Chapter 6. Integrating Exchange Server 2003 in a Non-Windows Environment

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Synchronizing Directory Information with Microsoft Identity Integration Services (MIIS) 2003

• Synchronizing Exchange Server 2003 with Novell eDirectory

• Managing Identity Information Between LDAP Directories and Exchange Server 2003

• Using Services for Unix to Integrate Unix Environments with Exchange Server 2003

• Best Practices

By using Active Directory for its own directory system, Exchange Server 2003 reduces the amount of administration required in an Exchange environment by eliminating a redundant directory. But beyond the boundaries of Active Directory, organizations have needed the capabilities of further extending their directories, ideally reducing the maintenance required to a single administrative point. When a new employee starts, for example, a single entry would then ideally create a mailbox, enter the new employee into an HR database, create a Unix account, create a Novell Directory Services (NDS) account, and the like.

These types of capabilities and integration in non-Windows environments have become more streamlined and capable with the release of several new tools that possess these types of metadirectory capabilities. The use of these tools in an Exchange Server 2003 environment can greatly reduce the administrative overhead associated with having multiple directories, and subsequently make it less costly to operate .

This chapter focuses on the integration of Exchange Server 2003's directory system, Active Directory, with non-Windows environments, such as Unix, Novell, and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directories. Various tools that can be used to accomplish this are presented, and the pros and cons of each are analyzed .