If you are regularly deploying or administering Exchange Server 2007 environments then chances are there are some pieces of software and documentation that you regularly need to make use of. Today I thought I would share with you what is in my own Exchange 2007 toolkit.
Software
Operating Systems
Naturally it pays to have copies of the Windows Server CD media on hand. If you don’t like carrying CD’s then having ISOs that you can mount is usually just as good.
- Windows Server 2003 32-bit and 64-bit (both Standard and Enterprise, and R2) CD media, slipstreamed with SP2.
- Windows Server 2008 32-bit and 64-bit DVD media (includes all the bits for both Standard and Enterprise on it)
Exchange Pre-Requisites
When deploying Exchange 2007 on Windows Server 2003 there are several pre-requisites needed. Having these ready to copy to the server saves a lot of time finding and downloading them:
Even though production Exchange systems are only deployed on 64-bit servers I include both the 32-bit and 64-bit pre-requisites in my toolkit for situations where the Exchange 2007 schema extension is performed on a 32-bit domain controller.
Windows Server 2008 deployments don’t need any special software because all of the Exchange 2007 pre-requisites can be installed via the command line.
Exchange Installation Source
The latest build of Exchange 2007 is SP1 and is available as a complete install (ie, doesn’t require you to install RTM and then apply SP1). Again even though only 64-bit is used for production Exchange servers I still carry the 32-bit version with me for schema extensions and for installing the management tools on administrative workstations.
You can download both 32-bit and 64-bit install source here.
Documentation
Microsoft provides downloadable help files for Exchange 2007 that are invaluable when out in the field, especially if you happen to be without internet access and need information fast.
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 Help
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 Shell Help
While there are many good Exchange 2007 books around most of them are too big and heavy to carry out in the field. That is why I carry the Administrator’s Pocket Consultant with me. However will also list here the other books that I keep in the office for reference:
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant (Second Edition)
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Unleashed
- How to Cheat at Configuring Exchange Server 2007
Want to work with Exchange Server 2007?
If you’re interested in working with Exchange Server 2007 you may want to:
- Get certified. I’ve completed the MCTS certification for Exchange 2007 and in a few days the two books I’ve ordered for the MCITP certification exams are due to arrive.
- Read my Project Coconut series, a real world Exchange 2007 deployment I recently worked on
- Subscribe to my RSS feed, so you can keep up to date with all of my Exchange related blog posts
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December 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
[...] you want to know more about pursuing Exchange 2007 certification check out my post on the essential Exchange 2007 toolkit where I list some documentation and training resources that are very helpful. Posted by Paul | [...]