MS Exchange Server

[jsbush]

When I try to install it, it says my computer has to be part of a domain. How would I go about installing it? Do I setup another pc as a domain controller, cus that is no problem.
BTW what program are you using.

Thanks.

 

[tippmann]

If it is not the Domain controller, then you need one...

MS wants you to set up the server as a stand alone server of a domain, so that users do not have access to the the file system...

 

[Shadow07]

Exchange will use the NT domain account for the email account logon. With out it, the administration of user accounts would be unbearable. You can re-install your NT system so that it is a PDC, then re-install Exchange so that you can use it.

 

[jsbush]

What does PDC stand for? And can I just install my win2k server as a domain controller and everything will work ok?

 

[CBuxton]

Are you trying to install Exchange 2000? If so, then you need Active Directory. I'd highly recommend against running AD AND Exchange 2k on the same box. They both use quite a few resources especially if you've got a fairly large network.

 

[jsbush]

Yes I noticed that it takes alot of system resource. Anyone know a good alternative? My server took about 10min to boot up. With AD and Exchange installed.

 

[twren]

I would goo with Small Business Server 2000, it has all the components you need. A friendly interface to hold your hand in the beginning and it is optimized to run on a network where it acts as the Primary Domain Controller and the Exchange server, among other things.

 

[tippmann]

If you are looking for web based mail check out IMail server

http://www.ipswitch.com/Products/IMail_Server/features.html

 

[jsbush]

Ouch, Imail is a little expensive. First off, is Exchange server hard to use? Next, to install Exchange server, all I have to do is be in a NT domain right. How could I join an already exsiting domain? Or would that increase security issues?

 

[Shadow07]

What version of Windows do you have? Is it Windows NT 4 or Windows 2000? If you are installing Exchange 5.5 on a Windows NT 4 server, you will need to install Windows NT 4.0 as a Primary Domain Controller to create a Windows NT 4 domain. If you are installing Windows 2000, you will have to run a program called DCPROMO. This will install Active Directory and turn your Windows 2000 server into a Domain Controller.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, then you should learn what Windows NT and/or Windows 2000 are instead of learning Exchange 5.5. You need to know Windows NT/2000 before you should even think about learning Exchange.

 

[jsbush]

Yes, I know about AD in windows 2000, but as CBuxton said. Running both AD and Exchange on the same computer is not a very good idea since they both use up alot of system resources. After I had installed AD my server took a really long time to boot up (I don't know if this is normal or not).

 

[jsbush]

DP

 

[Shadow07]

Yes it is. Just so we all can see, post back your system specs. I want to see if the hardware you have is slowing your machine, or if it another problem.

 

[jsbush]

AMD Classic 700mhz cpu
256megs of ram (cas2)
MSI 6167 motherboard
2-d-link 530 10/100
52x cd-rom.

And all the other little stuff.

 

[Shadow07]

Are you sure that you installed AD? I ask this because, the only reason you will have a long wait time when trying to login is that the system will try to update/register itself with a Dynamic DNS server, and it will time out if it cannot find a DDNS server. And if you have not installed the DNS server componant, you do not have a working AD, or AD is not installed. This is why you are having problems installing Exchange.

BTW, after you have installed Exchange 5.5, you will need to install the Directory Services Connector that should be on the Windows 2000 server CD-ROM disk.

 

[jsbush]

I will attempt to reinstall it, but there is one thing right at the begining of the setup that I am unshure of. When it says enter your domain name. My domain name is dittohost.com, but I'm not running it on my own dns server, because the resigstar I used doesn't support IP address dns servers. So I'm using it through zone edit. Now my question is what do I type when it asks for my domain name? Do I type dittohost.com?

Thanks for helping me out, I appreciate it.

 

[Shadow07]

Is this a production environment or a test lab? I need to know this before you continue.

 

[jsbush]

A production environment.

 

[CBuxton]

To run AD you MUST have a DNS server running, and it must support dynamic update. Concentrate on getting your 2k server w/AD installed and working right before you attempt to setup Exchange.

 

[Shadow07]

So, are you planning to upgrade to Windows 2000 and Active Directory? If you are not, I would strongly recommend that you take this machine off of the network and put it on it's own isolated network segment for testing.

What you want to do is run DCPROMO on the Windows 2000 server, when you are prompted to type in your domain name in DNS form, type in what you want it to be. When you get the error message of CANNOT CONTACT A DYNAMIC DNS COMPLIANT SERVER, click OK and then have DCPROMO install and configure DNS on your local machine. Before you do reboot your machine, you will have to go into the TCP/IP properties of your local LAN connection, and put in the IP address of your local machine in the DNS Primary and Secondary Server settings. Save this connection, then reboot. You will have AD installed correctly. You can then procede to install Exchange 5.5 and the Active Directory Connector.

If you need further help with this, PM me or post back.