Microsoft Exchange Terms and Definitions

Some of the important terms and definitions of Microsoft Exchange Server are listed below:

Access Control List: Provides security protection to objects or certain properties of the object. There are two types of ACL, which are System and Discretionary.

Domain Name System (DNS): It is a hierarchical database containing mappings of DNS domain names to different types of data, like IP addresses. DNS also helps to locate computers and services by user-friendly names.

Exchange ActiveSync: A Microsoft synchronization program which helps to manage information such as e-mails and application files between a desktop and a handheld PC.

Front-End/Back-End Architecture: It facilitates single point of contact for all data pertaining to Exchange. Clients can access a bank of protocol servers (Front–End) for information. The servers then communicate with data stores on separate servers (Back-End) to fetch physical data.

The Global Address List (GAL): This is a list containing an organization’s Exchange groups, users, contacts, and public folders. It is available through Outlook or Outlook Web Access

Globally Unique Identifier (GUID): It is used to identify a specific device or component by generating a unique 16-byte identifier for that device. In Exchange, the GUID for every mailbox is generated by the Recipient Update Service.

Personal Address Book (PAB): A customizable address list that has a .pab extension which can be copied to a disk without any hassle. A user can create or edit entries or transfer entries from another address list.

Internet Information Services (IIS): Used for building server-based applications and also for publishing on the internet as well as the intranet.

Outlook Mobile Access (OMA): Provides a fundamental web interface for users of smart-phones and mobiles with simple web browsers.

Outlook Web Access (OWA): Used for accessing e-mail, personal calendars, group scheduling, contacts, and collaboration applications through a web browser.

Volume Shadow Copy Service: The service provides quick back-up and restores functionality. This service is implemented by the Windows Server with the support of Exchange Server, allowing a mirror copy of the database to be always available.

X.400 connector: It is usually configured to connect Exchange’s routing groups. This exchange component is integrated with the MTA or the Message Transfer Agent.

Personal Storage Table (.pst) files: These files are often used for storing local copies of items such as messages and calendar events in Microsoft Exchange Client. The major drawback of .pst files is that they tend to get fragile when their size increases, leading to corruption of the files. Additionally, PST files are not that secure, and with the right tools, anyone who has access to them can open them. Another shortcoming is that .pst files cannot be cleaned up after virus infestations.


External Links:

Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

Microsoft Exchange Server Overview

Microsoft Exchange Server Resources

Microsoft Exchange Server Training

Microsoft Exchange Server Hosting Service

Microsoft Exchange Server Solutions

Microsoft Exchange Server Documentation

Microsoft Exchange Server Resource Kit

Microsoft Exchange Server White Papers

Microsoft Exchange Server Add-ons

More Microsoft Exchange Server Add-ons

Anti-Virus for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

Adobe Integration for Microsoft Exchange Server

Remote Connectivity analyzer Microsoft Exchange Server

Purchase Microsoft Exchange Server

Setting up Microsoft Exchange Server

more articles | server disaster recovery