Exchange Server 2007 Interview Questions & Answers - Overview

Below Interview Questions and Answers are related to Exchange Server 2007 Overview. I updated this with Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1, Server Pack 2 and Service Pack 3 details. Leave your comments if any details needed

1. What is Exchange Server 2007?

Exchange Server 2007 is the next version of Exchange 2003 provides reliable messaging system, with built in protection against spam and virus. Using Exchange 2007, users in an organization can access e-mail, voice mail, calendars, and contacts from a wide variety of devices and from any location

2. What are same between Exchange 2000/2003 and Exchange Server 2007?

• Core database architecture of exchange 2000/2003 versus Exchange Server 2007 is same; both are using the same JET EDB database as the database file


• Exchange 2007 still has the concept of a Mailbox server where EDBs are stored; Storage groups remain the same where databases are created.


• Users can use the Microsoft Outlook client and can access Exchange using OWA.


• Exchange 2007 still uses the VSS Backup application programming interface (API) to freeze the state of the Exchange database to perform a backup of the Exchange database.

3. What’s missing in Exchange Server 2007 that was in Previous Versions and What’s new in Exchange 2007?

• The STM database introduced in Exchange 2000 has been removed; Microsoft incorporated the streaming database into a new single EDB database file.


• From administration point, Administrative group and Routing Group introduced in Exchange 2000 have removed.


• Microsoft noted that Public Folder is deemphasized in Exchange 2007. Not completely removed.


• New Exchange Administration Tool


• Exchange Scripting Language


• Removal of Front end and Bridgehead Severs with new Server roles


• Runs only X64 bit platform

4. What’s new in Exchange Management console? What is Exchange Management Shell?

EMC looks similar to Exchange System Manager; Exchange 2007 now organizes objects as a whole. Administrator can see all users, all servers, and all resources in the Exchange organization in a single view. The Exchange administrator can regroup users, computers, and resources into smaller delegation groups.

Exchange Management Shell: It is a command line utility introduced in Exchange server 2007, which provides an administrator the ability to configure, administer, and manage an Exchange 2007 server environment using text commands instead of using a graphical user interface (GUI).

5. What are the security features introduced in exchange server 2007?

Edge Transport Server – New Server role placed on the Edge of the Network, functionalities includes virus and spam blocking, perform antivirus and anti-spam filtering, and route the messages internal to the organization.

Hub Transport Server – replaced the bridgehead server, having Transport rules and act as a policy compliance server.

TLS – includes server to server Transport Layer Security for server to server message transport with a secured manner. It’s an Encryption technology.

Encryption – by default Exchange 2007 encrypts the content between exchange server 2007 and outlook 2007 client. Provides full support for certificate based PKI.

6. What are the high availability features introduced in Exchange server 2007?

Exchange 2007 comes up with the 4 new High Availability models named as LCR, CCR, SCC and SCR, where all these technologies uses the log file shipping and replaying to maintain a passive copy of the Active Database

• Local Continuous Replication – Active Copy of the mailbox database is replicated to other copy as a Passive Database on the same server.


• Cluster Continuous Replication – Active copy of mailbox database is replicated to passive server. Where Active Server hold the active Database and Passive Server hold the passive database. Cluster configuration is needed to implement CCR.


• Single Copy Cluster – SCC is a clustered mailbox server that uses shared storage to allow multiple servers to manage a single copy of the storage groups. This is similar to clustering in previous versions of Exchange Server


• Standby Continuous Replication - SCR uses the same log shipping and replay technology used by local continuous replication (LCR) and CCR to provide added deployment options and configurations to replicate the data to remote sites.

