Tips for Configuring Exchange Server 2003

Tips for Configuring Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

If you follow these Exchange tips, then your email will flow more smoothly. As a bonus, by checking these settings, so you will become expert at finding objects in the Exchange System Manager.

Ideas for getting the most out of Microsoft Exchange 2003

Install Exchange 2003 server on a test machine. Then you can practice changing settings without fear of upsetting your users.
Start by editing the registry and adding ShowSecurityPage which displays the Security tab in Exchange System Manager.
Plan your GAL display names. Before you create any users decide on the display format, surname firstname, or firstname surname.
Take the time to configure Status and Notifications in the Tools folder.
Check out the GLOBAL SETTINGS near the top of Exchange System Manager.
In Exchange System Manager, experiment with Add or Remove Columns. For example, Mailstore, Mailboxes, Limits.
When you create a mailbox, make sure its on a server which is nearest to the users work place.
Practice the Move Mailbox feature. (Exchange Tasks on Users Property).
Create stores for different types of users. The benefits of smaller stores are faster restores and less disruptive.
Create multiple Storage groups on separate disks for better performance.

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Here is a free tool to monitor your Exchange Server. Download and install the utility, then inspect your mail queues, monitor the Exchange server's memory, confirm there is enough disk space and check the CPU utilization.

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Fill up the first Storage group with 5 stores before creating a second.
Indexing the Store database will enable faster searching in Outlook.
Set Mailbox Limits. Preferably with System Policies.
Stagger the maintenance schedules for different mailbox stores.
Instead of rebooting the server, stop then start the service. Even better, instead of stopping the Store service, dismount then mount just one store.
Check out Exchange 2003's Junk Mail filter.
If you have more than 1GB of physical RAM modify Boot.ini with /3GB switch.
Are you going to archive (Journal) all email to one very secure Active Directory account?
Run Performance Monitor to create a baseline before the users start logging on.
Never miss a chance to learn LDAP attributes, for example when filtering recipient address or creating Query-based distribution groups.
Explore Exchange properties with ADSI Edit (Windows Server 2003 Support folder).
If you have UNIX or Mozilla clients configure OWA for Basic access.
Replace VPN with RPC over HTTP. (Outlook 2003 clients)
Disable unnecessary services on Front-End servers.
Review your physical server security. Are you insured? If not check out this link.

Guy Recommends: SolarWinds' Free Bulk Mailbox Import Tool

Import users from a spreadsheet, complete with their mailbox. Just provide a list of the users with the fields in the top row, and save as .csv file. Then launch this FREE utility, match your Exchange fields with AD's attributes, click and import the users. Optionally, you can 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.
Seek and zap unwanted user accounts.
Find inactive computers.

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Summary of Exchange Tips for Exchange System Manager

Spend time with Exchange System Manager. Keep a list of handy Exchange tips. If you have a time-saving tip, then I would love to add it to my list.

SolarWinds Exchange Monitor

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.