Exchange Server

Exchange Server is a mail server developed by Microsoft. It has better and more features than competitors and open-source solutions. In addition, it can work perfectly with Active Directory, and integrate with Skype for Business Server and Office Online Server to build a powerful collaboration and communication platform.

The latest version of the on-premise Exchange Server is Exchange Server 2019. Microsoft will no longer release year-ending, one-time purchase versions, but provide the Subscription Edition (SE) starting in 2025, you will have to pay periodically.

Prepare and Install

• Install prerequisites
  • Install the features and runtime that the Exchange Server requires.

• Prepare AD and domains
  • Exchange uses Active Directory to store information. Preparing in advance to avoid installation failures.

• Install Exchange Server
  • Install the Exchange Server.

• Post-installation tasks
  • Perform operations to get the Exchange server working and able to send and receive mail.

Mail flow

• Receive connectors
  • Create, configure, and manage Receive connectors to receive mail.

• Send connectors
  • Create, configure, and manage Send connectors to send mail.

• Accepted domain
  • Add accepted domain to receive mails from the specific domain.

Recipients

• Users and groups
  • Create user or group mailboxes.

• Shared mailboxes and room mailboxes
  • A shared mailbox is one that multiple users can use to read and send email messages. A room mailbox is a resource mailbox assigned to a physical location, such as a conference room.

• Configure email address policy
  • Set email address format rules for different users and groups.

Client access

• Enable POP3 and IMAP4 access
  • Configure to use different protocols to access the mailbox.

• Outlook settings
  • Configure the settings for Outlook on the web.

Management

• Manage users and groups
  • Set storage quotas and custom properties individually. Configure the user's contact and organization information, email address type, and mailbox delegation. Enable or disable IMAP, POP3, MAPI, and Outlook on the web.

• Servers and databases
  • Configure DNS lookups, transport retry settings, Outlook Anywhere settings, and mailbox storage quotas.

• Certificates
  • Request and manage server certificates.

High availability

Note: Starting in 2016, you can no longer install CAS and MBX roles separately. So there will be no guidance for role high availability here.

• Plan and designing
  • Learn about several common high-availability topologies.

• Network load balancing (WIP)
  • Download, install, and configure F5 BIG-IP for network high availability.

• Database Availability Group (DAG)
  • Create and configure DAG for database high availability.

Security

• Create and configure SPF record
  • Prevent spammers from using your domain to send spam.

• Antimalware and antispam
  • Enable and configure built-in security programs.

• RMS in Exchange
  • Use the RMS to protect emails by setting permissions.

Integrate with other software

• Integrate Exchange Server with Office Online Server
  • Integrate Exchange Server with Office Online Server.

• Integrate Exchange Server with Skype for Business Server
  • Integrate Exchange Server with Skype for Business Server

Tutorials

• Configure URL in Exchange
  • Configure internal and external URLs for client access.

• DKIM and DMARC record
  • Further protect the domain and prevent malicious parties from impersonating senders.

• Configure Download Domains
  • Configure Download Domains to address vulnerability.

Troubleshooting

• Track inbound and outbound mail flow
  • Track mail delivery status.

• Check Exchange Server health
  • Check Exchange Server health.

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