Course 2400: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Course Specifications

Course Length: 5 days 

Location: Entre Technology Services, LLC  1501 N. 14th St. West, Suite 1511

Registration: Call your Account Manager at 406.256.5700 or use our Registration Forms

Introduction

This outline is a pre-release version and may change without notice.  This five-day, instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills that are needed to update and support a reliable, secure messaging infrastructure. This infrastructure is used for creating, storing, and sharing information by using Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 in a medium-sized to large-sized (250 to 5,000 seats) messaging environment. This course offers a significant amount of hands-on practices, discussions, and assessments that assist students in becoming proficient in the skills that are needed to update and support Exchange Server 2003.

Audience

This course is intended for messaging support professionals who work in medium-to-large environments (250 to 5,000 seats) with multiple physical locations, mixed-client connection protocols, and wireless and Internet messaging connectivity.

At Course Completion

After completing this course, students will be able to:

Perform a clean installation of Exchange Server 2003 and verify that the installation was successful. Describe the process for upgrading to Exchange Server 2003 from Exchange 2000. 
Configure and manage Exchange Server 2003.
Manage interoperability between Exchange Server 2003 and Exchange 2000. 
Secure Exchange Server 2003. 
Manage recipients. 
Manage public folders. 
Manage address lists. 
Implement and manage client access with Internet protocols. 
Manage client configuration and connectivity. 
Manage routing. 
Manage mobile devices with Exchange Server 2003. 
Manage data storage and hardware resources. 
Plan for disaster and disaster recovery. 
Back up and restore Exchange. 
Perform preventive maintenance. 
Migrate users from Exchange Server 5.5 to a separate Exchange Server 2003 organization. 

Prerequisites

Before attending this course, students must have:

Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003. 
Working knowledge of networking, including Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Domain Name System (DNS), and Internet Information Services (IIS). 
Working knowledge of Internet protocols, including Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) or Internet Message Access Protocol version 4 (IMAP4), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and Network News Transfer Protocols (NNTP). 

Students should also have completed: 

2273: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment, or equivalent knowledge 
2277: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services, or equivalent knowledge 
2278: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, or equivalent knowledge

Knowledge of Exchange Server 5.5 or Exchange 2000 Server is beneficial but not necessary. 

Microsoft Certified Professional Exams

This course will help the student prepare for the following Microsoft Certified Professional exam:

Exam 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 

Course Materials

The student kit includes a comprehensive workbook and other necessary materials for this class.

Course Outline

Module 1: Installing and Upgrading to Exchange Server 2003

A requirement of a messaging administrator may be to install Exchange Server 2003 on newly acquired hardware. Because of this requirement, it is necessary for the administrator to know how to perform a clean installation of Exchange Server 2003. The administrator also needs to know how to install and use the tools that are needed to manage Exchange Server 2003.

Because of the complexity involved in upgrading to Exchange Server 2003 from previous versions of Exchange, the administrator may not perform any upgrade tasks. However, it is still beneficial for the administrator to understand the overall upgrade process.

Installing Exchange Server 2003 and the accompanying administrative tools is only the first step in getting a production server functioning correctly. The final two tasks to complete to get a production server functioning correctly, are covered in Module 2 and Module 3.

Lessons

Installing Exchange Server 2003 
Installing Exchange Server 2003 in a Clustered Environment 
Installing and Using Exchange Management Tools 
Upgrading to Exchange Server 2003 from Exchange 2000 

Practices

Installing Exchange Server 2003 
Installing Exchange Server 2003 in a Clustered Environment 
Installing Windows Support Tools
Creating a Custom MMC 
Choosing Exchange Management Tools and Utilities 

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Install Exchange Server 2003. 
Install Exchange Server 2003 in a clustered environment. 
Install and use Exchange management tools. 
Upgrade to Exchange Server 2003 from Exchange 2000. 

Module 2: Configuring and Managing Exchange Server 2003

After an administrator installs Exchange Server 2003, they must configure the server to run in their messaging environment. Configuration tasks include setting up Exchange policies to simplify administration and configuring Exchange server so that the administrator can proactively manage server performance. If the administrator uses both Exchange Server 2003 and Exchange 2000 Server in their messaging environment, they must also effectively manage this mixed environment.

