Exchange Newbie

[david902]

Hi all,

I've been put into a new position where there is an exchange server without an exchange administrator.

I'd like to show management initiative by starting to learn Exchange 5.5.

What I need from you are two things.

1. links/plans/ideas of things I need to do on the exchange server, such as daily/weekly administration tasks to make sure the servers are running. Preventive tasks to make sure exchange will continue to run while I catch up on my reading

The servers have been running for at least 3 months without user intervention (other than adding new users)

2. links to web sites that will aid in my learning of Microsoft Exchange.

Thanks for your patience.

 

[Zelandakh]

Exchange takes care of itself.

Make sure it is backing up properly every night. Full backups, none of this incremental rubbish.

Do a test restore on another server (beware - Exchange restores will restore over the live database so you need to have an identical server off the network and restore locally on that). Read up on "clean mailbox" which is under the tools menu - keeps things clean.

Check your hard disks once a week for space.

Go on the short course on administering the server. Or buy the Certification Inside "On Site Exchange Server 5.5" from Turlington Schuler.

 

[aliciaJ]

Welcome to exchange administration! I'm relativly new myself. I inheirted a medium size exchange organization in Dec. 2000 and I went to my local Barnes and Noble store and got this book:
"Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 - Quick steps for fast results - get the skills you need in just 10 minutes"
It's by Patrick Grote and in the series "SAMS Teach Yourself" published by SAMS Publishing, a division of Macmillan Computer Publishing.
It's only about 300 pages and a smaller-sized paperback book - not so intimidating as the huge reference books when you're wanting to dive in and read every word but wouldn't know where to start in a bigger book on limited time.
Obviously it doesn't tell you everything you need to know, nor is it very helpful in troubleshooting - but it did a great job of giving me an overview of what Exchange can do and the general steps of how to accomplish tasks. For troubleshooting, you'll probably want a bigger "reference" book with a good index. But the smaller one was great for getting me started.
Additionally, don't be afraid to browse around all the objects in your exchange admin application. 2x click open the properties of any/all of your objects (user mailboxes, servers, connectors, etc) and click around on the tabs. At the bottom there is a HELP button which will give you more details about what you're looking at. Just remember to click CANCEL when you're done w/ that window - so you don't accidently break something you won't yet know how to un-break!
Also - this forum is the BEST I've found for asking Q's. I've almost stopped posting to any others, cause the info here is prompt and usually pretty good. However, as always, when you get suggestions of "how to" fix something from one of these fourms, you need to make sure you either test it yourself on a TEST server or really research it. People who post here are just people - like you and me. Their suggestions are just that - suggestions - not proven answers from Microsoft. I've not been steered wrong by people here - but caution is always advised since it'll be YOUR job on the line, not theirs.
Good luck to ya! You'll be fine!
aliciaJ