MS Exchange Server 2003 Interview

Questions and Answers

What must be done to an AD forest before Exchange can be deployed?
Setup.exe /forestprep

What are the required components of Windows Server 2003 for installing Exchange
2003?
ASP.NET, SMTP, NNTP, W3SVC

What Exchange process is responsible for communication with AD?

DSACCESS

What 3 types of domain controller does Exchange access?

Normal Domain Controller, Global Catalog, Configuration Domain Controller

What connector type would you use to connect to the Internet, and what are the two
methods of sending mail over that connector?
SMTP Connector: Forward to smart host or use DNS to route to each address

How would you optimise Exchange 2003 memory usage on a Windows Server 2003
server with more than 1Gb of memory?
Add /3Gb switch to boot.ini

Name the process names for the following: System Attendant?

MAD.EXE, Information Store � STORE.EXE, SMTP/POP/IMAP/OWA � INETINFO.EXE

What is the maximum amount of databases that can be hosted on Exchange 2003
Enterprise?
20 databases. 4 SGs x 5 DBs.

What is the use of NNTP with exchange?

This protocol is used the news group in exchange.

What is DHCP? How we configure DHCP?

DHCP is the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. (Port 67 and 68). It means asiging Dynamic
IP address to the devices on a network. (Next Doc)

What are the ways to configure DNS & Zones?

DNS = Domain Name System. It can be configured by clicking the Start button, pointing to
the Programs, pointing to Administrative Toolsand clicking DNS Manager (which has two
zones, namely the Forward Lookup Zone and the Reverse Lookup Zone). When the DNS
Server Configuration Wizard starts, click Next. If it does not auto-start, it can be started by
right-clicking the user's server name object in the DNS Manager console and choosing the
Configure Your Server option.
Zones = The next step is to choose to add a forward lookup zone, click Next and ensure
whether the new forward lookup zone is a primary zone or not. It can only accept dynamic
updates if it is a primary zone. Click Primary, and then click Next. It must be ensured that the
zone name must either be the same as the user's Active Directory Domain name or the same
as the suffix for all the computers on the network which are to be registered with the DNS
server (in case of a stand-alone or workgroup environment). Type the name of the zone and
then click Next. The default name is accepted for the new zone file. Then click Next. Choose to
add a reverse lookup zone now and click Next. Click Primary and then click Next. Type the
name of the zone and then click Next. The zone name should be the same as the Network ID
of your local subnet. Accept the default name for the new zone file and click Next. Then click
Finish to complete the Server Configuration Wizard.
What are the types of backup? Explain each?
FULL, Incremental and Differential.
Full backup is as it says, it�s a full backup of available data.
Incremental backup stores all files changed since the last FULL, DIFFERENTIAL OR
INCREMENTAL backup. The advantage of an incremental backup is that it takes the least time
to complete.
Differential backup contains all files that have changed since the last FULL backup . The
advantage of a differential backup is that it shortens restore time compared to a full backup or
an incremental backup.

What are Levels of RAID 0, 1, 5? Which one is better & why?

Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) is the combining of several hard drives
into a single unit. Level 0 is used for applications, which do not require redundancy or striping.
Which, means the contents of the files are spread out over the multiple disks. One of the
common uses for level 0 is in editing digital video.
Level 0 there is not falut redundancy, and if one drive happens to fail all the data is lost.
Level 1 is used for applications, which include critical data and referred to as mirroring. RAID
1 is fault tolerant in situations when a drive fails the system will continue to work. Level 1
provides twice the transaction rate of single disks.
Level 5 is used when fault tolerance is needed and uses block level striping and distributed
parity. When one disk drive in RAID 5 goes down the data is recovered using the remaining
drives. RAID 5 is considered, to be the most popular RAID level in use today, because of it's
performance, redundancy and storage efficiency.

What are FMSO Roles? List them.

FSMO (Flexible Single Master Operation Role) are used to avoid conflicts in our active directory
as AD provides lot of flexibility for users to do some kind of changes, thus increases chances
of conflicts.
Schma Master Role
Domain Naming Master Role
RID - Relative Identifier.
PDC Emulator.
Infrastructure.

