Administering Active Directory

In an Exchange organization, administrators spend a great deal of time dealing with users, contacts, and groups. The Exchange 2003 administration tools are very similar to those of Exchange 2000 and require very little additional training to get started. New features include drag-and-drop capability, an enhanced interface, and updated versions of the administration tools.

Although the tools and features have been updated since Exchange 2000, working with Exchange 2003 administration tools is easier for experienced administrators. The new tools are easier to use and time-saving as well for repetitive administration tasks. Overworked and underfunded administrators will rejoice with the newfound set of tools and productivity!

To manage Windows 2003 and some of the features of Exchange 2003, it is recommended that you install the administration tools on a workstation running Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or later. Using your server as the administration console exposes the server to unwanted risks, such as accidentally deleting system files or inadvertently introducing viruses. Be sure to have your Windows 2003 CD available because it will be needed to install the admin tools. (If the CD is not available, the appropriate version can be downloaded online from Microsoft.) For a successful workstation installation, use the following checklist:

• Install Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1 or later.

• Join the workstation to the domain with Exchange 2003.

• Install the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools Pack.

• Install the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol service (SMTPSVC).

• Install the Exchange System Management Tools.

• Shut down the SMTPSVC service (for security reasons).

To install the administration tools, locate the administration pack file, adminpak.msi, which is on the Windows Server 2003 CD in the \i386 directory, and then double-click the file. This will install all the tools available for administering Windows 2003. After the installation is complete, the tools can be accessed through the Administration Tools group on the Start menu. Remember that to work with these tools, the user must be logged on to the domain with administrative privileges in the domain.

Tip

Active Directory User and Computers (ADUC) is one tool that is used frequently by administrators. To minimize the amount of mouse clicking and provide quick access to ADUC, pin a shortcut to the program on the Start menu.

Exchange-specific tasks are accomplished with the Exchange administration tools found on the Exchange 2003 CD. To use these tools, the IIS Snap-in, the World Wide Web Publishing Service, the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools, and the SMTP Service must be available on your workstation. Look in Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Add/Remove Windows Components, then double-click Internet Information Services to check whether the components are installed; if not, check the option to install. The components are required to run the setup program on the Exchange 2003 CD. When you're prompted for the type of instal lation, choose Custom and select the option to install the Exchange System Management tools. After this is completed, the Start menu will contain an Exchange System Management group with the Exchange specific toolset.

Caution

Remember that to manage Exchange 2003, the management workstation must be part of the same forest as your Exchange servers. The workstation cannot manage domains in a different forest.