Chapter 22 -- Microsoft Outlook Web Access

Chapter 22

About This Chapter

Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA) has evolved from an Active Server Page (ASP)-based programming sample to a serious messaging and collaboration client based on the Internet Server Application Programming Interface (ISAPI). The new approach uses different technology, gives better performance, and improves scalability, but it is not compatible with the former ASP-based OWA. OWA is an integral part of Microsoft Exchange Messaging and Collaboration Services and will always be installed on your Exchange 2000 server.

The magic of OWA lies in its platform-independent Web browser support. You can gain access to Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server via any browser that supports JavaScript and frames. This might be an ideal solution for everyday UNIX users, and it is certainly an exciting option for avant-garde knowledge workers who need access to information anytime, anywhere, and on any device. With OWA and Microsoft Mobile Explorer, for example, you can turn Internet-enabled smart and feature phones into messaging and collaboration clients.

This chapter focuses on OWA of Exchange 2000 Server. Lesson 1 covers the architecture, and Lesson 2 approaches OWA from a more practical point of view, discussing the various methods of resource access as well as backward compatibility issues.

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 completed the exercises in previous chapters.
• You need to be familiar with the configuration of virtual servers, as introduced in Chapter 11, " Internet-Based Client Access."
• You should have knowledge about the configuration of secured Internet access points for HTTP-based access to Exchange 2000 Server resources, as discussed in Chapter 19, "Implementing Advanced Security."