Also we have the Snapshot Backup high availability options which will be supported by third party vendors

7. Inform the Exchange server 2007 Roles and their functions?

Edge Transport Server Role – Edge Transport Server Roles sits at the edge of the network and it has to be installed on a standalone server. It performs a number of functions including Anti-spam and Anti-virus protection. The Edge Transport uses connection filtering, content filtering, recipient filtering, SenderID, sender and IP reputation to reduce the amount of Spam delivered to the end users inbox

Hub Transport Server Role – Responsible for internal mail flow which replaced the bridgehead server in exchange server 2003

Client Access Server Role – Similar to front end server in exchange server 2003, handles all the client connection from outlook, mobile device and a web browser

Mailbox Server Role – Replaced the Backend server in exchange server 2003, holds the mailboxes and Public Folder Database. Internal MAPI clients directly connect to Mailbox Server to access the emails.

Unified Messaging Server Role – The Unified Messaging role is responsible for merging your VOIP infrastructure with your Exchange organization, which provides a combined voice emails, Fax emails and normal emails in one inbox.

8. Explain Edge Transport Role in Short?

The Edge Transport Server Role is to transfer mails from inside of your organization to the outside world and to receive external email to your organization. This role installed on the edge of your network (perimeter Network) and the purpose is to prevent your exchange server from all kinds of attack. Must have ports 25 (SMTP) and 50636 (LDAPS) open from Edge to the Hub on the internal LAN.  Port 25 is to send mail in.  Port 50636 is to sync the ldap queries from Edge to internal active directory.

9. Explain Hub Transport Role in short?

The Main Purpose of the Hub Transport Server Role is to transfer the mails throughout your exchange environment; this server role is responsible for internal mail flow. This can be used as an edge transport server by installing Anti-spam agents. This must be the first role installed in Exchange 2007.  You can install the client access server role and the mailbox server role at the same time as the hub transport role, but not before.

10. Explain Client Access Server Role in short?

The Client Access server handles all connections whether they come from an application such as Outlook 2003 or 2007, Outlook Express, or any other MAPI, POP3 or IMAP4 client. The Client Access server also handles connections made from mobile devices such as a Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone, or any other device using Exchange ActiveSync.

11. Explain Mailbox Server Role?

Mailbox Server holds the Mailbox database and Public folder databases for your organization. It only retains the mailbox and it won’t transfer your mails. Transferring mails between your mailbox servers are handled by Hub Transport servers. The mailbox server roles will be introduced only after the installation of Hub Transport Server and Client Access Server Roles. If we are installing Mailbox server with the clustering options like CCR or SCC, then no other server roles to be installed with this server role.

12. Explain Unified Messaging Server Role?

Functions as the interface point for the VOIP gateway or IP-PBX phone system. UM Role uses the user mailboxes to be the single point for storage and access of emails, voice mail and fax messages.

13. Difference between Standard and Enterprise edition of Exchange server 2007

Exchange Server 2007 Enterprise Edition

50 storage group / 5 Database in single storage group – Maximum of 50 Database, Recommended having 1 database per storage group, Clustering high availability techniques will be supported

Exchange Server 2007 Standard Edition

5 storage group / 5 Database in single storage group – Maximum of 5 Database, we can implement Local Continuous Replication

14. What are the supportable client connections available in Client Access Server?

Outlook Web Access (OWA), Exchange ActiveSync, Outlook Anywhere (formerly RPC over HTTP), Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3), Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP4), MAPI (Outlook)

15. Give a short explanation on the two special services available in CAS?

Autodiscover service—The Auto discover service allows clients to determine their Synchronization settings (such as Mailbox server and so on) by entering in their SMTP address and their credentials. It is supported across standard OWA connections.

Availability service—The Availability service is the replacement for Free/Busy functionality in Exchange 2000/2003. It is responsible for making a user’s calendar availability visible to other users making meeting requests.

16. What is Exchange Active sync?

ActiveSync provides for synchronized access to email from a handheld device, such as a Pocket PC or other Windows Mobile device. It allows for real-time send and receives functionality to and from the handheld, through the use of push technology.

17. What is Outlook Anywhere?

Outlook Anywhere (previously known as RPC over HTTP) is a method by which a full Outlook client can dynamically send and receive messages directly from an Exchange server over an HTTP or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) web connection. This allows for virtual private network (VPN)–free access to Exchange data, over a secured HTTPS connection.

