New Server Roles in Exchange Server 2007
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 allows you to upgrade and deploy your system in a more simple and cost-efficient manner. Modular setup based on server roles, combined with smart default settings during installation, streamlines the deployment and configuration process.
Server roles allow administrators to deploy only the features and services necessary on a given server to support business goals and needs. This minimizes manual activities for the administrator, reduces the time required for installation, and limits the attack surface for increased security.
The server role architecture in Exchange Server 2007 provides the flexibility to install multiple server roles on a single server, allowing you to create a topology to fit your unique business needs.
The five server roles are:
| • | Mailbox Server Hosts mailboxes, public folders, and core services, including calendaring. Continuous Replication functionality for higher availability as well as increased storage capacity are just some of the new features that reside in this server role. |
| • | Client Access Provides Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access and mobility connectivity as well as Web services. |
| • | Hub Transport Provides internal message routing and encryption. With all messages flowing through the Hub Transport, a new policy engine on this server role can enforce compliance rules as well as provide granular journaling. |
| • | Unified Messaging Integrates with the Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems for voice mail, fax receiving, and voice access services. |
| • | Edge Transport Deployed in the perimeter network, or DMZ, this is the only server role that cannot reside on the same server as the other roles. Acting as an SMTP gateway, the Edge Transport provides antivirus, antispam, and messaging security services. |
Whether you are deploying into a single server environment or scaling out to a more complex topology, grouping the Exchange services into distinct server roles makes it easier to manage and maintain your environment.
The Exchange Management Console is designed around the server role architecture, making it easy for you to complete custom configuration post deployment as well as quickly find tasks to manage server role properties.
Designing, deploying, scaling, configuring, and maintaining Exchange Server 2007 all benefit from the flexibility of the modular server role architecture. To see how Microsoft IT (MSIT) has deployed and maximized the benefits of the Exchange Server 2007 server role architecture, visit How Microsoft Does IT on TechNet.
