Try this with Exchange (or Sharepoint, or....)
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Rather unfortunatly, I've got to install Exchange 2003 today. We need to test cross-domain routing with the Exchange 2003 connector. I'm not overly hopeful....
Anyway, we're also testing cross domain Blackberry access (I know....), so to do that, I've just built some test Domino servers. From a standing start of a Windows 2003 VM, guess how long to install 2 Domino partitions, each in their own domain and certifier, with their own IP addresses. Cross certify, setup the relevant domain and connection documents and prove mail routing between the two administrators?
28 minutes.
I shall report back on how long it takes to install Exchange soon. Or possibly not so soon.
-Update 1- 10:30
Just for the record - There were no reboots installing the Domino servers, I just had to install Domino from one set of install files and did both partitions at the same time. The only other software I installed was the Notes client to setup the connections. Now, onto Exchange..
Ok, that was an interesting start. Even though my VM has 1Gb of RAM, enough processor and is Windows 2003 Enterprise edition, it's not the right version. Riiiight.
Ah, and I can't install Exchange yet because of course I need IIS and active Directory, which also means I need a DNS server installed, which means I need to go get the Windows 2003 source.... 36 minutes past so far just getting the stuff together (and that's just copying files around!)
-Update 2 - 11:19
Reboot number 1. The "configure my server" wizard is installing DNS and AD - I think.
OK, so the "first server" wizard didn't do IIS or ASP.NET. Why I need a web server installed to route email, I have no idea. Oh well, here we go again....
No reboot this time, that's good. Except installing IIS didn't install NNTP (which I don't want) or SMTP (which I guess is the only reason I need IIS). Another install...
Finally. After restarting the setup again (because it doesn't recognise you've just installed all the crap it asked you for) and entering the serial number for the third time, I'm finally doing the install.
- Update 3 - 11:35
OK, Updating the AD Schema now. I do wonder if there should be an option of "I'm only installing AD to support Exchange, so setup my schema at the beginning....."
- Update 4 - 12:03
It's finished churning the disks and seems to be installed... Time used up so far: 1hr 33 mins.
- Update 5 - 13:56
Back from lunch and a meeting. Now I've got Exchange installed, I need to install Outlook to test it on my test server. So, time to copy over the installation files for Office (it won't install remotely - don't ask me why...) More annoyingly, even though I tell it to only install Outlook, I still need to deselect a bundle of Office tools, toolbars, fonts, etc etc. All crap I especially don't want on a server. Whilst that's going, I've created a user in AD. and said my test user should have an exchange mailbox. Simple enough, though a bit of a pity I can't use my default demo password "lotusnotes". Not secure enough apparently
Anyway, installing Outlook. This is actually the first time I've ever done this myself. I'd always assumed that it picked up your logged in AD name and your Exchange server details from the DNS records it adds, and tries that first - so you didn't need to enter anything. No it doesn't!! I've just put in my server name and user name. Now I've selected how I'm going to connect to my server (dial-up, LAN etc). Sound familiar? Then I asked to log in with my AD username/password (remember - no PKI in Exchange-land), and I'm in. So, the setup of Outlook is just the same as Notes - or did I miss something?
(It also sent me another "Welcome to Outlook mail" when I tried this logged in as another user. That's slightly unnecessary.)
- Update 6 - 14:05
Hurrah! I can email myself. It seems a little slow considering it's just a loopback, but then again it took 15 minutes to shut down the server last time I tried it, so guess I can't complain that much. Now, I need to install service pack 1 to replciate the live environment and configure the Notes connector.
- Update 7 - 14:36
OK, Notes 6.5.1 installed. The Exchange connector is very picky about versions, and I know that this one works - so I'm going with it.
- Update 8 - 14:49
Outlook won't send a mail internally if it doesn't know who it is. Guess I need to setup dirsync as well as mail routing then...
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Comments
Incidentally you would probably find it easier to test mails via Outlook Web Access, rather than going to the effort of installing outlook itself. And if you are really going to set up the connector for real I would advise you to ignore the instructions.
The connector uses foreign domain documents to route using the dodgy Notes connector. It is much better to just use the connector for Dirsync and SMTP for routing. This keeps a lot more content intact and makes notes links work properly. You do have to make a change in the connector to do this as the dirsync will automatically give @Exchange or NOTES: extensions to people's mail addresses.
I have a PDF that describes this, give me a shout if you want a copy
Posted by Al At 09:45:08 On 04/08/2006 | - Website - |
Tee hee.
Si.
(PS - If you need serious questions answered then msg me.)
Posted by Si At 13:52:59 On 02/08/2006 | - Website - |