Versions of Exchange 2000 Server

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Microsoft provides three distinct editions of Exchange 2000 Server. Each is basically identical in function, but includes a different set of features. The three editions are Exchange 2000 Server, Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server, and Exchange 2000 Conferencing Server.

Exchange 2000 Server

This edition is designed to meet the basic messaging needs of small to medium-sized companies. It is built on the new Web Store technology and includes a transacted data store that can reach a maximum of 16 exabytes and fault-tolerant SMTP routing.

Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server

This edition is designed to meet enterprise-level messaging and collaboration needs. Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server includes all of the features in Exchange 2000 Server and also provides a transacted data store that can grow to an unlimited size, that can be partitioned into separate physical databases for increased reliability, and four-way, active/active clustering.

Exchange 2000 Conferencing Server

This edition provides tools that allow users to participate in data, voice, and video conferences. The major distinguishing factor is that the server provides tools for reserving and allocating corporate conferencing resources. It supports load balancing, failover, and control of attendee access to conferences. In addition, by allocating bandwidth for each conference technology provider, you can run any combination of the conferencing services simultaneously. Exchange Conferencing Server is a separate product that will be available soon after Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server is released.

NOTE

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Throughout this book, we refer to Exchange Server in different ways, and each has a different meaning. Typically, we will refer to the software product as "Exchange Server." If you see this term, you can take it to mean Microsoft Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server. When necessary, we will use "Exchange 2000 Server" to draw attention to the fact that we are discussing a feature that is new or has changed in the most recent version of the product. Each of these terms means essentially the same thing. If we refer to a previous version of Exchange Server, we will always do so specifically, such as "Exchange Server 5.5." Finally, we will often use the term "Exchange server" (note the lowercase s in "server") to refer to an actual server computer, as in "There are eight Exchange servers in this routing group."