Permissions replication is the most common source of public folder problems in organizations that use both Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 and Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server. If users report that they cannot see or access public folders in Microsoft Outlook, problems with permissions replication between the two versions of Exchange Server are frequently to blame. You can avoid these problems if you take steps to make sure that there is consistency between the directory data in both versions of Exchange Server. Also, make sure that you follow recommended practices for setting permissions on public folders.
To illustrate the concepts behind public folder permissions in mixed-mode Exchange Server organizations, this white paper examines the Exchange Server organization of a fictitious company, Woodgrove Bank. When Woodgrove Bank first adds servers that are running Exchange 2000 Server to its organization, it experiences problems when it tries to replicate existing public folders to the new servers. This white paper describes the problems that Woodgrove Bank experiences, the reasons that these problems occur, and how Woodgrove Bank remedies the problems.
This white paper also discusses what occurs when Woodgrove Bank installs Exchange 2000 Server Service Pack 1 (SP1) on its servers that are running Exchange 2000 Server. Exchange 2000 Server SP1 improves the way that public folder permissions replicate between Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 5.5.
Note For step-by-step instructions about how to configure public folders when you first install Exchange 2000 Server in an existing Exchange Server 5.5 organization, visit the following Microsoft Web site: