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Glossary


Address Book—A collection of one or more lists of recipients. An address book organizes the recipient data into containers (lists of recipients). See also Global Address List, Personal Address book.

Address Book Provider—A MAPI address book provider provides access to any existing central database that holds information on all users and recipients in a messaging system. The Exchange directory service is an example of an address book provider.

Address List—A collection of recipients in the address book, organized by their recipients container. See also Global Address List, Personal Address Book.

Address Space—A set of address information associated with a connector or gateway that identifies a certain type or group of recipients and the route messages to those recipients should take. The address space exists so the Exchange MTA can determine how to get a message to its final destinations. See also Connector.

Administrator Program—A graphical user interface that administrators use to manage and configure Microsoft Exchange Server objects such as organizations, sites, and servers.

Advanced Security—Provides administrators and users with the ability to protect and verify messages.

Alias—Typically, a shortened version of the mailbox owner's name, it's used to address messages. This item is specified in the Recipient properties page.

Authentication—Validation of a user's Windows NT Server log in information. See also Trust Relationships.

Backbone—A network connection—usually high speed to handle heavy traffic—between local area network segments. A backbone connects two or more LANs.

Bridgehead Server—A Microsoft Exchange Server computer that acts as an endpoint of a connection between two Exchange sites. It is responsible for routing messages through the site connection.

Certificate—An authentication method used in security that contains information that actually authenticates a signed or sealed message. A certificate is only available to security-enabled users. It primarily houses a user's public key and is transported through the Exchange network via the Directory service. A certificate is analogous to a notary public's seal on a document, verifying its authenticity. See also Certification Authority, Key.

Certification Authority (CA)—In Exchange advanced security, the CA is the central process that generates the public and private key pairs. The CA is responsible for creating and maintaining security key pairs and special certificates. See also Certificate.

Client Installation Point—A shared directory on a file server to which users can connect in order to install the Microsoft Exchange Client. See also Network Share.

Client/Server Architecture—In a client/server system, the client sends requests to a server, the server carries out the instructions, and the results are sent back to the client. Client/server is the underlying architecture of Microsoft Exchange Server. See also Shared File Architecture.

Common Message Calls (CMC)—A set of 10 high-level functions for quick and easy implementation of simple messaging.

Connector—A component of Exchange that routes messages between Microsoft Exchange Server sites and other messaging systems. For example, the Internet Mail connector enables Microsoft Exchange users to send and receive messages with other users on the Internet. See also Address Space.

Container—In the Administrator program, a container is an object that contains other objects. For example, the recipients container is composed of recipient objects.

Custom Recipient—A recipient in a foreign system whose address is specified in the address book. For example, if your Microsoft Exchange system is connected to a different e-mail system by way of the Internet Mail connector, the recipients in that e-mail system have custom recipient address entries in the address book.

Delegate—In Exchange, a delegate is a person with permission to manage and/or send e-mail for another user.

Delivery Receipt (DR)—A notice confirming that a message has been delivered to its intended recipient. See also Read Receipt (RR).

Digital Signature—An advanced security feature of Exchange that enables users to verify the source of messages and to verify that the contents of the message have not been modified during transit. See also Encryption, Key, Signing.

Directory—The Exchange directory stores all the information about an organization's resources and users such as sites, recipients, and servers. Other Exchange components use the directory to address and route messages. On an Exchange server, the directory, also called Directory Service (DS), is a Windows NT service—MSExchangeDS. It is one of the four core Microsoft Exchange Server services. See also Information Store, Message Transfer Agent, System Attendant.

Directory Object—A record in the directory such as a server, a mailbox, or a distribution list. Every object has properties that can be defined.

Directory Replication—The process of updating the directories of all Exchange servers within and between Exchange sites.

Directory Replication Bridgehead Server—A specialized bridgehead server—an Exchange server that acts as the endpoint of a directory replication connection between its site and a remote site. This server requests directory updates from the remote Exchange site.

