Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5

Rating:
Summary: not for beginners
Review: Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 is - as it says- written by their consultants. The book therefore deals with large scale deployment issues - the sort of thing they would get sent to, as well as reading a bit like edited highlights from Technet. Indeed some of the sections can be found published separately on the standard Microsoft forums that their consultants provide input for. Single server sites with no external connectivity may find a lot of content superfluous. The detail on how to project manage an Exchange rollout, from scaling servers, to the merits of different connectors to performance issues, is very useful: the huge section on migrating Lotus Notes less so. There is a chapter devoted to describing the rollout out documentation that needs to be created in a large enterprise, although no MS Project template on the accompanying CD which would have been particularly useful. The book is still very useful if you are looking for a check list approach to putting in and maintaining Exchange. The discussion of the different possible clients, and in particular Outlook Web Access (OWA) gives an insight into how Microsoft are directing their client server messaging effort. And is well worth taking the effort to fully understand.

The book - as it correctly states - is not intended for someone still picking up the basics or studying for the exam. If you are a Systems Architect , IT/ project manager, or someone working at a strategic or trouble shooting level in a multi server environment, then it is definitely worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: not for beginners
Review: Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 is - as it says- written by their consultants. The book therefore deals with large scale deployment issues - the sort of thing they would get sent to, as well as reading a bit like edited highlights from Technet. Indeed some of the sections can be found published separately on the standard Microsoft forums that their consultants provide input for. Single server sites with no external connectivity may find a lot of content superfluous. The detail on how to project manage an Exchange rollout, from scaling servers, to the merits of different connectors to performance issues, is very useful: the huge section on migrating Lotus Notes less so. There is a chapter devoted to describing the rollout out documentation that needs to be created in a large enterprise, although no MS Project template on the accompanying CD which would have been particularly useful. The book is still very useful if you are looking for a check list approach to putting in and maintaining Exchange. The discussion of the different possible clients, and in particular Outlook Web Access (OWA) gives an insight into how Microsoft are directing their client server messaging effort. And is well worth taking the effort to fully understand.

The book - as it correctly states - is not intended for someone still picking up the basics or studying for the exam. If you are a Systems Architect , IT/ project manager, or someone working at a strategic or trouble shooting level in a multi server environment, then it is definitely worth reading.