox store, if you create new accounts from scripts.
By default, the mailbox Alias is the same as the Account Logon name. If you consult with ADSI Edit, then this field is called mailNickName.
Delivery Restrictions are rarely set. The idea is that you can prevent this account from being bombarded with email. In my opinion, over-eager use of Delivery Restrictions would cause more problems than it would solve - one
setting to
avoid.
Delivery Options are useful if the user is on holiday and you wish to designate another account to receive their email during their absence.
Storage Limits are normally set on the server, however you may need to over-ride that limit for some accounts, for example your own!
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The
options controlled by the Exchange Features tab are similar to those obtained by right-clicking the User object and then selecting Exchange Tasks.
The most significant features are those controlling OMA (Outlook Mobile Access). For example, would you wish to Enable User Initiated Synchronization?
Naturally, to make Mobile access active you need to contact your phone service provider. In addition you must configure the Mobile settings on your Exchange 2003 server. Even without taking those steps
on the server, you can practice by typing http:/servername/oma
in your internet explorer.
If you are troubleshooting POP3 or IMAP, then this is the tab to check that these protocols are enabled.
In Windows 2003, you can now select multiple
users with the control key. The benefit is that when you right-click you can now change the same property on all the
selected users.
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Simple
display name is only used for backwards compatibility, for example, if you have NT 4.0, or systems that restrict the number of letters in the Alias.
from Exchange Address Lists hasa variety of uses, for example, accounts that are really rooms, users who do
not want to be in the address book, special Distribution Lists.
Hiding the object does not stop those who know, or can guess the email address, from posting messages to this user.
Mailbox Rights Here is where you can adjusted permissions for one user to 'Send On Behalf' of another user, for example, Boss / Secretary relationships.
Remember to display the Advanced Features by clicking on the View menu in Active Directory Users and
Computers.
This is the tab to create or adjust secondary email addresses, for example, a user is transferred from a subsidiary company and wants to receive email from their old account as well as their new
account.
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Import users from a spreadsheet, complete with their mailbox. Just provide a list of the
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provide the name of the OU where the new mailboxes will be born.
There are also two bonus tools in the free download, and all 3 have been approved by Microsoft:
Bulk-import new users and mailboxes into Active Directory.
Here is a
free tool to monitor your Exchange Server.
Download the utility, then inspect your mail queues, monitor Exchange server's
memory, confirm there is enough disk space and check the CPU utilization.
In Windows 2003, you can now select multiple
users with the control key. The benefit is that when you right-click you can now change the same property on all the
selected users.
Remember to display the Advanced Features by clicking on the View menu in Active Directory Users and
Computers.
