Seven mail servers tested

		Contents Introduction Basic Mail Server Security IBM Domino Ipswitch iMail Server Kerio MailServer Microsoft Exchange Novell Groupwise Sendmail SuSE Linux OpenExchange Specifications What to look for Sample scenarios Editor's choice About RMIT

Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition

Microsoft Exchange is probably the most commonly used mail server in enterprises. We would've used Exchange servers on an almost daily basis over the last 12 months in test rigs for various projects. Exchange 2003 builds incrementally on the previous version, and has a greatly improved mobile device support list.

The Exchange application configuration, management and monitoring is via a management console. This console is very straight forward to navigate and administrators can quickly find the particular options they are looking for. More monitoring tools would be a nice addition in the future, particularly real time tools.

While Microsoft have placed an ever growing emphasis on information technology security over the last 12 months. To really reap the benefits of true security without having to spend hour upon hour tweaking, disabling, and reconfiguring processes, services, and applications it is best to begin migrating to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 at the same time as making the move to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 -- this is not to say you can relax your guard as there are still a few advisable security tweaks and precautions one needs to take care of but they are just a lot less and a lot more straightforward.

Microsoft has finally realised it is not worthwhile trying to ship a product that tries to be everything to everyone with all bells and whistles running and open from the initial install, instead it leaves it up to the owner to install and start only the components they need the machine to handle... mostly.

Overall, a wise step forward for Microsoft and slightly better to manage and maintain mail server than previous incarnations. Added mobile device and remote mail support may be advantages to some enterprises.

Product Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition Price AU$12,181.00 incl GST (25 clients) Vendor Microsoft Australia Phone 13 20 58 Web www.microsoft.com/exchange/   Interoperability Windows server environments only. Futureproofing Extremely scalable and customisable. ROI ½ Very expensive. Service E-mail support is included. One-off incident telephone support is cheaper than most. Premium support is available via subscription. Rating ½

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