XADM: Exchange Admin Support Boundaries

ID: Q239645

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.5

SUMMARY

This article describes the support boundaries for the BackOffice Support Exchange Admin (XADM) specialty group.

The components within the Exchange Admin specialty group are as follows:

  • Server and service pack setup
  • General Exchange Administrator UI
  • Directory
  • Directory replication - inter and intra-site
  • Private and public information stores
  • Disaster recovery
  • LDAP
  • Exchange Server performance
  • Security and Key Manager Server
  • Move Server wizard
  • Exchange Server-related resource kit utilities
  • MS Cluster Server support (MSCS)


MORE INFORMATION

Server and Service Pack Setup

Exchange XADM support professionals support the installation of Exchange Server components and the application of Exchange Server service packs. Installation of specific components that are not included in the basic Exchange Server Setup are supported by their respective specialty groups. Installation of Outlook Web Access (OWA) is supported by the Exchange XCLN specialty group. Installation of Exchange Server connectors is supported by the Exchange XCON/XFOR specialty group. Installation of the Event Service is supported by the XADM specialty, however, configuration and usage of the service with event scripting is supported by the XCLN specialty group.

General Exchange Administrator UI

Exchange XADM support professionals support basic Exchange Server Administrator program functionality and configuration including: server/link monitors, import/export, Move Mailbox, message tracking, and Clean Mailbox. Configuration of connectors is supported by the Exchange XCON/XFOR specialty group.

Directory

Exchange XADM support professionals support basic Directory service functionality and configuration. This includes the directory schema, directory permissions, search control, Address Book views, and directory import/export.

Directory Replication - Inter and Intra-site

Exchange XADM support professionals support the configuration and functionality of Exchange Server directory replication. For inter-site replication that involves mail flow over a connector, the XFOR/XCON specialty group supports the basic functionality of the connector.

Private and Public Information Stores

Exchange XADM support professionals support troubleshooting the performance of the Exchange Private Information Store service and database, which includes the section on disaster recovery and the section on performance. It also includes mailbox storage limits, message limits set per mailbox, message flow between two or more mailboxes on the local store, deleted item retention, and Clean Mailbox. Problems with POP3 and IMAP4 access to mailboxes are supported by the Exchange XFOR/XCON specialty group. Problems with MAPI/RPC client access (connectivity) and OWA access to mailboxes are supported by the Exchange XCLN specialty group.

Exchange XADM support professionals support troubleshooting the performance of the Exchange Server public information store database including the ability to create and access public folders with clients, generate and access Offline Address Books, populate and access the Schedule+ Free/Busy folder, and create and access Organization Forms. This also includes age limits, storage limits, and deleted item retention on public and system folders. Creating custom forms, using sample forms, or adding forms to the Organization Forms library is supported by the Exchange XCLN specialty group. Setup of NNTP (Internet Newsgroups) and troubleshooting NNTP is supported by the Exchange XFOR/XCON specialty group.

Exchange XADM support professionals support troubleshooting problems with public or system folder replication in an Exchange Server organization. In addition, Exchange XADM support professionals support the setup and operation of the Exchange InterOrg Public Folder Replication tool included in Exchange Server 5.5 Service Pack 2.

Disaster Recovery

Exchange XADM support professionals support disaster recovery of the Exchange Server directory and information store. This includes getting the Exchange Directory service and Information Store service running if they are down, and recovering customers' Exchange Server directory information, e-mail, and public folder information. This also includes troubleshooting problems with the database utilities (Isinteg.exe, Edbutil.exe, Eseutil.exe) and issues where these utilities might be used: database integrity, corruption, and inconsistency.

This also includes troubleshooting problems with backup or restore of Exchange Server using the Exchange Server-aware component of NTBackup. If the backup software used is a third-party solution, XADM support professionals are responsible for troubleshooting to determine that the problem is directly related to the backup software. If so, the support professional should refer the customer to the software manufacturer for further assistance.

LDAP

Exchange XADM support professionals support problems using LDAP to access the Exchange Server directory.

XADM is not responsible for programming LDAP clients or writing ADSI providers to access the Exchange Server directory. This is handled by the DSE Messaging Support Professionals.

Exchange Server Performance

Exchange XADM support professionals are responsible for supporting performance tuning and monitoring of all Exchange Server versions. Performance tuning consists of database and log file optimization and maintenance as well as performance optimizer tuning. Performance monitoring support consists of using the Performance Monitor utility to track Exchange Server counters to isolate performance bottlenecks and aid in performance tuning. Exchange XADM support professionals also troubleshoot issues regarding Dr. Watson in the XADM components: Mad.exe, Admin.exe, Store.exe, and Dsamain.exe.

Security and Key Manager Server

Exchange XADM support professionals support the Key Manager Server (KMS). Support for KMS includes the installation of KMS, key enrollment, and KMS database maintenance. It also includes troubleshooting KMS connectivity with Microsoft Certificate Server.

Move Server Wizard

Exchange XADM support professionals support the installation and operation of the Move Server wizard.

Exchange Server-related Resource Kit Utilities

Exchange XADM support professionals support the installation and operation of the Exchange Server-related utilities on the BackOffice Resource Kit that are not related to XFOR/XCON or XCLN. These utilities include: the Mailbox Cleanup Agent, InterOrg Synchronization tool, Bulk Advanced Security tool, Mailbox Statistics, Event Log tools, and Import Header tool.

NOTE: Microsoft Product Support makes commercially reasonable efforts in supporting Resource Kit utilities.

MS Cluster Server Support (MSCS)

Exchange XADM support professionals support the installation of Exchange Server 5.5 and later on Microsoft Cluster Server. Exchange XADM support professionals also support the operation of all Exchange XADM components on Microsoft Cluster Server. Setup and operation of Exchange Server 4.0 or 5.0 is not supported on Microsoft Cluster Server.

Additional query words: MCA

Keywords : exc4 exc5 exc55
Version : winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo


Last Reviewed: January 19, 2000
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