Today (24th July 2006) the general public got the chance to look at Exchange 2007.
As this is only the 6th version of Exchange, it is a key moment in this product's history.
As such, this will provoke a lot of interest, so I thought I would create a question where we can share some tips on getting it to work. I have also included some information on asking questions about Exchange 2007.

However...

DO NOT INSTALL EXCHANGE 2007 IN TO YOUR PRODUCTION NETWORK.
DO NOT USE EXCHANGE 2007 AS YOUR PRIMARY EMAIL SERVER.

OK?

Setting Up Exchange 2007
-----------------------------

If you want to try this new version, then I would suggest that you use virtual machine technologies.
Either VMWARE or Virtual PC/Server.
If you don't have the licenses for Windows 2003, then get the evaluation edition. They are good for 180 days, which will be close to release date.

You will need two machines - a domain controller and an Exchange server.
Configure the Exchange server with at least 512mb of RAM.
When you setup the domain, it will often come up as Windows 2000 native. Exchange 2007 requires the domain to be at Windows 2003, so remember to upgrade it before you start the installation process.

READ THE RELEASE NOTES. The installation is different to Exchange 2003. You don't install IIS SMTP Server for example, as it is built in to Exchange 2007. Don't select all options when you do the install. Some of them are simply not suitable. Exchange 2007 is module based, and if you don't have the right hardware or network setup, then you cannot use everything. The unified messaging (email on the phone) is the main one - you need to have supported hardware to use that.

To see the new management console at its best, run that machine at a resolution of at least 1024x768.

You could also configure a third virtual machine - Windows XP and install the public beta of Office 12 on to it. Then you will see the automatic configuration of Outlook take place.
Also use the Windows Mobile 5.0 emulator to see that work with the new version.

Questions on Exchange 2007
---------------------------------

If you want to ask a question about Exchange 2007, then please do so.

However please ensure that the question is clearly flagged as being about Exchange 2007.
 
Also be aware that while some of us (who may or may not reveal themselves) have had access to Exchange 2007 for some months, it has changed quite a bit. We (the experts) are on a steep learning curve.

Experts - unless you have tested it yourself, presume that NONE of the tweaks for Exchange 200x work on Exchange 2007. I have already spotted a couple of tricks that I would do that no longer work - at least they don't in the same way.

Finally - this is BETA software. DO NOT USE IT IN PRODUCTION. DO NOT PUT IT ON YOUR PRODUCTION NETWORK.

Be prepared to lose whatever is in the application.

If anyone else wants to chip in, please do so below.

Simon
Page Editor,
Exchange Server Topic Area.