Microsoft Exchange Server is a highly efficient mail server and electronic billing server developed by Microsoft Corporation. It runs entirely on Windows Server OS. With the use of this server, users can create, manage, and access their own email accounts. The Exchange Server also allows users to perform online role playing games (known as MMORPGs or massively multi-player online role playing games) and e-commerce activities.
Microsoft Exchange Server is typically deployed as a network-based service provider.
A network-based exchange server is one that distributes workstations over the Internet and makes them accessible via the Internet. A file, message, contact, calendar, or other information resides on a server without requiring a user’s computer to be at its location. This allows for easy communications between multiple users within a short distance and makes it easier for the service provider to provide advanced services such as payroll processing and inventory management to their clients.
Microsoft Exchange Server offers two main installation options: on-premises and stand-alone. For organizations that require extensive and sensitive data, on-premises Exchange Server is usually the best choice. This type of server is licensed on a per-user basis and supports several database types, such as the standard MS Exchange database and the newer MS Sharepoint database. An organization using on-premises Exchange Server requires licensing for each user, rather than a license for every user. With an on-premises Exchange Server, a company is only required to pay for the services that they use while the server is in use.
Stand-alone servers are less expensive but are less robust than on-premises Exchange Server.
It does not contain the same features as an Exchange Server and users are unable to utilize the benefits of load balancing, which comes with an Exchange Server. Without load balancing, a business may experience a delay when connections to external resources are slow or non-existent. An organization may also experience a decrease in productivity because some employees cannot access email client. If a web user sends a lot of emails that take a long time to send, the wait time can be very long.
The Microsoft Exchange Server has a first version that was released in 2021. Users who have been on the system for more than five years have a familiarity with the interface, functionality, and storage capacity of the first version. The upgrade from the first version to the second version can be performed only by an expert technician. During the upgrade, all customization options including the logo and auto-responder messages are removed. The only thing left is the basic functionality and setup of new email accounts.
If the organization uses an email message delivery service for sending electronic newsletters, it may no longer be supported by the first released Exchange Server. The migration from the first version to the second version can be easily accomplished by a consultant. Microsoft provides training on the process of upgrading to a newer version of Exchange Server. During the training, the configuration of the Exchange Server will be explained and the different servers will be compared.
A feature that is available in the third edition of Exchange Server is the application high availability (HA) feature. It is useful for applications such as Microsoft SharePoint, web e-mail, Microsoft Business Center, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Outlook, and custom web solutions. When the application high availability feature is activated, an entire server is brought into a fully functional mode. Users can easily access the data center without worrying about hardware failure. Another advantage of using Exchange Server in a data center with Exchange Server 2021 is that users can make use of remote management tools such as Citrix Metaframe viewer, Computed Security Authority, and Microsoft Intune to monitor the health and operations of the server.
One more feature that is available in the Microsoft Exchange Server is the Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (MEPA). This is a form of anti-virus that is used for protection against malware, spam, and other malicious threats.
- The Microsoft Exchange Server also offers several other features such as cold storage, online protection, and auto-responder service for troubleshooting.
- These features are useful for companies who do not use the in-house IT staff for their server tasks.
- If your company uses Microsoft Exchange Server, it is important that you check out the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server, which is Microsoft Exchange Server 2021.