Lesson 1: Microsoft Exchange 2010, Start from here

Lesson 1: Microsoft Exchange 2010, Start from here

As we promise you; this is the first lesson of Exchange 2010 learning series. We will post a new lesson every week. In this lesson, we will talk briefly about Exchange 2010 Overview, History, Licenses and Editions. It’s important to know that information before you start implementing Microsoft Exchange 2010 in your network.

Overview

Microsoft Exchange Server is a messaging and collaborative software product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is widely used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure solutions. Exchange's major features consist of electronic mail, calendaring, contacts and tasks; support for mobile and web-based access to information; and support for data storage.

History

The history of Microsoft Exchange is quite interesting and began in 1993 when the XENIX mail system was changed to the Exchange Server. In January 1995; around 500 users were migrated and start using the Exchange Server Beta 1. By April 1996; 32,000 users were migrated to the environment

In the following a list of all Exchange history versions:
· Exchange Server 4.0 released on June 1996, it's the original version of Exchange Server sold to the public.

· Exchange Server 5.0 released On May 1997, it's introduced the new Exchange Administrator console, as well as opening up integrated access to SMTP-based networks for the first time.

· Exchange Server 5.5 released On November 1997, it sold in two editions, Standard and Enterprise. They differ in database store size, mail transport connectors and clustering capabilities.

· Exchange Server 2000 (v6.0) released on November 2000, unlike Exchange Server 5.5, Exchange Server 2000 had no inbuilt Directory Service, and had a dependency upon Active Directory.

· Exchange Server 2003 (v6.5) released on September 2003, this version has enhanced disaster recovery, Outlook Mobile Access and server-side ActiveSync functionalities added, Better anti-virus and anti-spam protection have also been added, improved message and mailbox management tools.

· Exchange Server 2007 (v8 or with SP1 v8.1) released on November 2006 to business customers as part of Microsoft's roll-out wave of new products. It includes new clustering options, 64-bit support for greater scalability, voice mail integration, better search and support for Web services, better filtering options, and a new Outlook Web Access interface.

· Exchange Server 2010 version will be available from the second half of 2009. A 360 day beta is now downloadable from TechNet.

Licenses

Exchange Server requires Client Access Licenses (CAL), which are different from Windows CALs. Corporate license agreements, such as the Enterprise Agreement (EA), include Exchange Server CALs. It also comes as part of the Core CAL.

Just like Windows Server and other server products from Microsoft, you can choose to use User or Device CALs. Device CALs are assigned to a device (workstation, laptop or PDA). User CALs are assigned to a user or employee (not a mailbox).

User CALs allow a user to access Exchange e-mail from any device. User and Device CALs are the same price, however cannot be used interchangeably.

Two types of Exchange CAL are available: Exchange CAL Standard and Exchange CAL Enterprise. The Enterprise CAL is an add-on license to the Standard CAL.

Editions

Exchange 2010 comes in two editions (Standard & Enterprise); these are licensing editions that are defined by a product key. When you enter a valid license product key, the supported edition for the server is established.

Product keys can be used for the same edition key swaps and upgrades only, and they cannot be used for downgrades. You can use a valid product key to go from the evaluation version (Trial Edition) to either Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition. You can also use a valid product key to go from Standard Edition to Enterprise Edition.

The next lesson will cover Exchange 2010 Roles and System requirements to implement the product. We will not keep you waiting for a week for this lesson; we will post it at next Monday. We will do that because; next week we will start implementing Exchange 2010.

Regards,
AYUB KHAN