Acknowledgments

When we started to work on MCSE Training Kit—Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Implementation and Administration in the beginning of the year 2000, we intended to cover both Microsoft Certified Professional exam 70-224, Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server , and exam 70-225, Designing and Deploying a Messaging Infrastructure with Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server , in one book. We tried, but it wasn’t possible. Both exams deal with Exchange 2000 very differently. Soon, we opted to develop the first Training Kit strictly for exam 70-224 and cover exam 70-225 in a second, the current MCSE Training Kit—Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Design and Deployment. The two kits complement each other, but remain independent self-study guides.

Exam 70-224 requires practical skills, and, accordingly, the first Training Kit contains a large number of practical exercises that allow you to learn in a minimum of time how to manage Exchange 2000 Server. Exam 70-225, on the other hand, is more conceptual and theoretical in nature. Instead of explaining how, the current Training Kit must explain why you want to manage Exchange 2000 in a particular way. It is impossible to illustrate this in step-by-step exercises, but we managed to keep this a hands-on book. Almost all lessons contain activities. You don’t need any servers or workstations; only your motivation to become a professional Exchange 2000 designer is required. It’s not easy to complete the activities. Sometimes, you may even choose a different strategy than what is suggested. That’s fine, as long as you can see the direction that the suggested answers are leading you. Keep in mind that there are many ways to build an Exchange 2000 organization successfully, or as the ancient Romans said, "All roads lead to Rome."

This MCSE Training Kit—Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Design and Deployment contains the work of many people and I would like to take the opportunity to thank these folks who have spent so many weeks, months, evenings, and weekends to complete this book. It is the most complex Training Kit I’ve ever worked on—that’s for sure. Please let me introduce you to all the people who helped me.

I’d like to mention and thank Thomas Pohlmann, my Acquisition Editor, first. It was actually his idea to produce this book. Thomas also helped me in many ways during the early stages when I had trouble switching from the practice-orientedwriting style of the first Training Kit to the concept-oriented technique required to teach planning and design aspects. Michael Bolinger, Project Editor of the first Exchange 2000 Training Kit, also deserves to be mentioned. Michael is a very experienced coordinator who helped me to master many hurdles, even though he was not my direct communication partner in this project.

My actual communication partner was Barbara Moreland, and it was great to work with her again. Back in 1998, Barbara and I had already worked together on the Microsoft SNA Server Training Kit. Having her back as the Project Editor leading our team, I knew nothing could go wrong with the book. Unfortunately, something did go wrong for Barbara, and she had to leave our team for personal reasons. Barbara, I wish you all the best. Alles Gute! I hope you can come back to work very soon.

Karen Szall filled in the vacant position and immediately assumed full control. It’s certainly not easy to take over a project in the middle of the process, but everything went smoothly, as if she had always been the Project Editor. Don’t ask me how she did that. Karen is relatively new at Microsoft Press. Perhaps, it was her experience as a project leader and product release manager at IBM that gave her this ability. She actually began her career as a technical writer and editor. Welcome back to the publishing business, Karen!

Now, I’m very pleased to introduce to you the actual technical and language editors. The good news is that this is the very same wonderful team from nSight, Inc., who worked on MCSE Training Kit—Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Implementation and Administration. These professionals made sure that the second book maintains the same excellent quality as the first Training Kit.

Tony Northrup, my Technical Editor, MCSE and Compaq ASE, author of Introducing Windows 2000 Server and NT Network Plumbing , co-author of Networking Essentials Unleashed , and Technical Editor for Microsoft Windows 2000 TCP/IP Protocol and Services Technical Reference and MCSE Training Kit—Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure Administration , is one of the best experts in Windows 2000 and Exchange 2000 Server that I know. He has worked at some of the largest corporations in the United States. With Tony on the team, all technical issues were in the best hands.

Personally, I consider myself an "okay" messaging specialist, but I’m certainly not a linguistic Houdini or a great master of art. Sarah Kimnach Hains, Project Manager, and her team took the challenge, edited my manuscript and all the artwork, and produced this book with the highest standard of quality. Her team members are Theresa Horton, Copy Editor; Mary Beth McDaniel, Page Layout and Art; Patty Fagan, Art; Rebecca Merz, Proofchecker; Jackie Fearer, Proofreader. Folks, this is not only the most complex Training Kit I’ve ever worked on, it also turned out to be the most beautiful one—thanks to you! Writing a computer book is a full-time job. No, let me correct that: Writing a computer book is an extreme job. If you happen to be a computer book author yourself, I’m sure you agree. It doesn’t just consume time. It takes over your life completely. Without the constant support of my wife, Jean, and my family, I would not be able to do it. Thank you my wonderful Buggy-Darling, for being on my side and always helping me through the difficult times.

Despite all the hard work, I like to write Training Kits because this gives me the feeling that I can actively help you move ahead. I wish you much success in passing exam 70-225 and even more in building your career as a professional expert in Exchange 2000 Server. Thank you for your interest in this book.

Redmond, 30th of June, 2001
Mr. Kay Unkroth
Manager, Corporate OnSite International LLC