Directory Synchronization—The process of synchronizing an Exchange server directory with the directories from MS Mail systems, either PC or AppleTalk. On an Exchange server this is managed by a Windows NT service, the Directory Synchronization Agent - MSExchangeDXA.

Distribution List—A distribution list (DL) is a collection of recipients commonly addressed together as a single recipient. A DL makes it easier and more convenient to manage and address multiple recipients. Administrators can create DLs that are available in the address book. Users can create DLs and add them to their personal address book.

Domain—A Windows NT domain is a group of computers running Windows NT Server, minimally composed of a Windows NT primary domain controller. A domain can also include other types of servers and clients. Usually a Windows NT domain directly corresponds to a Microsoft Exchange site.

Domain Controller—A Windows NT domain controller is the Windows NT server computer that maintains the security database for a domain and authenticates domain logons. Windows NT domains can have one primary domain controller (PDC) and one or more backup domain controllers (BDC).

Dynamic RAS Connector—A Microsoft Exchange Server messaging connector that routes messages between Exchange sites using Windows NT Remote Access Services (RAS). See also Messaging Connector.

E-mail Addresses—A general term that refers to the address or name by which recipients are known to Exchange and to foreign systems.

Encryption—An advanced security feature of Exchange that provides confidentiality by allowing users to scramble data using complex algorithms. The data can only be decrypted by someone with a key. Encrypting a message is also known as 'sealing' a message. Data is encrypted as it resides on disk and as it travels over a network. Exchange uses CAST-40 and CAST-64 encryption. See also Digital Signature, Key, Sealing, Signing.

Fault Tolerance—A general term that refers to the ability of a system—be it hardware or software—to respond to an event, such as a power failure or a component failure, so that information is not lost and so that operations continue without interruption.

Foreign System—A messaging system other than Microsoft Exchange Server.

Form—A structure for posting and viewing information. An example is a send form, such as a purchase requisition.

Forms Designer—The Microsoft Exchange Client component that enables you to create custom forms and applications for use with Exchange.

Gateway—Gateways deliver messages from Microsoft Exchange Server to foreign systems. For example, the Internet Mail connector is a type of gateway.

Global Address List—Contains the names of all mailboxes, custom recipients, distribution lists, and public folders in an organization. See also Address Book.

Home Server—From an Exchange user perspective, the home server is the specific Microsoft Exchange server that contains a user's mailbox.

Information Service—The information service is a "bolt-on" intermediary between MAPI and whatever messaging system that is being accessed by way of the Exchange client. It provides a way for the client to access data from an outside information source such as Exchange Server. There are four main information services available to the Exchange client including Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Mail, Personal Address Book, and Personal Folders. There are more available through Microsoft and third parties such as Internet-related, CompuServe, and other e-mail systems.

Information Store (IS)—The Exchange information store contains the public and private information stores. On an Exchange server, the IS is a Windows NT service—MSExchangeIS. It is one of the four core Microsoft Exchange Server services. See also Directory, Message Transfer Agent, Private Information Store, Public Information Store, System Attendant.

Internet Mail Connector (IMC)—The IMC is an Exchange Server messaging connector that enables users to exchange messages with SMTP users. For example, it provides a way to send and receive messages from the Internet, or it can be used to connect Exchange sites over any SMTP backbone. The IMC is, in effect, an SMTP gateway. See also Gateway, Messaging Connector, SMTP.

Key—In Exchange, a key is used for advanced security features. There are four types of keys: two public keys and two private keys. Without a key, no security measures such as signing and sealing can be used. See also Certificate, Digital Signature, Encryption, Key Management Server, Public Key, Private Key, Sealing, Signing.

Key Management Server (KM Server)—The KM server is a specific Exchange Server computer which has been installed with the advanced security features of Exchange. On an Exchange Server, these features are managed by a Windows NT service, the Key Management Service. See also Key.

