Important Points to Consider before Installing Exchange Server 2019

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Exchange Server 2019 can be viewed as a natural evolution from Exchange 2016, with no radical shifts in the core architecture. However, it introduces noteworthy enhancements in the realms of security, performance, and client-focused features, resulting in a more robust and efficient mailbox management experience. With every iteration of Exchange Server, Microsoft consistently incorporates improvements into its core email infrastructure. As part of this ongoing refinement, Microsoft strongly recommends that users migrate their mailboxes to the latest Exchange version to harness the advantages of its cutting-edge features.

Newer features in Exchange Server 2019: In each aspect of email management, Exchange 2019 has made the following upgrades:

• Email address internationalization: Email addresses that use non-English characters can be routed like emails with English characters only.
• Calendar: Can cancel the events of users that have left the organization.
• Calendar: A new option can show you as away or out of the office in calendar events.
• Calendar: The attendees of the invitation cannot forward the meeting invitation.

Exchange 2019 places an unwavering emphasis on security, introducing an array of innovative features designed to bolster the resilience and safeguard the integrity of mailbox data.

• Windows Server Core support: It takes lesser storage space in the hard disk to deploy the on-premises Exchange. So, it has minimum storage space as the target of hackers.
• No external access to admin centers: New Client Access Rule restricts external access to Exchange Admin Center and Exchange Management Shell.
• TLS 1.2: TLS 1.2 is the default encryption method between client and server connections. All the older encryption algorithms like RC2, 3DES, DES, RC4, and MD5 are no longer supported.

• Better search infrastructure: Exchange 2019 introduces a robust deep search capability. This enhanced search feature empowers users to conduct more comprehensive searches, significantly expanding the scope of indexed items, files, and folders for a more efficient search experience.
• More hardware support: The latest Exchange platform boasts an impressive 256 GB of storage capacity and a formidable 48 CPU cores.

You’ve made the choice to transition from older Exchange Server versions to the cutting-edge Exchange Server 2019. Perhaps you’re even considering a complete migration, retiring the older iteration. However, before embarking on a full-scale deployment, it’s essential to meticulously evaluate several significant checkpoints. The deployment of Exchange Server 2019 represents a transformative shift in your email management approach.

Here are some essential Exchange components to inspect in your current Exchange Server version:

Exchange 2019 supports only two kinds of server roles:

• Mailbox Role: It will handle all the server activities under this role.
• Edge Transport Role: it reduces the attack surface of your Exchange environment. It handles the internet-facing mail flow, etc.

The deployment of Exchange Server 2019 will necessitate modifications to the Active Directory schema to accommodate its supported attributes and objects. If your organization comprises multiple departments and users, it is advisable to engage with the Active Directory management team to initiate the schema update process. Please be prepared for this endeavor to span a significant amount of time, potentially requiring several hours or even days to reach completion.

Microsoft strongly advises performing a thorough schema update test prior to installation and emphasizes the critical importance of backing up your Active Directory.

Transport Layer Certificates are a crucial necessity for secure email communication between clients and servers. These certificates serve as a robust safeguard, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of exchanged data. You have the option to obtain certificates from reputable third-party certificate authorities, which can either be private or self-signed, offering flexibility in meeting your specific security requirements.

• Third-party certificates: Several domain controllers provide certificates that can be seamlessly integrated into your Exchange system, bolstering the security of your email communication. This not only enhances email security but also safeguards your online identity.
• Private certificates: To enhance the security of internal communications within your team and department, obtaining private certificates is a prudent step. However, it’s important to note that external clients and networks may not recognize these private certificates.
• Self-signed certificates: Self-signed certificates function exclusively on a solitary computer; any other interconnected computers will not recognize them unless you manually establish trust in the certificate.

It is advisable to determine the most appropriate certificate for Exchange Server 2019.

Office Online Server allows Outlook on the Web users with Exchange accounts to view attachments without the need for downloading. While Exchange 2019 accounts do not inherently demand this functionality, you have the option to enable it manually.

A Split Domain Name System (DNS) represents a vital capability that allows you to tailor distinct IP address configurations for your organization. These configurations can originate from various sources, including internal, external, or third-party providers. Implementing a Split DNS configuration with Exchange Server 2019 can significantly enhance user experience, ensuring seamless operation following the creation of mailboxes.

Exchange Server 2019 is accessible to various Outlook clients. The following is a list:

• Outlook 2013.
• Outlook 2016.
• Outlook 2019.
• Outlook 2021.
• Outlook for Mac 2016.
• Outlook for Mac for Office 365.

To ensure the optimal user experience for Exchange 2019 mailboxes, it is imperative that all applications are kept up-to-date with the latest service packs.

Once you’ve successfully installed Exchange Server 2019, you gain the flexibility to seamlessly migrate mailboxes between on-premises and Office 365, ensuring a smooth transition in either direction. This powerful solution offers a unified environment and a consistent user experience for both on-premises and Exchange Online users, simplifying the management and operation of your email infrastructure.

Conclusion

Before proceeding with the installation of Exchange 2019, it is essential to thoroughly review and verify certain aspects of your Exchange Server environment. Carefully evaluating these components will simplify the process of confirming that your hardware and software prerequisites for Exchange are met, as well as streamline the assignment of necessary permissions.