Exchange 2000 Overview
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.