LoadSim—Microsoft Exchange Server Load Simulator program. A utility included with Microsoft Exchange Server for placing a reliable, predictable, reproducible load on the server. It provides the capability for a single Windows NT machine (called the LoadSim client) to simulate multiple Exchange users.

LoadSim Client—Any computer running Windows NT Workstation or Windows NT Server and the LoadSim program. A LoadSim client's purpose is to simulate multiple synthetic users to place a load on an Exchange server.

Local Delivery Message—A message sent between recipients that share the same home server. This type of message has the fastest delivery time. The MTA does not participate in delivering local messages unless a distribution list is involved.

Mailbox—The fundamental delivery location for a recipient's incoming mail messages.

MAPI (Messaging Application Program Interface)—A standard interface that Exchange Server and Client use to communicate with each other. There are two types of MAPI: Simple MAPI and Extended MAPI. Simple MAPI contains 12 high-level messaging functions for implementation of simple messaging. Extended MAPI is designed for applications that depend heavily upon messaging. It provides for handling complex messages, large numbers of messages, message storage, and complex addressing information. Exchange uses Extended MAPI.

Message Spooler—The message spooler is contained in the MAPI message transport provider. The spooler works in conjunction with other MAPI processes to call upon information services to access store, transport, and addressing services.

Message Store Provider—A MAPI message store provider serves as the central repository for messages and folders in a messaging system. The main Exchange databases, PRIV.EDB and PUB.EDB, are two examples of a message store provider.

Message Transfer Agent (MTA)—The MTA is responsible for routing messages to other Exchange Server MTAs, information stores, connectors, and third party gateways. It is also responsible for breaking down distribution lists into their individual recipients. On an Exchange server, the MTA is a Windows NT service-MSExchangeMTA. It is one of the four core Microsoft Exchange Server services. See also Information Store, Message Transfer Agent, System Attendant.

Message Transport Provider—A MAPI message transport provides message transportation services from the local MAPI message system to the message transport medium. This transport medium is usually the network software. It also incorporates a spooler. See also Message Spooler.

Messaging Connector—An Exchange Server component that is used to connect two Exchange sites so messages can be transported between the sites. There are four main messaging connectors with Exchange Server: Site Connector, X.400 Connector, Dynamic RAS Connector, and Internet Mail Connector.

Messaging ProfileSee Profile.

Messaging Service—A generic term that refers to any messaging system such as Microsoft Exchange Server, CompuServe, MS Mail 3.x, etc.

Microsoft Mail Connector—An Exchange Server component that works with the Exchange MTA to provide connectivity to MS Mail systems (both PC and AppleTalk) and to MS Mail (PC) gateways. On an Exchange server, this is implemented as a Windows NT service, the Mail Connector (PC) MTA. It provides the same functionality as an MS Mail 3.x MTA or MMTA.

Microsoft Schedule+ Free/Busy Connector—An Exchange Server component designed to work in conjunction with the Microsoft Mail 3.x executables SCHDIST.EXE and ADMINSCH.EXE to exchange free and busy appointment information between an Exchange server and a MS Mail post office. This is managed by a Windows NT service.

Network Share—A shared directory on a Microsoft Windows Network that users can connect to in order to access files over the network. The client installation point is a network share. See also Client Installation Point.

Non-Delivery Report (NDR)—A notice received by an Exchange client indicating a message was not delivered to the recipient.

Non-Read Notification (NRN)—A notice received by an Exchange client indicating a message was deleted before it was read.

Object—In an Exchange system, an object is a general term which refers to a record—such as a site, server, connector, mailbox, or distribution list— in the Exchange Server directory.

Offline Folders—Specific mailbox folders and favorite public folders that are configured to be used both when connected and when not connected to the user's Exchange server.

Organization—A collection of Microsoft Exchange server sites. An organization is the highest level of grouping in the Exchange hierarchy. See also Site, Server.

PerfMon—Microsoft Windows NT Performance Monitor. A tool included with Windows NT which provides a way to monitor performance counters in the system.

