PC Gen: FAQ - Implementing Electronic Mail under Windows 95 (139352)

SUMMARY

Below is a list of frequently asked questions and the answers about implementing mail and scheduling products using the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system.

1. Q. Will the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client transfer mail with a version 3.x Microsoft Mail for PC Networks postoffice?
   
   A. Yes. The Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client can install the Microsoft Mail service provider. When this provider is installed, the Microsoft Exchange client can access either a Microsoft Windows for Workgroups postoffice (WGPO) or a version 3.x of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks postoffice.
2. Q. Does the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client handle remote mail transfer?
   
   A. Yes. The Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client using the Microsoft Mail service provider supports remote mail functionality, including remote header preview, selective message downloading, scheduled mail transfers, local address list download/update, and options for maximizing remote session performance. However, Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client uses a different method of connecting to the postoffice than the proprietary mechanism used by Microsoft Mail Remote for Windows.
   
   Microsoft Exchange connects, logs into, and gets validated on a local area network (LAN) using a Dialup Networking connection to a Microsoft Windows NT or Microsoft Windows 95 Remote Access Service server, a Shiva LanRover, or Novell NetWare Connect remote networking software. The Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client cannot dial into the version 3.x of the External Mail program (EXTERNAL.EXE) to transfer mail with a postoffice.
3. Q. Does the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client handle remote mail transfer to postoffices on Novell servers?
   
   A. Yes. Assuming the following:
   
   
   • 
     
   • A valid remote networking session with the LAN can be established (using one of the connection options mentioned above).
   • The remote Windows 95 workstation is configured to use the Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks.
   • The Microsoft IPX/SPX compatible protocol is bound to the Dial-Up Adapter.
   • The Novell Network performs bindery-based security authentication.
4. Q. What should be considered prior to upgrading an existing Microsoft Mail for PC Networks clients to the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client?
   
   A. Prior to installing the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client, the following should be considered:
   
   
   • Postoffice (PO) pathing. If you access the postoffice via a drive letter, ensure that the drive letter is mapped correctly, and that the PO is accessible within Windows 95 prior to installing the Microsoft Exchange client. When the Microsoft Exchange Setup Wizard prompts you for the path to the PO, specify the correct drive letter and path.
     
     Because Windows 95 supports universal naming convention (UNC) pathing to network resources, UNC is the preferred method. This is now supported to NetWare resources when you use the 32- bit, protect-mode Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks redirector.
     
     The following are examples of UNC syntax to a NetWare resource:

     \\<servername>\<volumename>\<path>
     
     \\NW5_HQ\SYS\MAILDATA

     UNC pathing will not work for NetWare resources if NETX or VLM is the installed redirector for NetWare networks.
   • Postoffice account exists. You should already have a valid account on the PO. After you specify the path to the PO, the Setup Wizard will present a list of user accounts from the PO (assuming the PO is accessible at that time). You will need to select your account from the list and supply the correct password.
   • If a list is not presented, this indicates that the PO was not accessible at the time. You can continue configuring Microsoft Exchange by entering the information manually, or cancel the configuration Wizard and retry at a later time.
   • Location of the PST and PAB. The Microsoft Exchange client's equivalent to the mail message file (MMF) is a <filename>.PST file [Personal Folders]. The MMF contained the Personal Address Book (PAB). Microsoft Exchange now stores this list in a separate file, <filename>.PAB [Personal Address Book]. The Setup Wizard creates these files wherever the user specifies. Generally, it is recommended that the PAB and PST be stored on the local workstation. Optionally the PST could be stored under the PO database's \MMF subdirectory, or other network share.
     
     NOTE: The Microsoft Exchange client user interface (UI) does not provide the functionality to move the PST file.
   • MMF location for conversion. Microsoft Exchange Setup Wizard looks in the MSMAIL.INI [Microsoft Mail] section for the entry OfflineMessages=<path>\<filename>.MMF. If the Setup program finds this entry, and the MMF file exists, the Wizard will present a page for converting the contents of the MMF into the PST and PAB files previously specified. If the MMF is stored on the PO database, this INI entry will not exist, and the Wizard will not present the converter page.
     
     NOTE: The migration process does not alter the MMF, it only reads information from it. Also, any MMF can be migrated at a later time by choosing Import from the File menu. The password of the MMF is required for migration.
   • Strategies for migrating MMFs. Ideally the MMF is moved local prior to installing the Exchange client. The integrity of the MMF is verified by running the CHECKMMF process.
   Notes:
   
   
   • The local hard drive should have 3 times the file size of the MMF available.
   • The migration utility can process a file across the network, but local is faster and exposure to network problems are minimized.
   • It is not recommended that the Mail user leave his or her MMF in the \MMF subdirectory on the PO server, because the file name is an 8 digit <hex-number>.MMF. To determine an user's hex-id on the PO requires special techniques or utilities. This will quickly prove time consuming and inefficient when you upgrade users to the Microsoft Exchange client.
   • Shared folders. The Microsoft Mail service provider that ships with Windows 95 does not support accessing Shared Folders on a version 3.x Microsoft Mail for PC Networks postoffice or a Microsoft Windows for Workgroups postoffice (WGPO). An updated Microsoft Mail service provider (EXUPDUSA.EXE) supporting Shared Folders is available for download.
     
