Chapter 26 -- Connecting to Microsoft Mail and Schedule

Chapter 26

About This Chapter

Microsoft Mail for PC Networks (MS Mail) was a popular messaging platform, with several million client licenses sold worldwide in the first half of the 1990s. In 1996, Microsoft Exchange Server 4.0 was released, which was targeted primarily at the installed MS Mail base to replace the former Microsoft messaging system entirely. A careful migration to Exchange Server was essential for the success of the new system. For seamless integration, Exchange Server 4.0 provided powerful MS Mail connectivity components. These components remained basically unchanged in subsequent Exchange Server versions.

Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server continues to support organizations with MS Mail environments. The architectural concepts are still the same although directory synchronization is now performed against the Active Directory directory service. If you are an experienced MS Mail administrator, you will find it straightforward to manage the MS Mail connectivity components of Exchange 2000 Server. The MS Mail Connector turns an Exchange 2000 server virtually into an MS Mail postoffice.

This chapter covers the Microsoft Mail Connector, directory synchronization with MS Mail (Dirsync), and the Microsoft Schedule+ Free/Busy Connector. It describes how to transfer e-mail messages, how to synchronize MS Mail address information with Active Directory recipient objects, and management of free/busy information.

Before You Begin

To complete this chapter:

• Be familiar with the responsibilities of Active Directory and Exchange 2000 Server system components and their interaction, as explained in Chapter 3, "Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Architecture."
• You should have practical experience in administering and troubleshooting MS Mail postoffices and directory synchronization. For detailed information about MS Mail, read the Microsoft Mail Administrator's Guide.