Describe the lease process of the DHCP server.

DORA
D (Discover) : DHCP Client sends a broadcast packets to identify the dhcp server, this packet
will contain the source MAC.
O (Offer) : Once the packet is received by the DHCP server, the server will send the packet
containing Source IP and Source MAC.
R (Request) : Client will now contact the DHCP server directly and request for the IP address.
A (Acknowledge) : DHCP server will send an ack packet which contains the IP address.

Disaster Recovery Plan?

A disaster recovery plan (DRP) - sometimes referred to as a business continuity plan (BCP) or
business process contingency plan (BPCP) - describes how an organization is to deal with
potential disasters. Just as a disaster is an event that makes the continuation of normal
functions impossible, a disaster recovery plan consists of the precautions taken so that the
effects of a disaster will be minimized and the organization will be able to either maintain or
quickly resume mission-critical functions. Typically, disaster recovery planning involves an
analysis of business processes and continuity needs; it may also include a significant focus on
disaster prevention.

What is scope & super scope?

scope is a valid range of IP addresses which are available for assignments or lease to client
computers on a particular subnet. A superscope is an administrative grouping of scopes that
can be used to support multiple logical IP subnets on the same physical subnet. Superscopes
only contain a list of member scopes or child scopes that can be activated together.
Logical Diagram of Active Directory? What is the difference between child domain &
additional domain server?
Active directory contains forest, tree, domain and its child domain. Child domian is comes
under parent domain and it shares the name space, its names space append the parent
domain name. Addtional domain controller is the copy of main domain controller and its for
load balancing and fault tolarance.

FTP, NNTP, SMTP, KERBEROS, DNS, DHCP, POP3 port numbers?

ftp = port 21 nntp = 443 smtp = 25 KERBEROS v4 = 88 KERBEROS v5 = 750 dns = 53 dhcp
= 67 pop3 = 110

What is Kerberos? Which version is currently used by Windows? How does Kerberos
work?
Kerberos is a network authentication protocol. It is designed to provide strong authentication
for client/server applications by using secret-key cryptography. A free implementation of this
protocol is available from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kerberos is available in
many commercial products as well. Current Version 5.0

Distribution List?
A distribution list, also known as a mailing list, is a collection of email addresses that allows
you to email multiple people at one time. A distribution list can contain a few addresses, or
many.

GAL, Routing Group, Stm files, Eseutil & ininteg - what are they used for?
GAL = Global Address Book (Address book used by users for Email addresses)
Routing Group = A group setup within Exchange to connect to another mailserver
ESEUTIL = is the utilities used to managed the information store.
What is MIME & MAPI?
MIME = Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
It defines non-ASCII message formats.
MAPI = Messaging Application Programming Interface
It's the programming interface for email.

How would you recover Exchange server when the log file is corrupted?

Tell me a bit about the capabilities of Exchange Server. 1) Outlook Anywhere (OWA)
2) Mailbox Can sync with Blackberry Device.
3) Calendar Sharing.
4) MAPI & POP3 Client support
5) RPC Over HTTP.

What are the different Exchange 2003 versions?

1. exchange 5.5
2. exchange server 2000
3. exchange server 2003
4. exchange server 2007

What are the major network infrastructure for installing Exchange 2003?
1.Geographical considerations
2.Bandwidth and latency
3.Current usage
4.Current messaging system

What is the latest Exchange 2003 Service Pack? Name a few changes in functionality
in that SP.
SP2 is a cumulative update that enhances your Exchange
Server 2003 messaging environment with:
Mobile e-mail improvements
Better protection against spam
Mailbox advancements

What are the disk considerations when installing Exchange (RAID types, locations
and so on).
Server hardware:
� Four 1 gigahertz (GHz), 1 megabyte (MB) or 2 MB L2 cache processors
� 4 gigabytes (GB) of Error Correction Code (ECC) RAM
� Two 100 megabits per second (Mbps) or 1000 Mbps network interface cards
� RAID-1 array with two internal disks for the Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server
2003 program files
� Two redundant 64-bit fiber Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) to connect to the Storage Area
Network

You got a new HP DL380 (2U) server, dual Xeon, 4GB of RAM, 7 SAS disks, 64-bit.
What do you do next to install Exchange 2003? (you have AD in place)

Why not install Exchange on the same machine as a DC?

