Active Directory, 4th Edition

Chapter 32. Scripting Basic Exchange 2003 Tasks

In this chapter, we will show you how to automate manipulating some of the basic Exchange settings, specifically concerning users (and by extension inetOrgPersons), groups, and contacts. Although tools to manage Exchange settings already exist (e.g., Active Directory Users and Computers), scripting allows you quickly handle mailbox-enabling or moving thousands of users based on whatever business logic you require. Simple scripts can take the place of Exchange migration or management utilities that you would possibly otherwise need to purchase.

Note

This chapter covers Exchange 2003. The concepts presented in this chapter will generally not work with Exchange 2007. Since there are still a very large number of Exchange 2003 deployments, we’ve elected to leave this chapter in the 4th Edition. Chapter 33 covers the concepts discussed in this chapter with respect to Exchange 2007.

Notes on Managing Exchange

Managing Exchange is a little different from managing most other Microsoft applications. The computer where you run the tools or scripts must be a member of a domain in the forest where the Exchange organization resides; this is true whether you are using a script or the GUI. Also, Exchange doesn’t allow you to select other organizations to manage. This can be troublesome for someone managing multiple Exchange organizations, or a mobile worker who moves between sites or companies and likes to run her workstation in workgroup mode instead ...