Properties dependent upon where created

[tim55]

I am going to use Distribution groups as an example, but I think there is a general principal involved which I have not yet worked out.

In Server Management, Standard Management, Users I will see all the user accounts that have been created, all of which were created using the Add a User wizard.

If I go into Server Management, Standard Management, Distribution Groups then I will see ALL the distribution groups that have been created, including the default CompanyLtd, not all of which were created the same way, as I will mention below.

If I now go into Active Directory Users and Computers, CompanyLtd.local, MyBusiness, Users then SBSUsers, then I will see all the user accounts and ONLY those distribution groups that were created by selecting Action|New|Group at this point. In doing this, I did not tick the Create an Exchange e-mail address.

However, if I go into Active Directory Users and Computers, CompanyLtd.local, MyBusiness, Distribution Groups, then I will see ONLY the distribution groups which were created using the Add a Distribution Group wizard.

As far as I can see, the properties of each distribution group, regardless of wherether it was created using the wizard or not, are basically identical EXCEPT that the wizard created ones have their Group scope as Universal and the other ones have their Group scope as Global.

The other thing I have noticed is that only the wizard created groups, and thus universal in scope, are in the public folders list in users Outlook 2003.

If I open the properties for any group, I can change the Group scope, but it does not appear to make them visible in public folders.

Can anyone give me brief explanation on why the difference in the distribution groups, depending upon where they are created?

Many thanks.

 

[58sniper]

Sure - SBS does it the right way.

You should ALWAYS use the wizards in SBS. There are many reasons why, including making sure things are in the right OUs, making sure the right scripts and policies are applied, etc.

The wizards try to take into considerations common issues.

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

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

 

[tim55]

Thanks 58sniper. I must admit, everywhere you look, there is similar advice on always using the wizards and I certainly had hours of problems with creating shares until I made sure they were always done via the wizard.

However, it does raise a point. Why?

I use 2003SBS more than 2003 server, but as far as I can recall, I have never had an issue creating a share on plain 2003 server, but it creates problems on 2003SBS.

As for the distribution groups, I take your point - create using the wizard and you can't go wrong. However, now that it has happened, the idea of choosing whether to have distribution groups visible in public folders or not might be useful. But I still can't see what the difference is between creating them in the different ways is. Do they end up in different policy groups? Is there a tick box I haven't noticed?

I guess I'm just curious now.

 

[TechSoEasyMVP]

Why?

Because SBS is a preconfigured server environment that combines many services which you would never put in the same box in an Enterprise Networking environment.

In order to keep all of these things running smoothly and to not conflict with eachother, configurations should be made by the wizards.

The wizards also sometimes do things that make it easier to manage your server. For the Distribution Group example, the SBS wizard automatically creates a Public Folder to Archive messages sent to the Distribution Group. When you create one using the Add Group within AD, you would have to manually create the Public Folder Archive and assign the group email address to that folder.

Additionally, you seem to be asking why you see ALL distribution groups in Standard Management, Distribution Groups. This is because the view for that folder is a Query which will show ALL Active Directory objects that are defined as Distribution Groups no matter what OU they are in.

Hope that helps you understand it a bit better. If you are curious about what the wizards do, check out their logs which you'll find in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Small Business Server\Support.





Jeffrey B. Kane
TechSoEasy

http://www.techsoeasy.com