1. Redundancy and Stability - if the exchange server fails then Domain Controller also fails and
it concludes a big Failuire
2. Overload : It may overload your existing server and that can cause a significant
performance problem.

How would you prepare the AD Schema in advance before installing Exchange?
1. Make sure all the following are installd and working on the server SMTP, NNTP, ASP.NET,
IIS, WWW. This can be installed windos component on Add-Remove program
2. Run Forest Preain Prep
3. Run Domain Prep and you are good to go.

What type or permissions do you need in order to install the first Exchange server in
a forest? In a domain?
you need Schema Admin, Domain Admin and Enterprise Admin Permission. What type of
memory optimization changes could you do for Exchange 2003? Add /3GB switch to boot.ini
file and you can use upto 3GB memory instead of 1GB by default.

How would you check your Exchange configuration settings to see if they're right?
Once your exchange server configuration is done run the tool EXBPA.exc .This will give you the
correct ficture of your exchange organization.

What are the Exchange management tools? How and where can you install them?
To install the Exchange System Management Tools
1. On the dedicated management workstation, insert the Exchange 2003 Setup CD into the
workstation's CD drive, and then locate : \setup\i386\setup.exe.
2. On the Component Selection page, do the following: --Under Component Name, locate
Microsoft Exchange. In the corresponding Action column, select Custom.
--Under Component Name, locate Microsoft Exchange System Management Tools. In the
corresponding Action column, select Install Microsoft Exchange System Management Tools
installation option
3. Click Next, and continue with the wizard.

What types of permissions are configurable for Exchange?

1)Exchange full admin � full control over the exchange organization including permission
2)Exchange Admin � Manage everything within the organization except org permission.
3)Exchange view only administrator � read only administrative access to Exchange
organization
How can you grant access for an administrator to access all mailboxes on a specific
server?
1. Start Exchange System Manager.
2. Drill down to your server object within the appropriate Administrative Group. Right-click it
and choose Properties.
3. In the Properties window go to the Security tab.
4. Click Add, click the user or group who you want to have access to the mailboxes, and then
click OK.
5. Be sure that the user or group is selected in the Name box.
6. In the Permissions list, click Allow next to Full Control, and then click OK.
Note: Make sure there is no Deny checkbox selected next to the Send As and Receive As
permissions.
7. Click Ok all the way out.

What is the Send As permission?

Send As Permission means user A will be able to access the mail box of user B and reply back
to those mail. Even though user A has replied to the mail, the send address will display user b
email.

What other management tools are used to manage and control Exchange 2003?
Name the tools you'd use.
Active Directory Account Cleanup Wizard (adclean.exe)

You created a mailbox for a user, yet the mailbox does not appear in ESM. Why?
Genrally, when you create a mailbox for a user. The user's e-mail address will be updated in
the GAL. During the regular update interval. But in order for you to be able to view the mail
box. The user has to access the Exchange server (either through MS outlook or OWA). Then
you will be able to view the user's mail box.

What are Query Based Distribution groups?

A query-based distribution group is a new additional type of distribution group in Exchange
2003. This new type of distribution group provides the same functionality as a standard
distribution group; however, instead of specifying static user memberships, a query-based
distribution group allows you to use an LDAP query to dynamically build membership in the
distribution group (for example All employees with a special group membership). Using query-
based distribution groups we can reduce the administration costs dramatically. However a
Query-based Distribution Group needs more Server resources like CPU power and RAM.

What type of groups would you use when configuring distribution groups in a
multiple domain forest?
create a Universal Distribution Group.

What are System Public Folders? Where would you find them?
In Exchange Server 2003, public folders can be used to share information between a group of
users. In smaller organizations where only one Exchange server is typically installed, one
public folder instance can exist.
Click Start, All Programs, Microsoft Exchange, and then select Exchange System Manager.
Exchange System Manager opens. In the left pane, expand the Public Folders container. All
existing folders in the public folder tree are displayed.

