INFO: MSMQ Is Not an E-mail Product Competing with Exchange Server

• Microsoft Message Queue Server version 1.0

SUMMARY

The word "message" in "Microsoft Message Queue Server" (MSMQ) suggests that the product is oriented toward e-mail "messages." Also, the product description and overview at http://www.microsoft.com/msmq/ use the word "messages" frequently, and offer analogies to e-mail systems to explain how the product works. This has led to the frequently asked question, "Is MSMQ an e-mail product that competes with Microsoft Exchange Server?"

The answer is No.

MORE INFORMATION

MSMQ is a development tool that includes a store and forward protocol model to be used for developing messaging applications. Exchange Server is a messaging application that enables message interaction between people. MSMQ is not an e-mail server positioned to compete with any of the existing Microsoft e-mail solutions. These e-mail solutions can be used for complementary solutions targeted at different communication needs. For example, Exchange Server moves electronic letters between Exchange Server users, using a postoffice and mail folders. MSMQ moves data messages between applications, using a system of store-and-forward queues. MSMQ complements Exchange Server, Microsoft Messaging, and MAPI clients by interoperating with them, allowing the different clients to communicate.

The remainder of this article compares key similarities and differences between MSMQ and e-mail in general.

Key Similarities with E-mail

• Asynchronous: Clients of both technologies need not be present (or running) for a message to be sent to them. Messages are stored until the recipient is available, then forwarded to them.



• Addressing: Both types of messages indicate the address of sender and receiver.

Key Differences with E-mail

• Application-to-application: The MSMQ client is an MSMQ application, whereas an e-mail client is generally a person.



• The message body is data: The MSMQ message body is data, typically understood only by the applications that process the message. An e-mail message body is generally an electronic letter, understood by any person who reads it.



• Connectionless: The MSMQ application does not need to be online to send messages. E-mail clients typically need a connection to their server or postoffice to send e-mail.



• Simple, small and fast: MSMQ is optimized to provide the throughput required by enterprise applications.



• Stronger guarantees than e-mail: MSMQ provides prioritized, guaranteed delivery and acknowledgments.



• More delivery options: MSMQ provides options for express, disk based, and transactional delivery.

Complementary Functionality

REFERENCES

For more information, search for Microsoft Message Queue Server at:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/support

Additional query words: MQ email client human being man mail

Keywords : kbusage MQGen
Version : winnt:1.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo