Email service is the prime source of information propagation in both ‘one-to-one’ and ‘one-to-many’ modes. It seems quite simple and quick to send and receive email messages sitting at the user end. However, it is not as simple as it seems or sounds. In fact, the email server on the backend stores and manages the overall information. Microsoft Exchange Server is the most popular email server, which most companies across the world prefer using for email exchange within as well as outside the network domain.
Exchange Server with time, customers’ feedbacks and demands has grown very advanced today. It stores and manages the overall information of user mailbox, including email messages, contacts, calendar, notes, tasks, and more in a secure manner. Since Exchange Server 2013 has already been released, companies are upgrading to this version to achieve the features they have been waiting for. You might also have a number of reasons to upgrade to the latest version of Exchange. However, if you do not, let me give you many.
Why to upgrade to Exchange 2013
In addition, to the official releases of both Windows 8 and its successor Windows 8.1, Microsoft has been continuously involved in making its Exchange Server 2013 better. In this regard, the company at certain intervals releases different updates for its features, which get their origin from customers’ feedback emails. Based on those emails demanding fixes and upgrades in features, I bring you the grounds for upgrade to Exchange 2013.
OWA (Outlook Web Access) Augmentation
MS Outlook is the best, and therefore the most preferred email client in corporate for desktop users. To meet the requirements, such as mailbox access from remote computers, a laptop, a smartphone, or any other mobile device, Exchange Server access is also available through OWA (Outlook Web Access). .
From the introductory release of OWA, Microsoft has been continuously involved in giving its online emailing interface a look and feel of its Outlook desktop client. We must agree that the company really has provided a feature-comparable emailing alternative to its consumers. In fact, on comparing the current interface and functionality of OWA with prior ones, you can actually figure out the difference. Now, OWA has been pre-defined for desktops, smartphones, tablets, and other on the go devices.
Exchange Administration Center (EAC)
When you come across the term ‘Server’, some administration tasks must be there and therefore, an administrator as well. Exchange 2013 brings a brand new Exchange Administration Center (EAC) along with the central management control, which helps the administrators streamlining the Exchange management tasks. .
In prior versions, the relationship of Exchange administrators with the Exchange Management Console (EMC) was like a typical ‘love-hate’ relationship.
Improved Security + Data Loss Prevention
Since the administrator manages the Exchange Server data and other associated operations, it is his duty to provide secure information exchange environment over emails. When it comes to keeping the mailbox of each client secure, the administrator must be expert and able to handle exceptions arising in the mean time. Exchange 2013 a bit minimizes the headache of the administrator, as it implements inbuilt security mechanism to keep users’ mailboxes secure.
How to upgrade to Exchange 2013
If it is feasible to attain high security, then I do not think you need to wait. Track the steps for Exchange Server upgradation as mentioned below:
Installing and Verifying Exchange 2013
- Go to the network of Exchange 2013 installation files and run the Setup.exe as administrator when UAC (User Access Control) is enabled.
- Choose Connect to the Internet and check for updates and click Next.
- Click Next on the Introduction page.
- Accept the License Agreement and click Next.
- In Recommended settings, choose Use Recommended Settings.
- On the Server Role Selection page, choose the Mailbox role and Client Access role.
- Select ‘Automatically install Windows Server….’, and then click Next.
- On the Installation Space and Location, select a location or proceed with default location to install, and then click Next.
- On the Malware Protection Settings page, enable malware scanning and click Next.
- On the Readiness Check page, with readiness checks successfully completed, click Install.
- Click Finish to completion, and then restarts the computer.
To figure out if the Exchange Server 2013 has been installed successfully, run Get-Exchange Server cmdlet in the Exchange Management Shell.
Adding Digital Certificates on the Client Access Server
1. Exchange 2013 Client Access Server Configuration
- Configuring Server Certificates: Request a digital certificate from a Certification Authority using the certificate wizard, and then install it on the Client Access Server.
- Configuring Virtual Directories: Exchange Server 2013 lets you configure a number of virtual directories, including Exchange Web Services, Exchange Active Sync, and more.
- Upgrading from Exchange 2007 and 2010 Client Access: Configure external access to protocols on the Exchange 2013 Client Access server.
- Configure protocols on the Exchange 2007 Client Access server: Configure external URL on the Exchange Active Sync virtual directories.
2. Digital Certificates and SSL: This step secures the communication between client and server.
- Digital Certificates: Electronic files that scan and verify the identity of a user or a computer.
3. Requesting Digital Certificate:
- Under this step, you have to manage certificates using the Shell or the EAC.
Configuring Virtual Directories related to Exchange
Exchange Server 2013 is capable of configuring several IIS virtual directories throughout its installation. Moreover, this step makes you aware of default settings for both IIS authentication and SSL at client access as well as mailbox servers.
Moving mailboxes to Exchange 2013
This step involves migrating mailbox database from Source to Target, where both Source and Target computers that can be on the same or a different server. For this, Exchange 2013 provides two concepts – batch moves and migration endpoint.
Configuring Transport Components
1. Mail Routing: Exchange Server 2013 provides Transportation service on all its Mailbox servers, which routs emails to their predefined destination.
2. Shadow Redundancy: This service provides all redundant messages before they are delivered to the intended mailboxes.
3. Delivery Reports for Administrators: With this service, you can track if the email message sent to a particular user or organization is delivered or not.
Configuring and Deploying UM
Planning for Unified Messaging: This step makes you understand each element of unified messaging, such as ‘Planning voice mail system’, ‘Planning UM deployment’, and ‘Correcting telephony network’.
Deploying Voice Mail and UM: The UM (Unified Messaging) service enables you to let users in the organization avail voice mail service.
With this, you are done migrating from Exchange Server 2010 to Exchange Server 2013.
About Author: Eric Simson is working as a Technical Content Writer with Stellar Information Technology Pvt Ltd, which is a world leader in hard disk data recovery, data backup, password recovery, file repair and various email repair tools such as exchange server recovery, lotus notes recovery, zarafa database recovery and many more tools for migration.
