Exchange 2000 Overview
Exchange 2000 Server is Microsoft's enterprise messaging and collaboration platform. Built on Windows 2000 and Active Directory, it provides email, calendaring, contacts, and public folders.
Key Features
- Active Directory Integration: Exchange 2000 stores recipient information directly in AD, eliminating the separate Exchange directory used in 5.5.
- Web Storage System: A unified store accessible via MAPI, HTTP/WebDAV, IMAP4, POP3, and NNTP.
- Outlook Web Access (OWA): Browser-based email using IIS and ASP. OWA 2000 provides a rich UI with drag-and-drop and right-click menus.
- Instant Messaging: Built-in IM service based on the RVP (Rendezvous Protocol).
- Conferencing Server: Audio/video conferencing and application sharing via T.120 and H.323.
- Routing Groups: Replaced Exchange 5.5 sites for message routing. Connectors link routing groups.
- Administrative Groups: Logical groupings of Exchange servers for delegated administration.
Architecture
Exchange 2000 consists of several key components:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Information Store (store.exe) | Manages mailbox and public folder databases (EDB + STM files) |
| System Attendant (mad.exe) | Maintenance tasks, DSAccess, RUS, message tracking |
| SMTP Service | Message transport: Exchange extends the IIS SMTP service with custom event sinks |
| Routing Engine | Determines message routing between routing groups and connectors |
| DSAccess | Caches AD lookups for Exchange components |
Editions
- Exchange 2000 Server: Up to 1 storage group, 1 database per group, 16 GB database limit.
- Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server: Up to 4 storage groups, 5 databases per group, no practical size limit. Supports clustering.