How do you set up OWA?

I've set this up many times for Exchange 5.5. I can't seem to figure it out
for Exchange 2003. While I find many helpful hints from MS on how to
configure users and specific portions, I can't find anything on the basics of
setting it up.

Ie, do you still create a virtual folder on the web site? If so, where does
it point?

Do you need to install an add in for the exchange server? Is it there by
default?

Thanks for the help.

Miha
Mon Nov 07 12:15:53 CST 2005

Hi,

You have few options.

First one (and recommended one) is to use additional Exchange server and set
it up as Front-End server. This server is the server that is opened to the
internet over different protocols (e.g. HTTPS for OWA and in different
configurations also SMTP, and other protocols).
Front End server doesn't have any mailboxes on it and its role is to proxy
requests from internet to back end servers holding user's mailboxes. To make
a server a front end server open Exchange Manager and right click on the
server name. Check the box "This is Front-End server"... Now you have to
make sure that this server is secure (patched, has SSL set up etc...) and
open appropriate ports on the firewall to allow requests from the internet
to this server.

Another option (usually not recommended) is to expose server holding user's
mailboxes to the internet over different protocols (again HTTPS, ...). OWA
is by default installed on every Exchange server so you don't have to make
any additional installations.... If you open browser on Exchange server and
enter URL http://localhost/exchange you should be able to see your mailbox
(depending on your Exchange configuration)...

Here is a good resource on the subject...

Front-End and Back-End Server Topology Guide for Exchange Server 2003 and
Exchange 2000 Server
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/guides/E2k3FrontBack/3beec46b-188a-4067-9f1e-c9fe17e1cb9f.mspx

I hope this helps,

--
Mike
Microsoft MVP - Windows Security

"DB" <DB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:29473891-6DE5-4E11-99F8-9F88C8B7FD6F@microsoft.com...
> I've set this up many times for Exchange 5.5. I can't seem to figure it
> out
> for Exchange 2003. While I find many helpful hints from MS on how to
> configure users and specific portions, I can't find anything on the basics
> of
> setting it up.
>
> Ie, do you still create a virtual folder on the web site? If so, where
> does
> it point?
>
> Do you need to install an add in for the exchange server? Is it there by
> default?
>
> Thanks for the help.