Microsoft Exchange Server is an email and personal information management server that runs on Windows Server. It provides a collaboration environment for secure messaging inside and outside an organisation. It also supports group scheduling capabilities, discussion groups, team folders, mobile and web access, and a host of other features.
Microsoft Exchange Server, the cornerstone of Microsoft’s Unified Communications solution, is a flexible and reliable messaging platform that can help you lower your messaging costs by 50-80%, increase productivity with anywhere access to business communications, and safeguard your business with protection and compliance capabilities that help you manage risk.
Both editions of Microsoft Exchange Server require 64-bit (x64) computers (Intel EM64T or AMD64), which makes more efficient use of memory and storage than older 32-bit computers. If your server does not support x64 software, you may request a donation of Microsoft Exchange Server and downgrade to the previous version through Microsoft’s Volume Licencing Service Centre.
Licensing
Microsoft Exchange Server is a server application, not a server operating system. It must be used along with a server operating system, such as Microsoft Windows Server. For each instance of Exchange Server, you must also have a Microsoft Windows Server license.
- For each server software licence you receive, you may run one instance of Microsoft Exchange in one physical or virtual operating system environment on the licensed server.
- You may run or otherwise use any number of the Exchange Management Tools software in physical or virtual operating system environments on any number of devices. You may use those instances only with Microsoft Exchange Server. Use of any instance with Microsoft Exchange Server may be direct, indirect or through additional software.
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server provides a collaboration environment that delivers secure messaging capabilities to recipients inside and outside an organisation. Besides being a powerful email server, it supports group scheduling capabilities, discussion groups, team folders, mobile and web access, and a host of other features.
The only significant difference between the Standard and Enterprise Editions is the number of mailbox databases each edition allows.
Microsoft Exchange Server Standard Edition SP1
Microsoft Exchange Server Standard Edition is designed for small-to-medium-sized organisations. It is limited to five databases. Larger organisations should consider Microsoft Exchange Server Enterprise Edition.
Client Access Licences (CALs)
A Microsoft Exchange Server device or user client access licence (CAL) is required for each device (computer, phone, tablet, etc) or user accessing or using Microsoft Exchange Server. Through Connecting Up, Microsoft donates both standard and enterprise user and device CALs.
You do not need CALs for:
- Up to two devices or users to access Microsoft Exchange for the purpose of administering Exchange Server.
- Any user or device that accesses your instances of Microsoft Exchange without being directly or indirectly authenticated by Active Directory.
In addition to a Microsoft Exchange Server CAL, each user or device will also require a Microsoft Windows Server user or device CAL to connect to Microsoft Exchange Server.
User Client Access Licence (CALs)
Microsoft Exchange Server User CALs authorise one user to access Microsoft Exchange Server on any number of devices.
Microsoft Exchange Server User CAL – Standard
Microsoft Exchange Server Standard User Client Access Licence (CAL) authorizes a user to access Microsoft Exchange Server from any device (for example, when an employee accesses the server from a computer at work and another at home). It is valid for Microsoft Exchange Server Enterprise and Microsoft Exchange Server Standard editions, as well as previous versions of Microsoft Exchange Server.