If you are regularly deploying or administering Exchange Server 2007 environments then chances are there are some pieces of software and documentation that you regularly need to make use of. Today I thought I would share with you what is in my own Exchange 2007 toolkit.
Software
Operating Systems
Naturally it pays to have copies of the Windows Server CD media on hand. If you don’t like carrying CD’s then having ISOs that you can mount is usually just as good.
- Windows Server 2003 32-bit and 64-bit (both Standard and Enterprise, and R2) CD media, slipstreamed with SP2.
- Windows Server 2008 32-bit and 64-bit DVD media (includes all the bits for both Standard and Enterprise on it) with SP2.
Exchange Pre-Requisites
When deploying Exchange 2007 on Windows Server 2003 there are several pre-requisites needed. Having these ready to copy to the server saves a lot of time finding and downloading them:
Even though production Exchange systems are only deployed on 64-bit servers I include both the 32-bit and 64-bit pre-requisites in my toolkit for situations where the Exchange 2007 schema extension is performed on a 32-bit domain controller.
Windows Server 2008 deployments don’t need any special software because all of the Exchange 2007 pre-requisites can be installed via the command line.
Exchange Installation Source
The latest build of Exchange 2007 is SP3 and is available as a complete install (ie, doesn’t require you to install RTM and then apply SP3). Again even though only 64-bit is used for production Exchange servers I still carry the 32-bit version with me for schema extensions and for installing the management tools on administrative workstations.
You can download both 32-bit and 64-bit install source here.
Planning, Deployment and Troubleshooting Tools
When you are planning or testing a new Exchange Server 2007 deployment these tools are are essential.
- Exchange 2007 Mailbox Server Role Storage Requirements Calculator (download here)
- Microsoft Exchange Server Jetstress Tool (x86 and x64)
- Exchange Load Generator (x86 and x64)
- Exchange Server Stress and Performance Tool (x86 and x64)
- Microsoft Exchange Server Profile Analyzer (x86 and x64)
- Microsoft Exchange Best Practices Analyzer v2.8
- 2007 Office System Converter: Microsoft Filter Pack here, plus the reg script here
- FBA Editor, for customizing ISA/TMG logon forms
- DNSLint, for AD replication troubleshooting
- Microsoft Active Directory Topology Diagrammer for generating Visio diagrams
- ADmodify for bulk object editing, useful in GAL segregation scenarios
- Microsoft Exchange Server Public Folder DAV-based Administration Tool
- Microsoft Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant v1.1
- Exchange 2007 Anti Spam Migration Tool
- MFCMAPI
- Automatic Fix-It package for installing Exchange on Domain Controllers
Documentation
Microsoft provides downloadable help files for Exchange 2007 that are invaluable when out in the field, especially if you happen to be without internet access and need information fast.
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 2 Help
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 2 Shell Help
While there are many good Exchange 2007 books around most of them are too big and heavy to carry out in the field. That is why I carry the Administrator’s Pocket Consultant with me. However will also list here the other books that I keep in the office for reference:
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant (Second Edition)
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Unleashed
- How to Cheat at Configuring Exchange Server 2007
Want to work with Exchange Server 2007?
If you’re interested in working with Exchange Server 2007 you may want to:
- Get certified. I’ve completed both the MCTS certification, and MCITP certification for Exchange 2007 using these two books.
- Download my Exchange Server 2007 Transition Guide to learn how to migrate from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007.
- Read my Project Coconut series, a real world Exchange 2007 deployment I recently worked on.
- Subscribe to my RSS feed, so you can keep up to date with all of my Exchange related blog posts.
Great list Paul. Another good one for the toolkit, although not strictly Exchange based is the Active Directory Topology Diagrammer (ADMAP).
This makes some great overview diagrams of the AD and Exchange environment.
What about the exchange best practices analyzer (bpa) ?
Good catch Philip, definitely a must have tool, I’ll add that one in the next update.
And don’t forget to peruse The Essential Exchange website.. http://TheEssentialExchange.com.
(Unsurprisingly, this post came back as a link to me.)
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