In addition to the features that are discussed in this guide, other important enhancements and new features are included in version 5.5 of Microsoft Exchange Server. You can find additional information about these features in your Microsoft Exchange Server documentation.
Updated database structure for the information store and directory Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5 uses an updated database that provides significantly larger data storage capabilities than earlier versions of Microsoft Exchange Server. Because of the new database structure, the information store is limited only by your system's hardware capacity. This allows Microsoft Exchange Server to take full advantage of advanced hardware (today and in the future) and to scale up as the needs of your organization grow.
Ability to retrieve deleted items from mailboxes and public folders After the administrator sets the deleted item retention period for an information store, mailbox, or public folder, users can retrieve deleted items by using the Recover Deleted Items command in Microsoft Outlook version 8.03 or later. This much-requested feature can be run by users themselves, with no need for administrator action or intervention.
Internet enhancements Microsoft Exchange Server includes many features and enhancements designed to support Internet standards, including:
Microsoft Cluster Server Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5 supports Microsoft Cluster Server, which is included with Microsoft Windows® NT® Server. Microsoft Cluster Server provides fault tolerance in the event of hardware and software malfunctions. It ensures that mail delivery is never interrupted if a Microsoft Exchange Server computer fails. Microsoft Cluster Server must be installed on the Microsoft Exchange Server computer to enable support for clustering.
Microsoft Exchange Scripting You can install Microsoft Exchange Event Service to support the customized public-folder workflow applications you develop. For example, you can develop an application that performs an action when a specified event occurs in a public folder.
Connectivity to Lotus Notes and host systems Microsoft Exchange Server now includes the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes, the Microsoft Exchange Connector for IBM OfficeVision/VM, and the Microsoft Exchange Connector for SNADS. By enabling users from other systems to exchange messages with Microsoft Exchange Server users, these connectors allow Microsoft Exchange Server to coexist in a heterogeneous messaging environment. In addition, the Lotus cc:Mail source extractor supports Lotus cc:Mail version 5.x (DB6), version 6.0, and version 8.0 (DB8), allowing you to migrate from Lotus cc:Mail to Microsoft Exchange Server.
Container level search control You can restrict users' access to Address Book views. For example, if you are hosting multiple companies on a single Microsoft Exchange Server computer, you can prevent users of one company from viewing the Address Book views of another company.
Support for multiple and differential offline Address Books Users can download differential entries in offline Address Books, so that only the changes made since the last download are downloaded. This feature can significantly reduce overall download time for most large Address Books because they go through relatively small changes over a short period of time.
Advanced security You can set multiple password policies to prevent administrators from making changes to the Key Management (KM) server without authorization from one or more other administrators. Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5 also supports trusted messages between organizations, allowing users to verify the source of messages sent from another organization. For example, users in different Microsoft Exchange Server organizations can send and receive digitally signed messages, even across the Internet.
Microsoft Exchange Chat Service Microsoft Exchange Server now includes chat services that enable users to interact with each other online in real time.
SNMP Madman MIB Microsoft Exchange Server supports the Mail and Directory Management Information Base (MADMAN MIB) for use with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) monitoring agents.
Address space and routing enhancements Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5 gives you more control over message routing. The Address Space property page on connectors has been enhanced to enable scoping restrictions for each address space you specify. Each address space can be configured so that the connector routes messages that originate:
In addition, each MTA can be configured to use only the least-cost routes to deliver mail. This means that if the least-cost route is not accessible, messages are returned with a non-delivery report (NDR). These features can help you optimize message delivery, perform load balancing, and control costs.