18. How the mail flow happen in Exchange Server 2007?

Below shows a short notes on the mail flow, where the email came from external domain and reaching the user mailbox.

• An incoming message from the Internet first goes to the Edge Transport server.


• The Edge Transport server performs first-level recipient validation as well as spam and virus filtering. The message is then passed on to the Hub Transport server.


• The Hub Transport server performs compliance content assessment and then looks at the internal routing for messages and forwards the message to another Hub Transport server or directly to a Mailbox server.


• The Mailbox server places the incoming message into the user’s mailbox and notifies the user that a message has arrived.


• The user launches Outlook, OWA, their Windows Mobile device, or another client System and connects to the Client Access server. The Client Access server confirms the destination point of the user’s mailbox and provides the user access to their mailbox data.


• In parallel, if a voice mail message comes in for a user, the Unified Messaging server processes the incoming voice message, and then takes the message and places the voice message into the user’s mailbox residing on the Mailbox server for the recipient.

19. What is Mail Exchange Record?

A mail exchange (MX) specifies a mail forwarder or delivery server for SMTP servers. MX records are the cornerstone of a successful Internet mail routing strategy.

20. File structures in exchange server 2007?

.CHK – check point file, keeps track of which transactional logs moves into database files. Keep on check the log file entering the database in a current order

.LOG - 2 types of transactional logs –

1. Current Transactional log – eoo.log file which write the current transactions into transactional logs. If it reaches 1 MB, it will rename the log file into E00000001.log

2. Transactional log - If Current Transactional log reaches 1 MB , it will rename the log file into E00000001.log

.EDB – Stores the database files

Temp.EDB – Temporary database file, which will process the transactional logs that are to be to write in .EDB Database file

.JRS – Reserved Log files – if the size of the disk is full and you can’t write any mails as transactional logs these files will help into action

21. Explain the difference between Exchange Management shell and windows Power shell?

The Exchange Management Shell is based on Microsoft Power Shell, which provides access to all .NET objects and classes. When the administrator installs Exchange Server 2007, the setup program automatically installs the .NET Framework and Power Shell. It also installs all the Exchange 2007 specific cmdlets. These cmdlets were written by the Exchange 2007 team to perform Exchange-specific tasks. There are over 350 cmdlets unique to Exchange and each cmdlet has its own set of help.

22. What is Address spoofing?

One tool that is commonly used by the distributors of both viruses and spam is known as address spoofing. By changing the From line in a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) message, users can often be fooled into opening a message that they think is from a friend or co-worker, only to find that the message originated somewhere else entirely. This method has been especially effective in the distribution of email worms. Because the message appears to come from a known associate, and often has an intriguing Subject line, the unwitting recipient opens the message and, if not properly protected, becomes a distributor of the virus to others.

23. What is Phishing?

Over the past several years, a relatively new type of fraudulent email has emerged. Known as phishing, this attack comes in the form of an official looking email message, often appearing to be from a reputable organization, such as a credit card company or a large electronics retailer. The message usually contains a link that, once clicked, brings up an official looking website—often an exact replica of the official site that is being mimicked. However, the fraudulent site has one purpose, to fool you into giving away personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers. With this information in hand, the offending party can steal your identity, make charges to your credit card, or otherwise profit from your loss.

24. How to install an Edge transport Server?

• Edge Transport Should not be included in Active Directory


• Should be installed in a Standalone Server


• Edge Transport Should not be Part of the domain


• ADAM Should be installed


• Pre requisites .Net framework, Windows Management Shell, MMC 3.0 to be installed


• Two networks cards

25. What are the options available in Edge transport Server to configure?

• Anti Spam / Anti Virus


• Transport Rules and Accepted Domain


• Address Rewriting

26. What is Edge Sync in Exchange Server 2007?

Edge Sync – it’s a one way replication from Hub Transport Server to Edge Transport Server, while Edge Sync happens the recipient configuration will be replicated from Active Directory to ADAM in Edge Transport Server

26. What is Address Rewriting?

Address Rewriting Agent runs in Edge Transport Server. The main purpose of Edge Transport Server is to rewrite the Address the address to some other address. This plays an important role, consider if there are 5 Sub domain inside a forest and the entire sub domain want send mail outside with a unique address space.

