Help figuring out email setup - Migrations and Upgrades from Previous Versions

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Help figuring out email setup

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tannerjay

Posted: Monday, June 25, 2007 7:41:57 PM

Rank: Newbie

Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 2
Points: 6
Location: Weatherford, OK

Hello All,

I recently began a position as System Administrator for a small company. I have a strong educational background in microsoft and networking, but not much experience. Please help me understand what is going on in this company. I cannot even wrap my brain around what is going on.

We have an old Exchange 5.5 Server for internal email. On another server we have choicemail setup to filter incoming external email. The external email is provided by POP and SMTP servers through SWBell. Everyone in the office is setup to Outlook for internal email with exchange and Outlook Express for external email. Some use the Choicemail server address, for incoming and outgoing, and some use the swbell servers for incoming and outgoing (popbiz.swbell.net and smtp.dia.sbcglobal.net) Its a troubleshooting nightmare. No one knows why things are the way they are. I'm doubting what I've learned because of the strange things going on in this company. Just to make sure, most businesses use exchange for internal and external email, right?

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why this was ever implemented this way. I need to upgrade everything to exchange 2003. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to begin. Also, how to businesses deal with SPAM? I have users complaining of not getting emails they need, but still receiving many, many spam emails, even though they appear to be utilizing the choicemail server. I really need some experienced advice here. I appreciate any help. Thanks.

fgarufijr

Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 8:41:24 AM

Rank: Newbie

Joined: 4/1/2007
Posts: 3
Points: 9
Location: United States

I would agree tanner, that you just walked into a 'nightmare' situation... WELCOME TO THE REAL I.T. WORLD!!!! hahahaha The class room and real world experience are two totally different things.. Both are needed, but you'll definately find yourself banging your head against the desk wondering what the guy before you thought process was?!?!?!

My suggestion, upgrade the 5.5 to 2003, then migrate to 2007. Yes, Exchange will handle both internal and external mail. In 2007, you had the Hub Transport role which will ensure mail coming into the network is for a legitimate user before ever getting to the network.

Some people find software SPAM filters to be good enough. My suggestion, use a hardware solution. You want something that sits at the gateway level. I've used a product called Double Check which works great. Not only filters SPAM and junk mail, but also scans mail for viruses.. Its a great additonal level of support Smile

It sounds to me like your a one man show... If thats the case, my only suggestion to you is, if the budget allows for it, start slowly changing things the way you would want it. Trying to constantly understand or figure out what the guy before you did will not only drive you insane, but it will also take you much longer to get the job done!

tannerjay

Posted: Thursday, June 28, 2007 8:13:02 PM

Rank: Newbie

Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 2
Points: 6
Location: Weatherford, OK

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I completely plan to take your advice.

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