PerfWiz—Microsoft Exchange Server Performance Optimizer. A utility included with Microsoft Exchange Server that examines the system resources and sets configuration parameters for optimal Exchange Server performance. It is usually run after Microsoft Exchange Server is initially installed. It should also be run any time system resources are altered.

Permission Authorization to access an object or to perform an action.

Personal Address Book (PAB)—A user-created version of the address book stored locally on the client in a .PAB file. See also Address Book.

Personal Folder—A personal folder is a client-based folder that contains any kind of information the user wants to store off the server. You must create your own personal folders after installing the Personal Folders information service. Personal folders are usually stored on the user's local hard drive in a .PST file, and they are displayed under the Personal Folders object in the client.

Private Folder—A private folder is a server-based folder that is part of a user's mailbox. Inbox and Outbox are examples private folders. Private folders are stored in the private information store on an Exchange Server, and they are displayed under the Mailbox object in the client. See also Private Information Store.

Private Information Store—The database on an Exchange Server which contains all the individual users' mail folders. The filename is PRIV.EDB and it can be found in the \EXCHSRVR\MDBDATA directory. On an Exchange server, the private information store is a part of the Microsoft Exchange information store. See also Information Store.

Private Key—A type of key that is only known by a specific user. It is a fixed-length security string that is stored in a local encrypted security file on each user's computer and used to unseal and sign messages. Exchange actually uses two private keys: one for unsealing messages and one for signing messages. See also Sealing, Signing.

Profile—A profile is an optional service of MAPI which is employed to help users manage the Information services configured on an Exchange client.

Provider—See Information Service.

Public Folder—A public folder is a server-based folder that is available to all users of Exchange, much like a bulletin board. It can contain various types of information including e-mail, spreadsheets, graphics, voice mail. Public folders are stored in the public information store on an Exchange server, and they are displayed under the Public Folders object in the client. See also Public Information Store.

Public Folder Affinity—This feature enables users in one Exchange site to open public folders on Exchange servers in other sites.

Public Folder Replication—The process of updating the changes to identical copies of a public folder on multiple Exchange Server computers. See also Public Folder.

Public Information Store—The database on an Exchange server which contains all the public folders. The filename is PUB.EDB, and it can be found in the \EXCHSRVR\MDBDATA directory. On an Exchange server, the public information store is a part of the Microsoft Exchange information store. See also Information Store.

Public Key—A type of key that is available to any user of the Exchange system. It is a fixed-length security string that is stored in publicly-available certificates and is used to seal and verify secure messages. Exchange actually uses two public keys: one for sealing messages and one for verifying messages.

Read-Receipt (RR)—A notice received by an Exchange client indicating a message was read by its intended recipient.

Recipient—A recipient is a general term that refers to directory entities such as users, mailboxes, distribution lists, public folders, automatic processing agents, etc. These entities can receive messages and information.

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)—A standard protocol for client-server communication.

Replication—A general term referring to updating the changes between two copies of the same information. See also Directory Replication, Public Folder Replication.

Revocation—A warning users receive when they get a signed message from an originator whose advanced security has been revoked.

Role—A group of permissions.

Routing—The processing of transferring and delivering messages.

Routing Table—A special data structure which contains information that the MTA needs to route information.

Roving User—A user who logs on to the Exchange Client from various different computers in a organization.

Schedule File—An .SCD file which stores scheduling information for MS Schedule+ users.

Sealing—The process of sealing allows a sender to encrypt the body part and any attachments of an originating message using a public key. It provides confidentiality of a message as it moves through a Microsoft Exchange system. See also Encryption, Private Key, Public Key, Unsealing.

Security Context—A security aspect of Windows NT Server that controls the kind of access a user, a process, or a service has to Windows NT operating system services.

Security File—A CAST-encrypted file stored on the user's local machine as an .EPF file. It contains the user's private signing key, the certification authority's certificate, and the signing and sealing certificates. See also Certification Authority, Private Key.