This module describes how to configure and manage a newly installed server running Exchange Server 2003 by using the tools that are in Exchange Server 2003 and in the Windows Server 2003 family.

Lessons

Creating and Applying Exchange Policies 
Configuring Exchange Server 2003 for Proactive Management 
Adding, Removing, and Updating Exchange Servers 
Managing Exchange Server 2003 in a Mixed Environment 

Practices

Creating a System Policies container 
Creating and applying recipient policies 
Creating a new storage group and a new store 
Configuring resource monitoring on an Exchange server 
Configuring notifications by using Exchange System Manager 
Configuring performance logs 
Configuring alerts by using Performance Logs and Alerts 
Configuring message tracking 
Configuring SMTP logging 
Adding an SMTP virtual server 
Applying a hot fix 
Discussion: Configuring and Managing Exchange Server 2003 

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Create and apply Exchange policies to simplify administration. 
Configure Exchange Server 2003 to proactively manage server performance. 
Add, remove, and update Exchange servers. 
Manage Exchange Server 2003 in a mixed environment. 

Module 3: Securing Exchange Server 2003

After installing and configuring Exchange Server 2003, the administrator will need to secure the Exchange Server. Securing the Exchange Server is the final step of the three-step process of installing a new Exchange server in the actual environment. (Module 1 and 2 constitute the first two steps in this overall process.) Securing Exchange Server 2003 involves implementing antivirus strategies, implementing digital signatures and encryption features, and configuring firewalls, as well as setting administrative permissions.

Lessons

Preparing for Viruses 
Securing Mailboxes 
Implementing Digital Signature and Encryption Features 
Configuring Firewalls 
Configuring Administrative Permissions 
Allowing Only Required Services to Run on Exchange Server 2003 

Practices

Configuring Exchange to enable connection filtering 
Blocking e-mail addresses and domains 
Implementing digital signature and encryption capabilities on Exchange 
Creating an Administrative Group 
Delegating control of an Administrative Group 
Configuring custom security permissions 
Discussion: Securing Exchange Server 2003 

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Prepare Exchange Servers to combat viruses. 
Secure mailboxes.
Implement digital signature and encryption features.
Configure firewalls.
Configure administrative permissions.
Allow only required services to run on Exchange Server 2003.

Module 4: Managing Recipients

Exchange Server 2003 recipients include Exchange users, contacts, and groups. Because Exchange Server 2003 maintains its directory information in the Microsoft Active Directory® directory service, an administrator manages Exchange recipients by using Active Directory Users and Computers. Additionally, an administrator can use scripting utilities to make bulk changes to the Exchange recipient information that is stored in Active Directory.

Lessons

Introduction to Exchange Recipients
Creating, Deleting, and Modifying Users and Contacts
Managing Mailboxes
Managing Mail-Enabled Groups

Practices

Deciding which Exchange recipient type and scope to use
Creating a mailbox
Deleting an Exchange mailbox
Modifying an e-mail address
Using scripts to automate mailbox administration
Hiding a mailbox
Reconnecting a mailbox to a new Active Directory account
Configuring storage limits on individual mailboxes
Configuring Send on Behalf permissions by using Active Directory Users and Computers
Moving mailboxes by using Exchange Task Wizard
Configuring Active Directory Users and Computers to forward e-mail
Creating a mail-enabled group
Creating a query-based distribution group
Configuring permissions on distribution group usageDiscussion: Managing recipients

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe Exchange recipients and explain the messaging capability of the different Active Directory groups.
Create, delete, and modify users and contacts.
Manage mailboxes.
Manage mail-enabled groups.

Module 5: Managing Public Folders

Public folders are an integral part of the Exchange Server 2003 messaging system. Public folders enable users in an Exchange organization to share information by using a variety of file formats. Managing public folders involves managing public folder data, as well as network access to public folders. An Exchange administrator’s primary tool for managing public folders is Exchange System Manager.

Lessons

Managing Public Folder Data
Managing Network Access to Public Folders
Publishing An Outlook 11 Form

Practices

Creating a custom MMC for public folder management
Creating a general-purpose public folder tree
Granting permission to create top-level folders
Creating public folders in Exchange System Manager
Configuring client permissions to access a public folder
Replicating a public folder to a different server
Creating a public folder index and enabling client search of the index
Relocating index files
Creating an organizational forms library
Discussion: Managing Public Folders

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Manage public folder data.
Manage network access to public folders.
Create and publish a Microsoft Office Outlook® 11 form.

