Exchange 2007 Server Roles

To learn and know-more about Exchange 2007, knowing the role is important. This section, we would like to share the role available:

Edge Transport Role
The Edge Transport server role is deployed in DMZ as a stand-alone server. Short word, SMTP server which we used to use. It is not required to be a domain member, the Edge Transport server handles all Internet-facing mail flow, like we mentioned ealier, SMTP and smart host services for the Exchange organization, no more IIS or thrid party apps for smart host. Edge Transport Role, with Forefront, provide protection against viruses and spam, apply transport rules to control message flow, and provide connection security. Mentioned in previous section, you can have rules here.

Hub Transport Role
Deployed inside the Active Directory forest, or in the LAN normally, the Hub Transport server role handles all mail flow inside the organization, applies transport rules, applies journaling policies, and delivers messages to a recipient's mailbox. Likewise, mails that flow to Internet will pass to the Edge Transport Server. If think that you are not going to deploy Edge Transport server, then configure the Hub Transport server to relay Internet messages directly.

Client Access Role
The Client Access server role accepts connections to exchange server from a variety of different clients. This include outlook, other mail client as well as mobile devices.

Mailbox Role
The Mailbox server role hosts mailbox databases, which contain users' mailboxes and public folders (If you choose that you still have pre Outlook 2007 client during installation, only public folder database created). It allows mailbox access through MAPI and handles core messaging functions. Besides, Mailbox server role improves the information worker experience by providing richer calendaring functionality, resource management, and offline address book downloads.

Unified Messaging Role
The Unified Messaging server role enables users to access their voice mail, e-mail, fax messages, and calendar information that is located in their Exchange Inbox. Unified Messaging combines voice messaging, fax, and e-mail into one Inbox, which can be accessed from the telephone and the computer. Unified Messaging integrates Exchange Server 2007 with the telephony network. We yet to find which telephony network or PABX that support UM.

Till then,

Happy reading.