How to setup microsoft exchange server?

Emailing today can be equated in importance to the pigeons that used to ferry vital messages from one dug out to the other and one battle field to the other during World War 1. And the tap-coded faxes during the Second World War: they are essential. They provide a means of information dissemination in an easy and cheap way. For this reason acquiring the best email service should be the priority for anyone, a group or organization worth its salt. One of these tools is microsoft exchange server. microsoft exchange server is an email server. Basically, it acts as your postman busy taking care of your mail ensuring it reaches the right people (destination) at the right time (timeliness). However, microsoft exchange server does much more than just postmaster duties. It encompasses a full array of complete communication. The major features of microsoft exchange server besides emailing include; shared calendars and tasks, video conferencing and chatting, a mobile phone and other wireless device support, and web-based access to information and storage and sharing of data amongst teams.

Clearly, microsoft exchange server is an essential tool for any business, but how should one host it? In-house, shared or outsource?

The first option in-house or self-hosting sounds for many individuals as the way to go. Of course considering, the tough economic times, who would want the costs associated with outsourcing. And yes at times it is true that it may be a bargain to do it yourself, but this is mainly true for large organizations. The organization should have also a well-trained IT staff and that are generally with one geographical area. To break it down, a properly installed and functional microsoft exchange server must have the following features; two dedicated Active Directory Domain Controllers, at least one dedicated Exchange Server (start tallying the cost anytime now), the three servers must be licensed for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 as well as the mail server. At a minimum, the least, a full installation would cost is approximately USD 6000. And this does factor in other crucial dots and crosses like; data backup, anti-virus, anti-Spam, Internet connectivity and support and maintenance. So the price must as well double. Now for a small business, this is unreachable and mainly impractical.