How can you immediately stop PF replication?

right-clicking the Organization name in Exchange System Management and clicking Stop Public
Folder Content Replication

What types of PF management tools might you use?

PFDAVADMIN Tool

What are the differences between administrative permissions and client permissions
in PF?

How can you configure PF replication from the command prompt in Exchange 2003?
PFMIGRATE allows you to move a bunch of Public Folders from an Exchange Server to an
Exchange 2003 Server from the command line.PFMIGRATE.WSF is a Script, which is located on
the Exchange 2003 CD and the Exchange 2003 SP1 under SUPPORT\EXDEPLOY.
PFMIGRATE requires ONE Exchange 2003 Server in your Enterprise because PFMIGRATE uses
specific WMI functions from Exchange 2003.
The syntax is simple:
To move System Folders
PFMIGRATE.WSF /S:SourceServer /T:DestinationServer /SF /A /N
:100 /F:C:\LOGFILE.LOG
To move Public Folders
PFMIGRATE.WSF /S:SourceServer /T:DestinationServer /A /N:100
/F:C:\LOGFILE.LOG
To remove Public Folders after succesful Replication
PFMIGRATE.WSF /S:SourceServer /T:DestinationServer /D

What are the configuration options in IMF?

First of all, IMF needs to be enabled because it's not by default. To enable, from ESM go to
Global Settings and right click on Message Delivery. Click on the "Intelligence Nessage Filter"
tab, and change from "No Action" to "Archive". Also, enable the IMF on the Virtual SMTP
server by right clicking on the default SMTP server and clicking on properties, then Advanced
tab, then click on edit. Now you can check on the "Apply IMF" tab.
There are two options in configuring Intelligence Message Filter (IMF):Gateway Blocking
Configuration - this is where the messages will be blocked at the server, and the users will not
even see them. Store Junk E-mail Configuration - this is where the messages will be delivered
to the user's Outlook and stored in their Junk Email folder (Outlook 2003 in cached mode only,
or OWA).

What are virtual servers? When would you use more than one?
Exchange Virtual Server is a clustered Exchange installation. When Exchange is installed on a
Windows Server 2003 cluster, it is configured as an Exchange Virtual Server that can be
passed between cluster nodes transparently to Exchange clients.
1. SMTP Virtual Server,
2. HTTP Virtual Server,
3.POP3 Virtual Server,
4. IMAP4 Virtual Server and so on

Name some of the SMTP Virtual Server configuration options.

The following table lists important configuration information that Exchange Server 2003 stores
for SMTP virtual servers in Active Directory.

Important Active Directory attributes for SMTP virtual servers

msExchServerBindings -Specifies the Internet Protocol (IP) port binding for Secure Sockets
Layer (SSL) connections.
msExchAuthenticationFlags -Indicates which type of authentication this SMTP virtual server
accepts.
msExchMaxIncomingConnections -Specifies the maximum number of inbound connections
allowed for this SMTP virtual server.
msExchLogType -Specifies the log formats that this SMTP virtual server uses for protocol
logging.
msExchAccessSSLFlags -Identifies the type of encrypted channel that this SMTP virtual server
supports.

What is a Mail Relay? Name a few known mail relay software or hardware options.
Often referred to as an e-mail server, a device and/or program that routes an e-mail to the
correct destination. Mail relays are typically used within local networks to transmit e-mails
among local users. (For example, all of the student and faculty e-mail of a college campus.)
Mail relays are particularly useful in e- mail aliasing where multiple e-mail addresses are used
but the mail relay forwards all messages to the specified e-mail addresses to one single
address.
A mail relay is different than an open relay, where an e-mail server processes a mail message
that that neither originates or ends with a user that is within the server�s local domain (i.e.,
local IP range).
Mail relay Softwares:
1.NoticeWare Email Server 4.3
2. Flash Mailer 20.

What is a Smart Host? Where would you configure it?

What are Routing Groups? When would you use them?

What are the types of Connectors you can use in Exchange?

