The 64bit challenge

One of the largest challenges for some organizations will be that Exchange 2007 needs 64bit hardware for the server. Exchange 2007 will only be released as a 64bit version, as 64bit hardware and operating systems handle larger amounts of memory much better and have significant speed advantages over their 32bit predecessors. This means IT departments are going to have to get up to speed on 64bit operating systems and the associated benefits and challenges. Many IT shops are eager to move to the 64bit platforms as the improved performance may lead to hardware consolidation.

Another challenge will be the learning curve. Microsoft has consolidated management of the Exchange 2007 environment back into one tool, the Exchange Management Shell and the GUI counterpart, Exchange Management Console (previously referred to as the System Manager). The Exchange Management Shell is a command line interface for all management functions. This new command line interface provides administrators with the ability to build scripts to automate administrative tasks. Scripting capabilities have been enhanced through the addition of a preview mode in the Exchange Management Console GUI so that administrators can preview (and copy) command line equivalents from the GUI mouse clicks.

The architecture of Exchange has changed, too. Microsoft has redesigned Exchange to five role-based functions that can be consolidated on one server or distributed onto multiple servers. These new roles are: Client Access, Edge Transport, Hub Transport, Mailbox Storage, and Unified Messaging. IT departments are going to need to understand these roles in order to design their Exchange environment to fit their needs.

Enhanced security

Probably one of the biggest enhancements of Exchange 2007 is the new security functionality. A couple of the key security enhancements are the new server roles, the tighter integration of anti-virus and anti-spam, and the implementation of SSL encryption by default on client server communications.

The new roles greatly enhance security, particularly the introduction of the Edge Transport role. The role is actually a replacement for the mail relay role that many organizations have implemented, many using Linux based solutions like Postfix. The security enhancement this role allows is that the attachment, connection, content, recipient, and sender filtering as well as anti-spam and anti-virus can be moved to the network perimeter while still being part of the Exchange organization but not a member of the domain. I’m not going to delve into the other roles but if you are interested in reading more, there is a good summary at: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/articles/e2k7getstarted.mspx

With Microsoft’s purchase of Sybari (now called Forefront for Exchange) and Frontbridge (now called Exchange Hosted Services), their anti-virus and anti-spam integration is far better in Exchange 2007. The Enterprise client access license of Exchange 2007 includes Exchange Hosted Filtering Service, which allows businesses to outsource their anti-virus and anti-spam to a hosted managed service. This addresses huge issues for most IT departments – email security and the constant complaints about too much SPAM in users’ inboxes.

In Exchange 2003, it was possible to use SSL for communications between the Outlook 2003 client and the Exchange server (RDP over HTTPS), however with Exchange 2007 and Outlook 2007, this functionality is the default communication method, significantly enhancing communication security and functionality. With appropriate firewall configuration, users can securely use the full Outlook 2007 client anywhere they have Internet connectivity.

Remote access

Quite possibly the most overlooked new functionality of Exchange 2007 is the enhanced Outlook Web Access (OWA). The new OWA has incorporated many of the long desired features of the full Outlook client including email address auto complete, being able to view other users’ calendars, and access to network documents. Administrators can set up users with access to network shares and SharePoint libraries via the OWA interface. This new access, when incorporated with SSL encrypted communications, can give remote workers the access they need without a separate VPN solution, and give them access to network-based files. Another slick new feature of OWA is the web ready document viewing. This allows users to view many attachments without the need for the application on the computer.

It is a little early to tell, but the new mobility features of Exchange 2007 may be a significant challenger to RIM’s BlackBerry®. There are so many features with the new mobility functionality when used with the new Microsoft Windows Mobile® 5.0 smart phones that this solution should be evaluated by IT departments and business users to see if they meet their needs. For me the BlackBerry® works better so far, but I’m considering giving this solution serious consideration for the first time.

Telephony integration

With the advances in IP telephony, it seemed natural for Microsoft to step up to the plate and improve their integration with corporate phone systems (PBX’s). Based on an initial review of the functionality, they hit a ground rule double – not bad for the first attempt. Microsoft has developed a new Exchange server role, Unified Messaging, which allows Exchange to integrate into the PBX infrastructure using the SIP protocol. This will allow IT departments to either directly integrate using SIP (Cisco Call Manager only) or using a third party gateway solution to integrate voicemail and faxing into the user’s email inbox and, with a feature called Outlook Voice Access, they can have their email read to them over the phone. Nothing here that was not around from third parties or PBX vendors before, but certainly potentially productivity enhancing functionality has been included with the Enterprise license. The third parties or PBX vendors have these features better tested and more robust, but this will certainly improve integration as the vendors take advantage of this feature.

Reduced interruptions

IT departments will be happy to see that Microsoft has put some functionality and tools in place to improve their ability to reduce business interruption in their Exchange messaging environment.

One nice thing is that Exchange 2007 has no database size limitation, which has long plagued IT departments and forced workarounds to deal with users’ exploding use of email communication.

Microsoft has expanded their clustering and replication options. They have enhanced their replication solution to include both local and cluster continuous replication. These solutions will allow IT departments to plan a highly available Exchange environment and reduce the potential of business interruption, through faster recovery and ongoing backup, and active/passive cluster failover.

These features, in conjunction with the new 64bit environment of more available memory and increased processor performance, should allow for consolidation of larger organizations’ email infrastructures, and ease administration.

Wrap-up

Exchange 2007 is going to introduce some serious learning challenges for many IT departments, but the new features and functionality appear to provide a solution to improve productivity and collaboration.

Scott Murphy is a Consultant and VP – Business Development at Data Perceptions. Scott helps companies select best available technologies to meet their business requirements. In his role as Business Development lead, Scott has helped develop Data Perceptions’ extended team and the collaborative consulting model. Data Perceptions has developed and maintains relationships with over 80 independent consultants and 200 partner firms to allow us to meet a larger range of our clients’ and prospects’ requirements.