2.8 Windows policies

A Windows policy is a collection of rules that define how configuration settings are applied to Active Directory objects of the same class. Policies can be used on all Active Directory objects, including Exchange objects. Policies enhance the administrator s ability to manage large numbers of Active Directory objects by controlling sets of configuration settings. For example, an administrator could create a policy to change the configuration settings for Exchange servers and then easily apply the revised policy to all servers.

There are two types of Windows policies:

• System policies. System policies are used to manage Exchange objects, such as servers and information stores. System policies are listed in the Policies container under the organization or administrative group containers. Exchange supports three types of objects:

  • Mailbox Store Policies are found on the General, Database, and Limits tabs.

  • Public Folder Store Policies are found on the General, Database, Replication, and Limits tabs.

  • Server Policies are found on the General tab.

• Recipient policies. Recipient policies are used to generate e-mail addresses for mail-enabled objects, such as user accounts, distribution lists, and custom recipients. Recipient policies are listed in the Recipient Policies container under the Recipients container. (See Chapter 8 for a description of recipient policies.)

Creating a server policy

The following procedure can be used to create a new server policy in an administrative group.

1. Start ESM from the Windows Start menu by selecting All Programs ?Microsoft Exchange ?System Manager.

2. Open the Administrative Groups container.

3. Before you can add a new...