What is the cost option in Exchange connectors?

What is the Link State Table? How would you view it?

How would you configure mail transfer security between 2 routing groups?

What is the Routing Group Master? Who holds that role?

Explain the configuration steps required to allow Exchange 2003

to send and receive email from the Internet (consider a one-site multiple server
scenario).

What is DS2MB?

What is Forms Based Authentication?

How would you configure OWA's settings on an Exchange server?

What is DSACCESS?

What are Recipient Policies?

How would you work with multiple recipient policies?

What is the "issue" with trying to remove email addresses added

by recipient policies? How would you fix that?

What is the RUS?

When would you need to manually create additional RUS?

What are Address Lists?

How would you modify the filter properties of one of the default address lists?

How can you create multiple GALs and allow the users to only see the one related to
them?

What is a Front End server? In what scenarios would you use one?
What type of authentication is used on the front end servers?

When would you use NLB?

How would you achieve incoming mail redundancy?

What are the 4 types of Exchange backups?

What is the Dial-Tone server scenario?

When would you use offline backup?

How do you re-install Exchange on a server that has crashed but with AD intact?

What is the dumpster?

What are the e00xxxxx.log files?

What is the e00.chk file?

What is circular logging? When would you use it?

What's the difference between online and offline defrag?

How would you know if it is time to perform an offline defrag of your Exchange
stores?

How would you plan for, and perform the offline defrag?

What is the eseutil command?

What is the isinteg command?

How would you monitor Exchange's services and performance? Name 2 or 3 options.

Name all the client connection options in Exchange 2003.

What is Direct Push? What are the requirements to run it?

How would you remote wipe a PPC?

What are the issues with connecting Outlook from a remote computer to your
mailbox?

How would you solve those issues? Name 2 or 3 methods

What is RPC over HTTP? What are the requirements to run it?

What is Cached Mode in OL2003/2007?

What are the benefits and "issues" when using cached mode? How would you tackle
those issues?
What is S/MIME? What are the usage scenarios for S/MIME?

What are the IPSec usage scenarios for Exchange 2003?

How do you enable SSL on OWA?

What are the considerations for obtaining a digital certificate for SSL on Exchange?

Name a few 3rd-party CAs.

What do you need to consider when using a client-type AV software on an Exchange

server?

What are the different clustering options in Exchange 2003? Which one would you
choose and why.

What is latest service pack for exchange 2003?

Can exchange 2003 be installed on a Domain Controller,

is it recommended explain why you would or would not do this.

Why exchange needs transaction logs?

How many SG (storage Group) up to Exchange support (I am expecting to be asked

what version here)

How Many MS (Mail Stores) in each SG?

What is the size of Transaction logs?

Is it possible to rename an Exchange server?

What is a Query base distribution Group?

What utility you would use the repair Exchange database (If a database is in a "Dirty
Shutdown" state)

Name of the Default Exchange databases

If client is telling you they are receiving, Outlook is retrieving data from
exchange server" how can you trouble shoo the issue

What port SMTP protocol use

What is RFC for SMTP ( this is just for shake up)

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Technical Interview Questions – Exchange 2003

