Chapter 8 -- Microsoft Outlook 2000 Deployment

Chapter 8

About This Chapter

Microsoft Outlook is currently the preferred messaging and collaboration client in Microsoft Exchange Server environments. Outlook replaced the former Microsoft Exchange Client and Schedule+ applications, yet these and Internet-based client programs, such as Microsoft Outlook Express or Outlook Web Access, may also be used to access mailboxes and public folders. However, none of the latter provides the vast amount of features or level of integration with Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server that Outlook offers.

It is a good idea to deploy Outlook 2000 to best utilize the capabilities of your messaging and collaboration system. Outlook 2000 is more powerful and more reliable than any of its predecessors, it operates faster, it supports exciting new technologies, and it provides administrators with mighty deployment capabilities.

With Exchange 2000 Server in mind, this chapter focuses on the installation and configuration of Outlook 2000. The first lesson covers the various installation types and valuable setup utilities. The second lesson examines Exchange-specific configuration settings, and the third lesson is dedicated to the configuration of messaging-related Outlook options.

Before You Begin

To complete this chapter:

• Prepare your test environment according to the descriptions given in the "Getting Started" section of "About This Book." Although not necessarily required, it is assumed that you have followed the exercises of "Chapter 5, "Installing Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server."
• Be familiar with the general functionality of Outlook 2000 and the interaction of Exchange 2000 Server components with Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI)-based clients as explained in Chapter 3, "Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Architecture."
• You should have a copy of the Custom Installation Wizard, which is included with the Microsoft Office Resource Kit core tool set, available on the Microsoft Office Resource Kit CD as well as the Microsoft Office Resource Kit Web site. To download the tool set, go to the Office Resource Kit home page at http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/default.htm , then click on the link for the Office Resource Kit Toolbox. On the Toolbox page, scroll down to the listing for the Office Resource Kit core tool set, then click the download icon to copy the files to your computer.