Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 with SP1

2 Exchange, Windows, and the Active Directory

No server software operates in a vacuum. Exchange depends on a solid deployment of Windows to underpin the success of its own ecosystem. In this chapter, we review the essential interoperation between Exchange and Windows and the critical points where Exchange depends on Windows. In particular, we will look at how Exchange uses the Active Directory, how Active Directory replicates data, the role of domain controllers and Global Catalog servers, and how Exchange updates and extends the Active Directory for its own purposes.

2.1 Active Directory and Exchange

A good design and efficient operation of the Active Directory has been core to any deployment of Exchange ever since Exchange 2000. Exchange ...