Microsoft Q&A: Integrating Exchange 2003 with Windows Server 2003 & Outlook 2003, part 2

By David Pye, Assistant Site Editor 27 Jun 2003 | SearchWinIT.com

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With Exchange Server 2003 about to hit the street and Windows Server 2003 just two months out the door, now is the time to learn how to optimize these new technologies. In a recent webcast, Integrating Exchange 2003 with Windows Server 2003 & Outlook 2003, Microsoft Senior Technology Advisor Matthew Hester and Exchange Server product manager Edward Wu discussed the key issues to consider before integrating new Exchange technologies into your existing Windows infrastructure. In the second part of this Q&A, they respond to more audience questions.

Q: Will OWA now support .pst files?
A: No.

Q: Can you define native mode Exchange?
A: Native vs. mixed mode has to do with co-existence, allowing multiple versions of Exchange to run together (e.g. Exchange 5.5, Exchange 2000 and Exchange Server 2003 in the same organization). Organizations must pick one mode to run in and once you select native mode, you can't go back to mixed mode; you can, however go from mixed to native mode. For full details and tradeoff explanations, please see this article.

Q: Will Outlook 2000 custom forms migrate and work into Outlook 2003?
A: Some may, but others may have to be redone.

Q: Does Exchange 2003 on a Win2k server support public folders?
A: No public folders are supported.

Q: Do I need Active Directory running on Windows Server 2003 for RPC over HTTP?
A: Yes, you need Windows 2003 DCs and GCs for this type of access.

Q: Can you run Outlook 2003 on Win 98 clients?
A: I don't think this is supported; however, Windows 2000 OS on the desktop is supported.

Q: Will Exchange 2003 allow tweaking of the memory usage, unlike Exchange 2000 (which grabs as much as it can up to 3 GB)?
A: Please refer to the previous question regarding /3GB and /Userva.

Q: Is Exchange 2003 like Exchange Enterprise, or like Exchange 2000 Standard?
A: Please visit www.Microsoft.com/exchange and see information on the two editions. Some new features added (i.e. recovery storage group) and OWA Front Ends can be Standard Edition when using Exchange 2003. In Exchange 2000, OWA FEs had to be Enterprise.

Q: Have tools for migrating from other platforms such as Notes and GroupWise been improved?
A: We are working with Casahl on migration tools for Notes. GroupWise may have some minor improvements.

Q: Anti Virus (AV) vendors are mentioned in the presentation. What do they think of the purchase of the Romanian AV company? Should I wait for the MS version of AV? Will you be purchasing an AS company soon?
A: No, don't wait -- future product plans are sill unclear and in the future -- you need AV today!

Q: The cost for small businesses to upgrade to Exchange 2003 (and Windows Server 2003 and Office 2003) is high, especially if they stayed away from licensing due to costs and confusion. Any advice?
A: You have two options. For very small businesses, please evaluate Small Business Server (SBS). For slightly larger organizations, upgrade to Exchange 2003 as it makes sense and aligns with your business goals. Evaluate the features that can provide greater ROI and lower costs.

>> Return to part one

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Webcast: Microsoft Live! Integrating Exchange 2003 with Windows Server 2003 and Outlook 2003

Download the PowerPoint presentation

View more webcasts on Exchange and messaging

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