     Large installations that use Shared Folders will want to apply this update to the distribution share point prior to the rollout of Exchange client.
   • Spell checking. Windows 95 Exchange client requires access to a Win32 application's spell checker. It does not install its own spell checker. Microsoft Office 95 and Microsoft Office for Windows NT include a Win32 spell checker. Other third party Win95 applications will likely include options for installing a spell checker into Windows 95.
   • Schedule+ version. Please review the questions regarding Schedule+ later in this document.
   • Microsoft Mail Advanced Security. The Exchange client does not engage Advanced Security (reading an encrypted UNC path embedded in a MAIL.DAT file at launch). You are required to specify the path to the PO in the Profile Setup Wizard during Microsoft Exchange installation.
5. Q. Can the existing version 3.x Microsoft Mail for PC Networks client software continue to run under Windows 95?
   
   A. Yes. The current Microsoft Mail clients, such as Microsoft Mail and Microsoft Mail Remote, are fully supported running under Windows 95. However, the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client offers a more feature rich, unified user interface that is capable of connecting to a variety of additional services.
6. Q. When you upgrade an existing Windows 3.x or Windows for Workgroups (WFW) 3.x workstations to Windows 95, are there any special considerations for maintaining existing version 3.x Microsoft Mail for PC Networks mail configurations?
   
   A. With the exception of the loss of WFW At Work Fax capabilities, no. This assumes that no Microsoft Exchange components are selected for installation during setup. The network administrators should consider how the path to the postoffice is currently established (login script drive mapping, batch file mapping, persistent connection, etc.), and confirm that the current method is valid under Windows 95 networking. Otherwise, the version 3.x of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks client may report that it cannot find the postoffice when you run it.
   
   If any Exchange component is installed, then these component(s) may need to be removed by using the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Windows Setup. The previous Microsoft Mail for PC Networks client software may also require reinstallation.
   
   For information on options for "scripting" and controlling Windows 95 installation options, refer to the "Deployment Planning Guide Installation" and "Appendix - MSBATCH.INF parameters" sections of the Windows 95 Resource Kit help file. This help file can be found on the Windows 95 CD at \ADMIN\RESKIT\HELPFILE\WIN95RK.HLP.
7. Q. What components are common to version 3.x of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks clients and the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client?
   
   A. Two files have the same file names between Microsoft Mail for PC Networks clients and Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client: MSMAIL.INI and MAPI.DLL. When the Microsoft Exchange client components are installed, the Setup program installs the Microsoft Exchange MAPI.DLL into the <windir>\SYSTEM subdirectory, overwriting any existing MAPI.DLL.
   
   Additionally, Setup may migrate certain MSMAIL.INI entries into the registry, MSMAIL32.INI or EXCHNG32.INI files. Setup should leave the MSMAIL.INI intact for backwards compatibility with 16-bit, mail-aware (for example, messaging application programming interface (MAPI)) Windows applications.
8. Q. Can the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client, Microsoft Mail 3.2, and/or Microsoft Mail Remote for Windows be used at the same time?
   
   A. This configuration is not supported. Either the version 3.x Microsoft Mail for PC Networks set of clients or the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client can be functional under Windows 95, but not both.
   
   If you do run both, it could result in file contention issues, possible database corruption on the postoffice, and other complications for remote mail users and mail aware applications.
9. Q. Will version 1.0 of Microsoft Schedule+ for Windows function if the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client is installed?
   
   A. You can still use Schedule+ 1.0 if you have migrated to the Microsoft Exchange client, but the functionality will be diminished. You will be able to use Schedule+ in standalone (off-line) mode, but you will not have the ability to send or receive meeting requests.
   
   For more information, see the Windows 95 EXCHANGE.TXT file.
10. Q. Will Schedule+ 1.0 continue to function normally if the 3.x Microsoft Mail components remain the installed mail components in Windows 95?
    
    A. Yes.
11. Q. Does version 7.0 of Microsoft Schedule+ for Windows 95 require Windows 95 Exchange components?
    
    A. Yes. Schedule+ 7.0 relies on an enhanced messaging API set known as Extended MAPI. Only Microsoft Exchange components provide this API set. Version 3.x of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks supports only simple MAPI.
12. Q. Can Schedule+ 1.0 and Schedule+ 7.0 users share the same Windows for Workgroups postoffice (WGPO) or version 3.x Microsoft Mail for PC Networks version postoffice?
    
