Architecture and Back Office Group

This is Microsoft's messaging and enterprise collaboration server. Microsoft Exchange's primary role is an electronic mail message store but it is a lot more than that.

Exchange 2003 is the server side software which manages enterprise mail. Outlook is the client side software which connects to the Exchange server and opens the users mailbox.

Exchange supports various protocols and users have the ability to choose the protocol they would prefer when connecting to the exchange server MAPI, IMAP4, HTTPS protocols. For security reasons HTTP access to the Exchange server has been blocked. If uses want to access the Exchange server via HTTP they must go through the secure channel HTTPS. This has been done to meet the security guidelines of the UTD Security Office.

The Windows Group has setup Exchange Quota limits on user mailboxes. The quota limits were derived from data collected from many higher education institutions.The quota limits set high compared to other universities.

The need to archive data has generated a great demand for more storage space but the Windows Group does not consider an Exchange Mailbox as a location to archive mail or other data. The Help Desk and other UTD Techs are trained in helping the end user setup alternatives to archiving data in the Exchange Mailbox.

Outlook Web Access (OWA) for Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server provides users access to e-mail, personal calendars, group scheduling, contacts, and collaboration applications using a Web browser.

Outlook Web Access can be used for UNIX and Macintosh users, users without access to a Microsoft Outlook 2003 client, or users connecting from the Internet. Outlook Web Access offers cross-platform client access for roaming users, users with limited hardware resources, and users who do not have access to their own computers. We have Microsoft Network Load Balance service setup on our Exchange Front End Servers to provide redundant and scalable service.

Go to https://webmail.utdallas.edu to use Microsoft Exchange 2003 Outlook Web Access.

Exchange ActiveSync® in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 allows mobile devices such as a browser-enabled cell phones or Microsoft Windows Mobile® devices to access Exchange Server information. Exchange ActiveSync® is a data synchronization service that enables mobile users to access their e-mail, calendar, and contacts and retain access to this information while offline. All changes made on the mobile device are reflected in the live mailbox after synchronization with the desktop.

Mobile 5 is a mobile devices smartphone runing Microsoft Windows Mobile® 2003 Second Edition or Windows Mobile 5.0 and tend to have wireless access. There are two ways of accessing your e-mail. The first is through wireless access, launching your internet browser and logging to https://webmail.utdallas.edu. You can then send and receive e-mails live. The second method is purchasing a data plan from your cellular provider. With Direct Push Technology, you will have immediate delivery of data from the Exchange mailbox to your device. This includes e-mail, calander, contact, and task information.

BlackBerry® is a mobile device smartphone that allows you access your e-mail. You must purcahse a data plan from your cellular provider. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) provides a push-based access to your Exchange e-mail, calendar, contacts, tasks and notes. You will be able to send and receive e-mails live.

The Palm Treo™ is a mobile device smartphone that allows you to access your e-mail. There are two ways of accessing e-mail. The first is a direct connection allowing the e-mail client on your Treo™ to communicate directly to the Exchange Server. E-mail, calendar and contacts are pulled and pushed to your device. The second method is purchasing a data plan from your cellular provider. Good Mobile Messaging delivers your e-mail to your Treo™ as it arrive to your Exchange mailbox. You will have access to your e-mail, calendar and contacts. You can send and receive e-mails live.

In a local area network (LAN), Outlook communicates with Exchange server using direct network (TCP/IP) access, also known as RPC over TCP/IP. This method provides quick, efficient access to the Exchange server via the campus network.

However, remote users accessing Exchange need a VPN connection, which allow them past the campus firewall and onto the campus network.

Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 / Microsoft Outlook 2003 now offers a simpler alternative to VPN connections — RPC over HTTPS. RPC over HTTPS enables Outlook to connect to the Exchange server via HTTPS. The Outlook client connects to the Exchange Server via Secure Channel. This feature works from anywhere in the world as there is an internet access. Detailed instructions on configuring RPC over HTTPS.