Security Token—A random 8-character string given to users during set up of Advanced Security. This token is used for enabling a number of security features. Some are to create the public and private signing key pair, to send the public signing key to the KM server, to retrieve the sealing key pair stored in the KM database, and to identify the user-defined access password which is used to encrypt a security file. See also KM Server.

Service Account—A Windows NT user account that is specifically enabled to provide the security context required to run the Microsoft Exchange Server services. All Exchange servers in a site should use the same service account. See also Security Context.

Service Provider—See Information Service.

Shared File Architecture—In a shared file system, the client is required to process all the user requests. The server in the system is just a network-based repository for information which the client uses. Much less efficient than client/server. MS Mail 3.x is a shared file architecture e-mail system. See also Client/Server Architecture.

Server—In an Exchange system, a computer configured with Windows NT Server and the Microsoft Exchange Server software. The Exchange server contains many services the Exchange client accesses. A server is the lowest level of grouping in the Exchange hierarchy. See also Organization, Site.

Signing—When a sender signs a message, it causes the Exchange client to "stamp" a digital signature into the originating message using one of the user's two private keys. Then, by verifying the message, a recipient can be sure of the identity of the sender and that the content has not been modified during transit. For example, this feature can prevent someone from originating a message under the guise of another identity. See also Private Key, Public Key, Verifying.

Site—An Exchange site is one or more Exchange servers that share the same directory information. Usually, servers in a site are connected by LAN or other high-speed connection(i.e. greater than 64 Kbits/sec). Servers in a site communicate by way of Remote Procedure Call.

Site Connector—An Exchange Server messaging connector that connects two Exchange sites. This enables users in different Exchange sites residing on the same LAN to send and receive messages. See also Messaging Connector.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)—In an Exchange system, SMTP is the protocol used by the Internet mail connector to transfer messages between an Exchange site and another SMTP messaging system such as the Internet.

System Attendant (SA)—The Exchange SA is responsible for various server housekeeping tasks. It also interacts with the Advanced Security features of Exchange. On an Exchange server, the SA is a Windows NT service—MSExchangeSA. It is one of the four core Microsoft Exchange Server services. See also Directory, Information Store, Message Transfer Agent.

Target Server—An Exchange Server computer that acts as the end point of a connection between two Exchange sites.

TokenSee Security Token.

Transaction Log—A crucial set of files used to provide fault tolerance in the event that the IS or directory databases need to be rolled back so data can be restored. There are separate sets of log files for the IS and the directory databases. Every transaction to these databases is logged in the log files for fault tolerance. The IS logs are stored in \EXCHSRVR\MDBDATA. The directory logs are stored in \EXCHSRVR\DSADATA. All transaction logs should always be stored on a fault-tolerant disk volume.

Trust Relationship—A Windows NT security concept that makes it possible for a user in one Windows NT domain to access a network resource—including an Exchange Server—that resides in another Windows NT domain.

Unsealing—The process of decrypting a received message that was sent encrypted. When a recipient receives a sealed (encrypted) message, the message is unsealed (decrypted) with one of the user's two private keys. See also Public Key, Private Key, Sealing.

User Account—A Windows NT entity that contains information such as the user name, password, group membership, and permissions. User account information is used directly by the Exchange Client and Server to determine access permissions.

User ProfileSee Profile.

Verifying—The process of checking the digital signature in a signed message to ensure the message has not been altered and the originator is not an impostor. When a recipient receives a signed message, the message is verified with a public key. See also Private Key, Public Key, Signing.

X.400—Developed by the CCITT and published every four years since 1984, X.400 is a recommendation for computer-based handling of electronic messages. The goal is to enable e-mail users to exchange messages no matter what messaging system they use. X.400 is designed to be hardware/software independent. Microsoft Exchange is compliant with the 1984 and 1988 X.400 recommendations.

X.400 Connector—An Exchange Server messaging connector that can be configured either to connect two Exchange sites or to route messages to foreign X.400 systems. See also Messaging Connector.

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