• Tell me a bit about the capabilities of Exchange Server.
• What are the different Exchange 2003 versions?
• What's the main differences between Exchange 5.5 and Exchange 2000/2003?
• What are the major network infrastructure for installing Exchange 2003?
• What is the latest Exchange 2003 Service Pack? Name a few changes in
functionality in that SP.
• What are the disk considerations when installing Exchange (RAID types,
locations and so on).
• You got a new HP DL380 (2U) server, dual Xeon, 4GB of RAM, 7 SAS disks,
64-bit. What do you do next to install Exchange 2003? (you have AD in place)
• Why not install Exchange on the same machine as a DC?
• Are there any other installation considerations?
• How would you prepare the AD Schema in advance before installing Exchange?
• What type or permissions do you need in order to install the first Exchange server
in a forest? In a domain?
• How would you verify that the schema was in fact updated?
• What type of memory optimization changes could you do for Exchange 2003?
• How would you check your Exchange configuration settings to see if they're
right?
• What are the Exchange management tools? How and where can you install them?
• What types of permissions are configurable for Exchange?
• How can you grant access for an administrator to access all mailboxes on a
specific server?
• What is the Send As permission?
• What other management tools are used to manage and control Exchange 2003?
Name the tools you'd use.
• What are Exchange Recipient types? Name 5.
• You created a mailbox for a user, yet the mailbox does not appear in ESM. Why?
• You wanted to change mailbox access permissions for a mailbox, yet you see the
SELF permission alone on the permissions list. Why?
• What are Query Based Distribution groups?
• What type of groups would you use when configuring distribution groups in a
multiple domain forest?
• Name a few configuration options for Exchange recipients.
• What's the difference between Exchange 2003 Std. and Ent. editions when related
to storage options and size?
• Name a few configuration options related to mailbox stores.
• What are System Public Folders? Where would you find them?
• How would you plan and configure Public Folder redundancy?
• How can you immediately stop PF replication?
• How can you prevent PF referral across slow WAN links?
• What types of PF management tools might you use?
• What are the differences between administrative permissions and client
permissions in PF?
• How can you configure PF replication from the command prompt in Exchange
2003?
• What are the message hygiene options you can use natively in Exchange 2003?
• What are the configuration options in IMF?
• What are virtual servers? When would you use more than one?
• Name some of the SMTP Virtual Server configuration options.
• What is a Mail Relay? Name a few known mail relay software or hardware
options.
• What is a Smart Host? Where would you configure it?
• What are Routing Groups? When would you use them?
• What are the types of Connectors you can use in Exchange?
• What is the cost option in Exchange connectors?
• What is the Link State Table? How would you view it?
• How would you configure mail transfer security between 2 routing groups?
• What is the Routing Group Master? Who holds that role?
• Explain the configuration steps required to allow Exchange 2003 to send and
receive email from the Internet (consider a one-site multiple server scenario).
• What is DS2MB?
• What is Forms Based Authentication?
• How would you configure OWA's settings on an Exchange server?
• What is DSACCESS?
• What are Recipient Policies?
• How would you work with multiple recipient policies?
• What is the "issue" with trying to remove email addresses added by recipient
policies? How would you fix that?
• What is the RUS?
• When would you need to manually create additional RUS?
• What are Address Lists?
• How would you modify the filter properties of one of the default address lists?
• How can you create multiple GALs and allow the users to only see the one related
to them?
• What is a Front End server? In what scenarios would you use one?
• What type of authentication is used on the front end servers?
• When would you use NLB?
• How would you achieve incoming mail redundancy?
• What are the 4 types of Exchange backups?
• What is the Dial-Tone server scenario?
• When would you use offline backup?
• How do you re-install Exchange on a server that has crashed but with AD intact?
• What is the dumpster?
• What are the e00xxxxx.log files?
• What is the e00.chk file?
• What is circular logging? When would you use it?
• What's the difference between online and offline defrag?
• How would you know if it is time to perform an offline defrag of your Exchange
stores?
• How would you plan for, and perform the offline defrag?
• What is the eseutil command?
• What is the isinteg command?
• How would you monitor Exchange's services and performance? Name 2 or 3
options.
• Name all the client connection options in Exchange 2003.
• What is Direct Push? What are the requirements to run it?
• How would you remote wipe a PPC?
• What are the issues with connecting Outlook from a remote computer to your
mailbox?
• How would you solve those issues? Name 2 or 3 methods
• What is RPC over HTTP? What are the requirements to run it?
• What is Cached Mode in OL2003/2007?
• What are the benefits and "issues" when using cached mode? How would you
tackle those issues?
• What is S/MIME? What are the usage scenarios for S/MIME?
• What are the IPSec usage scenarios for Exchange 2003?
• How do you enable SSL on OWA?
• What are the considerations for obtaining a digital certificate for SSL on
Exchange?
• Name a few 3rd-party CAs.
• What do you need to consider when using a client-type AV software on an
Exchange server?
• What are the different clustering options in Exchange 2003? Which one would
you choose and why.