Exchange Server Questions

[19902003]

Hi

Can anyone please tell me how can I tell if my Exchange is FrontEnd or not( I did look at the server property and the FE was not enable)? I know that I have exchange 2003 server running on win 2003 server and one of the connector as the smtp. What would be the best practice of the exchange server envirnment?

Many thanks,

Steve

 

[jpm121]

If you don't have more than one Exchange server then it's neither front or back end.

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

The basic idea of the Front-End and Back-End server topology is to offer access to your exchange environment from outside your company, such as OWA via the Internet. You place your Font-End server on the net so your back-end is not hanging out (Pun intended).
A Front-End server runs exchange but does not host mailboxes or public folders. A front-end server forwards client request to the back-end server. The back-end of course is your server running exchange that maintains at least one mailbox or public folder.

The bottom line is the front-end server adds a layer of security.