Understanding Other Non-Windows Client Access Methods

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In addition to the Mac operating systems, Exchange e2003 can support a variety of clients by enabling support for Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), SMTP, and POP. Using these protocols, Exchange administrators can provide imitated email functionality and support a variety of clients throughout the Exchange environment for email and communication purposes.

POP3 Access to Exchange

POP3 is one of the most popular methods of providing mail services on the Internet today. POP is highly reliable but has limited functionality. Users who access email with POP3 download all messages to the local client and send and receive messages only when a connection is established with the POP server.

When enabled with Exchange 2003, the POP protocol can be leveraged to provide email support to additional non “Windows-based clients' platforms. Through the common method of sending mail, multiple client platforms can communicate over email regardless of the actual desktop operating system and client mail software being used.

The POP3 functionality of Exchange Server 2003 can support multiclient environments, including the Eudora Mail client, the Netscape Mail client, and other POP-compatible nonspecific client platforms. This protocol is best used when supporting single client systems that download mail and store mail information locally.

IMAP Access to Exchange

IMAP is an additional method that can be used to support non “Windows-based client access to Exchange 2003 information. Designed to allow access to information stores located on a remote system, IMAP can also be used to support the Linux-based Netscape Mail clients.

Using the Netscape Mail client, Netscape users can access, collaborate, and store information on the Exchange 2003 server with the IMAP support built in to Netscape Communicator. With this functionality, networks can now incorporate additional operating systems, such as Linux with Netscape Mail, and still support email functionality between all Network users.

Use the preferences option on the Netscape Mail client to configure and enable support for IMAP communication with Exchange 2003.

Pocket PC Access

New to Exchange Server 2003, client mobile access is now fully integrated and supported when the Exchange 2003 server is installed.

Remote and mobile users can use the Outlook Pocket PC version to send, receive, and synchronize mail, calendaring, and task information, using the Windows Pocket PC 2003 platform over mobile information services built in to Exchange 2003.

For more information regarding the options and configuration to support Pcket PC access to Exchange 2003, see Chapter 24, "Configuring Client Systems for Mobility."

HTML Access

Another new feature with Exchange 2003 is HTML access. With this feature, administrators can use Internet-ready cellular telephones to provide HTML access to Exchange information for mobile users regardless of where they might be.

By providing additional mobile services and client permissions through Active Directory, alternate access can be granted to email and Exchange using Internet-ready mobile phone devices over HTML access.

For more information regarding HTML access options and configurations, see Chapter 24.

Outlook Web Access

One of the most effective methods of allowing access to Exchange information is OWA. Enhanced greatly in Exchange 2003, OWA can be used to provide HTML browser access to Exchange mailboxes from inside the network as well as the Internet.

Probably the biggest benefit to using the OWA solution to support non “Windows-based clients is that it is nondiscretionary as to which type of Internet browser can access it. Effective in functionality, Linux-based users and others using non “Windows-based systems can access OWA for email and calendar management in the same fashion as any Windows-based users.

For more information regarding OWA and enabling support, see Chapter 26, "Everything You Need to Know About the Outlook Web Access Client."

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