    A. Yes.
    
    Notes:
    
    
    • See the Microsoft Office 95 \Schedule\SCREADME.TXT file.
    • Schedule+ 7.0 requires the Microsoft Exchange Windows client to send and receive meeting requests.
    • Schedule+ 7.0 is backwards compatible with Schedule+ 1.0 except that 7.0 users cannot write to Schedule+ 1.0 data files, and Schedule+ 1.0 users cannot read Schedule+ 7.0 data files. The free and busy information can still be viewed.
    • Manager/delegate pairs must use the same version of Schedule+ (for example, both must use either Schedule+ 1.0 or Schedule+ 7.0).
    • Existing Schedule+ administrative utilities in ADMINSCH.EXE are supported, with the exception of the Administration/Clean Up Schedule Files command. This command should not be run on a Microsoft Mail 3.x postoffice with Schedule+ 7.0 users.
13. Q. How will resource accounts function in a mixed Schedule+ environment?
    
    A. If resource accounts are upgraded to 7.0, Schedule+ 1.0 users will only be able to view free/busy information through the Planner. If the resources are upgraded to 7.0, upgrade the resource Assistant also.
    
    If resource accounts remain in 1.0 format, both Schedule+ 1.0 and 7.0 users will be able to see the details of the resource (although 7.0 users only have read access.)
14. Q. Will Microsoft Electronic Forms Designer forms (E-forms) and 16-bit MAPI applications continue to work when the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client is installed?
    
    A. Yes. E-forms or messaging applications that adhere to simple MAPI specifications should continue to function under Windows 95 regardless of whether the system continues to use version 3.x Microsoft Mail for PC Networks or is upgraded to the Microsoft Exchange client/Microsoft Mail service provider. MAPI.DLL included with Microsoft Exchange supports simple MAPI.
15. Q. Will third party add-on products for version 3.x of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks continue to function when the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client is installed?
    
    A. Products that adhere to the simple MAPI specification should continue to function. Other products that exploit or rely on other version 3.x Microsoft Mail for PC Networks specific function calls may not function correctly under Windows 95 and may interfere with the Microsoft Exchange client's functionality.
    
    For additional information, refer to the "Troubleshooting Tips" section of EXCHANGE.TXT in the Windows subdirectory of Windows 95 or contact the manufacturer of the product.
16. Q. Can a single PST and PAB file be shared between multiple Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client profiles?
    
    A. Yes. These files can be shared between a user's multiple profiles, or separate files specified for each profile. A Microsoft Exchange client can mount multiple PST files from within a profile, but it can only mount one PAB within a profile. Generally, it is advised that users create only one PAB, and specify this PAB in all profiles.
17. Q. Can multiple users share the same Windows 95 workstation, use Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client, and keep their mail private, separate, and secure?
    
    A. Yes. The Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client was designed to accommodate a variety of user work scenarios. There are several ways to address the needs mentioned above. Users can password protect their PST files and enable User Profiles on the local machine. However, Server Based Setups offer a more centralized approach to managing single workstation, multi-user scenarios.
    
    For more information, review the "Deployment Planning Guide & Installation" section of Windows 95 Resource Kit help file.
18. Q. Can a single user roam throughout a site, work at various workstations, and still store all his or her mail in a single, secure message file?
    
    A. Yes. There are several ways to approach this requirement. One solution could be as simple as to have the user store his or her password protected PST and PAB file in an accessible location on the network. The user can create a Microsoft Exchange profile that specifies these files at every workstation he or she work from.
    
    However, a better solution would be to implement a Server-Based Setup that enables the retrieval of a much larger set of user desktop/configuration preferences from anywhere on the network, and run this configuration on the current workstation.
    
    For more information, review the "Deployment Planning Guide & Installation" section of Windows 95 Resource Kit help file.
19. Q. Is the MMF conversion to PST/PAB one-way only?
    
    A. Yes. MMF-to-PST/PAB conversion is "one-way" only. However, the conversion process does not alter the MMF. This MMF could be restored as the active MMF to a re-installed version 3.x Microsoft Mail for PC Networks client. However, there is no easy way to retrieve new mail that has spooled into a user's PST(s) while Microsoft Exchange was the active mail client.
20. Q. Where can I find more information about installing and using the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client?
    
    A. The Windows 95 Resource Kit help file's "Communications, Electronic Mail and Microsoft Exchange" section contains information about installing, configuring, and using the Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client. This help file can be found on the Windows 95 CD under the \ADMIN\RESKIT\HELPFILE subdirectory.
    
    Also, context sensitive help is available from within the client by pressing the F1 key.
    
    See also the EXCHANGE.TXT file located in the Windows 95 subdirectory.