Module 6: Managing Address Lists

Users who use Exchange Server as their e-mail server typically search for other e-mail users in their company by using the global address list (GAL), which includes all the e-mail messaging recipients, including contacts with external addresses and distribution groups, in the Exchange organization. Administrators use Exchange System Manager in Exchange Server 2003 to simplify management of address lists. Administrators also use Exchange System Manager to create custom address lists that meet users’ specific needs and that help them find e-mail addresses faster.

Lessons

Introduction to Address Lists
Managing and Customizing Address Lists

Practices

Creating and Customizing Address Lists
Creating and configuring an additional GAL
Creating and configuring a custom address list
Creating an offline address list
Customizing display names by using the ADSI Edit snap-in
Forcing Recipient Update Service to update the GAL
Discussion: Managing Address Lists

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Explain when to use different types of address lists.
Manage and customize address lists.

Module 7: Implementing and Managing Client Access with Internet Protocols

Outlook Web Access enables users to gain access to their mailboxes by using an Internet browser. Outlook Web Access also allows users access to data that is in public folders, network shared folders, and on company intranets.

Lessons

Introduction to Internet Client Access Protocols
Implementing a Front-End and Back-End Server Topology
Implementing and Managing Outlook Web Access

Practices

Choosing Internet Clients and Exchange Technologies
Configuring a Secure Front-End Server
Configuring SSL Between the Client and the Front-End Server
Discussion: Implementing and Managing Client Access with Internet Protocols

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Implement front-end and back-end servers.
Implement and manage Outlook Web Access.

Module 8: Managing Client Configuration and Connectivity

Frequently, users ask messaging administrators to assist them with configuring their e-mail software or setting up specific collaborative features. This module introduces client configuration and connectivity concepts and demonstrates the common tasks that are associated with configuring and customizing Outlook 2003, including performing calendaring tasks in Outlook 2003, and installing and configuring Microsoft Outlook Express.

Lessons

Configuring and Customizing Outlook 2003
Performing Calendaring Tasks in Outlook 2003
Installing and Configuring Outlook Express

Practices

Configuring Outlook to connect to Exchange 2003
Configuring rules and Out of Office messages
Granting permission to a delegate to access mailbox information
Scheduling a meeting
Creating a group schedule
Using WebDAV to connect Outlook Express to Exchange
Adding an e-mail or news account in Outlook Express
Showing and hiding IMAP folders
Discussion: Managing Client Configuration and Connectivity

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Configure and customize Outlook 2003.
Perform common calendaring tasks in Outlook 2003.
Install and configure Outlook Express.

Module 9: Managing Routing

Messaging administrators assemble servers running Exchange Server 2003 into routing groups to control message traffic and to help Exchange route messages more efficiently. Configuring routing groups and managing their connectivity to the Internet are important parts of an administrator’s day-to-day job.

Lessons

Explaining How Message Routing Works in an Organization
Configuring Routing in an Exchange Organization
Explaining Internet Connectivity Concepts and Protocols
Managing Connectivity to the Internet

Practices

Explaining How Message Routing Works in an Exchange Organization
Deciding on the Best Way to Connect Routing Groups
Creating a Routing Group
Creating a Routing Group Connector
Using the Monitoring and Status tool to monitor server, connector, and resource status
Explaining Internet Connectivity Concepts and Protocols
Creating an MX record for the Exchange server
Creating and configuring an SMTP connector
Restricting user accounts from sending Internet E-mail
Configuring Exchange to use an SMTP relay host
Configuring the SMTP connector to override relay settings on the SMTP virtual server
Configuring Exchange to pull e-mail from another server by using ETRNDiscussion: Managing Routing

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Explain how message routing works in an Exchange organization.
Configure routing in an Exchange organization.
Explain Internet connectivity concepts and protocols.
Manage connectivity to the Internet.

Module 10: Managing Mobile Devices with Exchange Server 2003

This module introduces students to the new mobility feature of Exchange Server 2003.

