Exchange & GPO 2

[rubbersoul69]

So we have just implemented a new 2003 Exchange Server in the office.
We were running SENDMAIL before. Terrible. Anyhow, my boss has just
come to me and asked if I could create a GPO which we could then
propogate to all of our end users. This GPO would need to change the
path of there current .PST file which is local to there drive. To a
network .PST file for Exchange purposes. Is this do-able? I've created
many GPO's but nothing to do with email. Thanks.

-Rod

 

[Spirit]

Why use PST files for the users?

If you store the mail locally in a pst file then you lose single instance storage. The same message sent to 5 people will be stored in 5 locations on the network / pc's, require to be backed up in five places and restored in five places instead of one!

If you're determined to store mail locally then use cached mode in outlook 2k3. That way it is stored on the PC and safely on the server!

Iain

 

[58sniper]

First, networked .pst files are not supported by Microsoft.

Second, .pst files shouldn't be used. They are bad. Evil.

Any mail worth storing needs to be in the Information Store.

Move the .pst files to the mail server and import them using Exmerge.

How to configure an account to use the ExMerge utility in Exchange 2000 Server and in Exchange Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292509

Still relevant - even with Exchange 2003:

http://www.swinc.com/resources/exch... 5.5&sectionID=1013&sectionName=Why PST = BAD

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[Spirit]

Great link I'll remember that one!

I agree tho with you but they should add

16. They are bad. Evil."

Made me chuckle.

Iain

 

[rubbersoul69]

OK...great answers guys. Well here is another problem of mine. Is there any utility out there that will help the migration of over 500 users to exchange? I just can't see myself having to go to each PC, open Outlook, click new mail account, add an exchange account and so on...and so on.....

-rod

 

[Marcs41]

One cheap utility is to write down detailed instructions and let the users do it!
Sorry, but when dealing with a crappy setup, sooner or later someone faces the consequences.

Marc
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}

 

[Spirit]

Marcs is right.

What I would do is;

Write a proceedure on moving the PST file to a standard location: C:\USernamemail\My.pst etc.

Change everyone to mapi and not use pop3 / delivery to the pst and leave the mail on the server.

This will require changing everyones profile. (its a really simple so again another wrtiten proceedure next next next servername / users name next next next.)
Include in this how to open the PST file when you log back into outlook.

Then get them just to move all the mail back into the Server inbox. Done PST's eradicated! Yeah!

And just get ready to explain it 120 times to 100 different people!

Iain

 

[rubbersoul69]

Anyone have a link on this procedure....your explanation (though appreciated) was a little vague. LOL

 

[rubbersoul69]

Can you tell me also what the advantage is of using mapi over pop3?

 

[Zelandakh]

MAPI leaves the emails on the server, no PST and no messing. POP3 is got a good plan for network bandwidth, pulls emails off the server and loses SIS.

As to the procedure of moving PST files to somewhere central it will depend on your set up.

 

[ShackDaddy]

MAPI is the same as configuring Outlook to point to the Exchange server. So, like you said earlier, you are going to be adding a new mailbox, choosing Exchange, putting in the servername and username, etc. When the users start using Outlook, they will have a MAPI mailbox on the server (Outlook Today) and they will have their old Personal Folder from the previous era. They then just need to move their mail (Select All in a particular folder) from the Personal Folder over to a subfolder in the Outlook Today/MAPI folder. That's essentially moving data off of their harddrive onto the server.

Give them a deadline of a week or so to get all their mail out of Personal Folder, and then you can send out a message telling them to click on the Personal Folder root folder and choose Close Folder from the context menu.

There's no special procedure really, you would just need to describe this process to the users in a way that even the dimmest bulb could understand.

ShackDaddy

 

[Spirit]

With pictures!

 

[Marcs41]

Anyone have a link on this procedure....your explanation (though appreciated) was a little vague. LOL

You already know the procedure, just write down how YOU dou it, but be specific and detailed as you will always have a few that don't understand...

Marc
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}