What is Microsoft Exchange Server?

The Microsoft Exchange Server is the most popular email based messaging server. The hidden reason behind all the fabulous performance of Microsoft Outlook email client is the Exchange Servers.

History: -

MS Exchange Server was the very first time developed in 1993. Its birth took place when XENIX system was changed into Exchange Server. The next version of Exchange Server was released in the year 1997. This version was called as Exchange Server 5.0. After this, with the improvement and the advancement of technology, many new versions came in the market and each version was better than its predecessor. These versions included 2000, 2003, 2007 and 2010.

Role of MS Exchange Servers: -

In today’s IT era, Microsoft Exchange Server plays two vital roles: -

• It allows users to share information using either Microsoft Outlook email client or Outlook web access.

• It is compatible with IMAP, POP and web based email clients.

Features of MS Exchange Server: -

• Search option: - You can search for any relevant information in your inbox. This search can be refined using either keywords or phrases.

• Better Assistant: - Exchange Server is the best messaging server. It has various useful features such as scheduling messages by fixing their start and endpoints.

• High Level Security: - Exchange Server protects its users from all security threats such as viruses, spams and hackers.

• Additional Features: - Exchange Server is enabled with bundles of additional features voice mail storage, calendar, contact, etc. 

Exchange Server and OST File: -

When Microsoft Outlook works in the environment of MS Exchange Server, then a duplicate copy of all the data on the mailbox is created in Offline Folders. These offline folders are known as OST files. OST is an acronym for Offline Storage Table. These OST files can be used to work offline. At later stage, when the system is again connected to the server, all the data of these OST files get synchronized. OST files store email messages, contacts, calendar items, tasks, etc.

OST files are very much prone to file corruption. The reasons may be application malfunction, viruses, etc. Also, users may need to open and view the contents of these OST files without Outlook and Exchange Server. In such cases Free OST File Viewer standalone tool plays a key role in fetching the data from OST files. This software is a product of Free File Viewers.

Creating an Email Service Account for Exchange Server 2013: -

Note: -

•  Database name is the name of the Exchange Server.
• CUDASVC is the name of Barracuda service account.

For creating an email service account, follow the below mentioned steps: -

• Log in to the Exchange Server as the administrator.

• Click on Start menu.

• Go to Start > Programs > Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 > Exchange Management Shell.

• At command prompt enter the below mentioned command and press enter: -

Get-MailboxDatabase | Add-ADPermission -User "CUDASVC" -AccessRights ExtendedRight -ExtendedRights Receive-As, ms-Exch-Store-Admin
Add-RoleGroupMember "Organization Management" -Member "CUDASVC"