putting an exchange 2003 server in a DMZ zone

i hope this link helps https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21257369/Exchange-2003-front-end-on-DMZ.html

Yep - you can - indeed id is best if you do. If you are planning such an set-up you might want to consider putting an Exchange front-end server in the DMZ and keep the mailboxes secure within your main network. See

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/2000/library/frontbak.mspx

There is absolutely nothing gained by putting exchange in the DMZ. Actually, there is much to lose with this configuration. For example, you will need to open many ports in the firewall causing security risk.

There is no reason under any circumstance to put any member of the inside domain in the DMZ, especially exchange.

Put exchange front end or back end on your inside network and open port 443 and 25 only to exchange and verify that exchange is configured properly to preven relay. That is as secure as it gets.

Donnie

Putting exchange in the dmz is a very bad idea.  You just have to open up way too many ports on the firewall, thus making it basically useless at that point.

If you really want to increase security then put another server in the DMZ to act as the relay server.  Besides, I don't think any member server should be in the dmz.