27. Explain the transactional logs exchange server 2007?

Once the mail comes into the exchange server it writes the mails as transactional logs and also the same in system memory simultaneously. What the transactional log will do in the sense, it will hold the mails for a while until the mailbox database is freed up. The transactional logs are 1 MB in size and if the mail comes with size of 5 MB, the transaction log will first write the 1Mb log and creates a another transactional log, it will write the log files until the mails have completed.

28. Suggest a good Storage solution for Exchange Server?

Operating System: System files to be backed up. RAID 0 or RAID1

Database Files: if we move the database to different disk and if you are making backup the transactional logs will be added into the Backup. Provides better recoverability, RAID5 (Stripe set with Parity)

Transactional Log Files: in order to handle load, it’s good to have Transactional log files in different disk. If both the log file and database file are in same disk, increase performance and reliability. RAID1 (Mirroring)

29. What are the preparation switches used while installing exchange Server 2007? Why?

/prepare legacy exchange permissions – when we are having exchange 2000 or 2003 in our existing environment

/prepare schema – this will add various objects and attributes related to that object

/prepare AD – prepare the current domain and prepare a universal security group for the new exchange 2007 installation

/prepare domain “domain name”– only in the domain on the remote sites, or in the different domain going to have Exchange Server 2007

30. What’s New in Exchange server 2007 Service Pack 1?

• With Exchange Server 2007 Sp1, we have the option to install it windows Server 2008 server and assigning IPv4 and IPv6 are supported


• In regards to Client Access Server Role, We have the option to manage IMAP and POP3 in EMC and improvement in client access proxying and redirection,  Exchange Active Sync Mailbox policy and remote wipe confirmation, OWA monthly calendar view and dumpster access for deleted item recovery,


• In regards to Hub and Edge Transport Server role, Priority queuing, transport rules in UM emails, message size limit on routing group connectors, Edge Sync test using Test-EdgeSynchronization etc


• In regards with Mailbox Server role, we have new public folder management console, ability to import and export mailbox as a .pst files


• In regards to High Availability, we have new high availability feature called Standby Continuous Replication, support for multi subnet failover clusters (geo cluster).


• In regards to Unified Message Server role, we have the new features when integrating with office communication server 2007 like Missed call email notification with OCS 2007, Notification of forwarding when leaving voice messages in scenarios where the destination uses call forwarding, Support for recording high-fidelity voice messages in Exchange Unified Messaging .

31. What’s New in Exchange server 2007 Service Pack 2?

• Once Exchange Server 2007 SP2 is installed, we can use windows server backup to take back up and restore exchange server 2007 sp2 databases


• New Exchange Auditing and Audit log repository enable exchange admin to audit occurring in Exchange Servers


• New option to have public folder quota management


• Lot of new exchange commdlets available in exchange server 2007 sp2 for centralize organization settings


• Windows installer 4.5 is required to installed Exchange Server 2007 Sp2

32. What’s New in Exchange server 2007 Service Pack 3?

• With Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3, we have the option to install Exchange 2007 on Windows Server 2008 R2 and the Exchange 2007 management tools can be installed on Windows 7 computers


• Exchange 2007 SP3 includes updates to the Exchange Search (MSSearch) component


• Support for Right-to-Left text in e-mail message disclaimers in a right-to-left language, such as Arabic. In earlier versions of Exchange, when you use a transport rule to create a disclaimer in a right-to-left language on an Exchange 2007 Hub Transport server, the text appears incorrectly when you view it from Outlook 2007


• Active Directory Schema changes for certain UM enabled mailbox attributes


• Password reset using Outlook Web Access

For any issue on this post, please send an Email to Rajkumar.mcitp@outlook.com.