Using the Graphical Administration Tools

Exchange Server 2007 provides several types of tools for administration. The graphical tools are the ones you'll use most frequently. Exchange Server and Forefront Security for Exchange have separate management consoles. If you follow the instructions for installing Exchange Server in Chapter 2, you'll be able to access these consoles by selecting Start, choosing Programs or All Programs, and then using the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 menu.

Exchange Server 2007 has several graphical tools that replace or combine features of the graphical tools in previous Exchange Server editions. Exchange Management Console, shown in Figure 1-1, replaces Exchange System Manager. As discussed further in chapters 17 and 18, the Toolbox node in Exchange Management Console provides access to a suite of related tools, including:

• Best Practices Analyzer Checks the configuration and health of your Exchange organization to ensure it complies with current best practices recommended by Microsoft. As best practices are periodically updated, the tool includes an update facility to ensure that the most current best practices are in place.

• Database Recovery Management Assists administrators in restoring server availability. Also provides step-by-step recovery procedures.

• Database Troubleshooter Helps troubleshoot problems related to mounting data stores as well as other problems related to Exchange databases and transaction logs that prevent recovery.

• Mail Flow Troubleshooter Helps troubleshoot problems related to mail flow and transport configuration by providing suggested resolutions for symptoms observed by administrators.

• Message Tracking Allows administrators to track messages as they are routed through the Exchange organization.

• Queue Viewer Allows administrators to track message queues and mail flow. Also allows administrators to manage message queuing and remove messages.

• Performance Monitor Allows administrators to graph system performance. Also allows administrators to create performance logs and alerts. Wide arrays of Exchange performance objects are available for tracking performance.

• Performance Troubleshooter Helps troubleshoot problems related to performance by identifying possible bottlenecks and providing suggested solutions.

Figure 1-1: The Exchange Management Console.

Other administration tools that you might want to use with Exchange Server are summarized in Table 1-2.

Table 1-2: Quick Reference Administration Tools to Use with Exchange Server 2007
Open table as spreadsheet

Administrative Tool	Purpose
Active Directory Cleanup Wizard	Identify and merge multiple accounts that refer to the same person.
Computer Management	Start and stop services, manage disks, and access other system management tools.
Configure Your Server	Add, remove, and configure Windows services for the network.
DNS	Manage the DNS service.
Event Viewer	Manage events and logs.
IIS Manager	Manage Web servers used by Exchange.
Microsoft Network Monitor	Monitor network traffic and troubleshoot networking problems.

You access most of the tools listed in Table 1-2 from the Administrative Tools program group. Click Start, point to Programs or All Programs, and then point to Administrative Tools.