Server 2003 Terminal Server

[MattTheTech]

I have been experimenting with Server 2003, and reading as much as I can about it, but I am getting some vague answers to this question:

Can terminal server be used in Server 2003, to allow users from anywhere on the internet (employees out of the office.. travelling etc...) to check their mail with the built-in email server that 2003 has?

 

[spyordie007]

no wonder you are getting vague answers, you have asked a vague question. It sounds like you still have quite a bit to learn before you start administrating e-mail servers.

On we go with your question.

Windows 2003 server does have a Terminal Server built in
Windows 2003 server does have an e-mail server built-in (pop3/smtp)

All that is required to check e-mail on the server is a pop3/smtp capable e-mail client (just about every mail client is). Users anywhere (assuming their connectivity) could check their e-mail by means of their mail client.

If the did not have ready access to a mail client one could be installed on the server and users could terminal serve into the server and run the client from within their remote session however this is not going to be ideal.

Hope that's enough to get you started, good luck.

-Spy

 

[MattTheTech]

Yes I do, but I'm working on it

Well I was under the impression that the built in mail server was completely internal, and that users could only check it if they were connected to the server through the domain.

If that is the case, it is a 'full fledged' mail server (linked to an isp), so yes that sounds like quite a better solution Does exchange always work the same way? (for when that is used instead)

 

[bozo1]

The built in mail service can be accessed by any POP3 client - no need to be domain authenticated. However, it is just a simple POP3 server - no shared folders, calenders, etc., like Exchange has.

With Exchange, you can do the shared stuff, etc., and you can hit it remotely using Outlook Web Access (which is really nice in 2003 compared to earlier versions) or if you pair it with Outlook 2003, you can hit the server over the internet natively just like in the office without having to use VPN or resorting to POP3 or Outlook Web Access.

If you have less than 75 users and plan not to grow over that number, take a look at Small Business Server. SBS Standard Edition includes Exchange and 5 user licenses for $599 list - $99 for each user over 5. MUCH cheaper than purchasing the server and Exchange products separately. ($1499 for the Premium Edition which includes SQL Server and ISA Server)

 

[MattTheTech]

Well I allready have the copy of Server 2003 Standard

The built-in mail server should work nicely for my needs.

The only other 'feature' I need to figure out is the best way for people to access files on a share from anywhere on the internet.