Mail Server? Exchanger Server?
Ok, here is the story. We need to get an exchange server. In our network there was a box functioning as a "mail server" from what I know. I asked the tech guy what the mail server was and he sent this reply:
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For your understanding - the mail server server has the dual role of providing DNS (Domain Name Service). The main applications are:
Sendmail - the server application that actually handles the inbound and outbound mail transactions. It is the standard mail server used on the internet.
MailScanner - a script that works with sendmail to handle spam and virus scanning.
Clam - the antivirus application that scans all inbound/outbound e-mail for viruses or Windows threats.
Imap allows LAN users to fetch their mail off of the server.
Bind handles DNS service - also the standard.
All these applications are GNU liscensed - which means they are free to use and upgrade.
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Is what he is saying correct? Also, what would be the purpose of getting an exchange server? Isn't that simalar to the mail server we currently have setup here. The mail server is on a RedHat Linux box.
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For your understanding - the mail server server has the dual role of providing DNS (Domain Name Service). The main applications are:
Sendmail - the server application that actually handles the inbound and outbound mail transactions. It is the standard mail server used on the internet.
MailScanner - a script that works with sendmail to handle spam and virus scanning.
Clam - the antivirus application that scans all inbound/outbound e-mail for viruses or Windows threats.
Imap allows LAN users to fetch their mail off of the server.
Bind handles DNS service - also the standard.
All these applications are GNU liscensed - which means they are free to use and upgrade.
--------------------------
Is what he is saying correct? Also, what would be the purpose of getting an exchange server? Isn't that simalar to the mail server we currently have setup here. The mail server is on a RedHat Linux box.
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Exchange provides for a shared calendar system, shared contacts, centralized mail store for easy backup of all the above, a webmail client that, in my opinion, is second to none, and some additional features and abilities that most mail servers don't offer.
If your business is less than 50-60 people, with slow to moderate growth, you might want to consider purchasing/using Small Business Server 2003 - it's MUCH less expensive than buying Windows Server and Exchange separate and it also provides for copies of Outlook to all licensed clients. It's also got a heavily Wizard driven interface (which really MUST be used) to manage it, unlike standard copies of Exchange/Windows. The software for 5 users is about $500-650. The client licenses cost about $90 each (+/- 10%). SBS provides for a MAXIMUM of 75 users. Once you near or hit that limit, you can buy the Transition pack that will remove the limitations.