Lessons

Managing Mobility Components
Provisioning Users for Mobile Access

Practices

Secure Outlook Mobile Access by Configuring SSL on the Virtual Directory
Using Internet Explorer to Connect to your Inbox
Discussion: Managing Mobile Devices with Exchange Server 2003

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Manage mobility components.
Provision users for mobile access.

Module 11: Managing Data Storage and Hardware Resources

To manage and optimally use Exchange data storage, messaging administrators must understand how Exchange Server 2003 stores data and what storage technologies it uses. Administrators must also understand what effects hardware components have on Exchange performance and the steps that they can take to improve performance.

Lessons

Managing Data Storage
Managing Disk Space
Managing Hardware Upgrades

Practices

Discussion: How and Where Exchange Stores Data
Enabling circular logging on a storage group
Choosing the best RAID levels for your environment
Configuring Exchange to use limited memory
Discussion: Managing Data Storage and Hardware Resources

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Manage data storage.
Manage disk space.
Manage hardware upgrades.

Module 12: Disaster Recovery

The importance of preparing for the disaster recovery of the messaging system cannot be overemphasized. This module discusses not only how to create a planning document for disaster recovery, but it also explains the various procedures that are involved in backing up and restoring the messaging system.

Lessons

Planning for Disaster in Your Exchange Environment
Backing Up Exchange Server 2003
Restoring Exchange Server 2003

Practices

Performing an Online Backup of a Storage Group
Performing a Snapshot Backup of a Storage Group
Creating a Volume Shadow Copy
Backing Up an Index
Verifying Backup Is Completed Successfully
Restoring Store from Backup
Reconnecting a Mailbox and Recovering a Message
Discussion: Disaster Recovery

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Plan for disaster in the Exchange environment.
Back up Exchange Server 2003.
Restore Exchange Server 2003.

Module 13: Performing Preventive Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is the key to ensuring the availability and reliability of the messaging system. By categorizing and scheduling maintenance tasks accordingly, a messaging administrator can approach their administrative tasks in an organized, systematic manner.

Lessons

Managing Daily Exchange Operations
Conducting Scheduled Exchange Maintenance
Performing On-Demand Exchange Maintenance

Practices

Checking Event Viewer for potential issues
Checking Monitoring and Status for potential issues
Verifying that queues have no long-term undelivered messages
Generating a performance report and looking for trends
Checking the SMTP log for problems
Using HTTPmon to monitor an Outlook Web Access front-end server
Checking for over-limit mailboxes & Cleaning mailboxes
Managing the Postmaster mailbox
Defragmenting an Exchange store
Verifying a mailbox store by using Isinteg.exe
Discussion: Performing Preventive Maintenance

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Manage daily Exchange operations.
Conduct scheduled Exchange maintenance.
Perform on-demand Exchange maintenance.

Module 14: Migrating Users from Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange Server 2003

Because it is common for companies to merge, many messaging administrators must implement messaging deployment plans to support the merging of established messaging systems. This module teaches administrators how to migrate the Exchange Server 5.5 messaging system of a company running a Microsoft Windows NT® 4.0 domain into the Exchange Server 2003 messaging system of another company running Windows Server 2003 and Active Directory. These same steps can also be used to merge two organizations that use either Exchange 2000 or Exchange 2003.

Lessons

Populating Active Directory with Windows NT 4.0 User and Group Accounts
Connecting the Exchange 5.5 Directory to Active Directory
Moving Mailbox and Public Folder Contents into an Exchange Server 2003 Organization

Practices

Creating a trust between a Windows NT 4.0 domain and an Active Directory domain
Installing ADMT
Migrating user accounts using ADMT
Migrating Exchange 5.5 mailbox ACLs using ADMT
Verifying a successful user and group account migration
Installing the Active Directory Connector (ADC)
Configuring resource mailbox properties
Configuring an inter-organizational connection agreement
Verifying synchronization
Organizing objects in Active Directory
Moving Mailboxes from Exchange 5.5 to Exchange 2003
Moving public folders from Exchange 5.5 to Exchange 2003
Discussion: Migrating Users from Exchange Server 5.5 to Exchange Server 2003

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Populate Active Directory with Windows NT 4.0 user and group accounts. 
Connect the Exchange 5.5 directory to Active Directory. 
Move mailbox and public folder contents into an Exchange Server 2003 organization. .