Chapter 20. Documenting an Exchange Server 2003 Environment

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Planning Exchange Server 2003 Documentation

• Benefits of Documentation

• Design and Planning Documentation

• Developing the Migration Documentation

• Exchange Server 2003 Environment Documentation

• Administration and Maintenance Documentation

• Disaster Recovery Documentation

• Performance Documentation

• Security Documentation

• Training Documentation

• Best Practices

Documentation is not only an integral part of the installation or design of an Exchange Server 2003 environment, it is also important for the maintenance, support, and recovery of new or existing environments.

Documentation serves several purposes throughout the life cycle of Exchange Server 2003 and is especially critical on a per-project basis. In the initial stages of a project, it serves to provide a historical record of the options and decisions made during the design process. During the testing and implementation phases, documents such as step-by-step procedures and checklists guide project team members and help ensure that all steps are completed. When the implementation portion of the project is complete, support documentation can play a key role in maintaining the health of the new environment. Support documents include administration and maintenance procedures, checklists, detailed configuration settings, and monitoring procedures.

This chapter is dedicated to providing the breadth and scope of documentation for an Exchange Server 2003 environment. Equally important, it provides considerations and best practices for keeping your messaging environment well documented, maintained, and manageable.