I was planning on using exchange as an internal intranet mail server for two or three local computers. I wish to continue to use a mail server hosted by my ISP and would like to retrieve the email directly from them. Most setup tutorials I have found mention hosting an internet domain name, which I do not have the bandwidth or infrastructure for. Is it possible to do this and can you recommend a good tutorial? I will be using Exchange 2010 on Server 2008 R2. PS. I have no experience of Exchange. Regards

I dont think it's very cost effective to setup Exchange for just 2 or 3 people. Exchange requires Active Directory and it's not something I would tell an inexperienced person to just go deploy in their environment. It needs to be managed and there are a lot of moving parts. If you did want to go that route I would recommend Small Business Server which comes with Exchange and Sharepoint and I think some versions have ISA/TMG and a not sure about other stuff. But someone else can probably point you in the right direction for that if you decide to go that route. Side note, if you are just looking for some Exchange functions, like shared calendars, etc Microsoft BPOS or I think it's called Office 365 now can provide you a lot of features. But it's a hosted solution like you have today. Difference being is its running on an Exchange 2010 platform that will allow you take advantage of those features you may want without needing to manage the infrastructure. Chris Morgan

If you have already purchased Exchange 2010 and Windows 2008 R2 and have AD already setup, I would recommend Exchange 2010 be responsible for your SMTP Mail. You can setup your ISP as the Smarthost but you really are not taking full advantage of all that Ex2010 has to offer in features if you just decide to use a third party POP3 downloader to your Ex2010 server. If you have no experience in Exchange 2010 then I would also suggest an IT Consultant to get this setup correctly the first time. Exchange 2010 is not a simple program and requires some expertise.MVP Exchange Server

Hi, setting up Exchange without experience is a tall order. If you do decide to go that way and to host POP3 email on your providers server check out this guide to set up Exchange 2010: http://www.servolutions.com/support/config_exchange_2010.htm Best regards, Claus

To use Exchange 2010 on Server 2008 with hosted mail server is not a problem. There is a 3rd party software called Exchange pop3 (www.exchangepop3.com) to be use together with Exchange Server. But to use exchange only to 2 or 3 local computers it's quite an expensive solutions, won't you agree.

Like others wrote here, it's not cost effective In that case maybe you should take a look at Small business server if you really want your own server There is a pop3 connector included Jonas Andersson MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007/2010 | MCITP: EMA 2007/2010 | MCSE/MCSA Blog: http://www.testlabs.se/blog

Hi Gentletouch, Above gave some good information; If you have any other issue, please tell us. If you deploy exchange 2010 just for two or three local computers, you could host your email service on Email support venders, and MS also has a new product called BPOS, it is also a good method for you. Please refer to below: http://www.microsoft.com/online/products.aspx It could give you all the exchange features. If you want to deploy the exchange 2010 on your own domain, we could chose the SBS or exchange 2010. And we need a public IP from ISP, and need deploy AD, and finally deploy exchange 2010, If you want external users also could use some features, you will need a proxy, such as ISA. Some information about planning and deployment or exchange 2010: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998636.aspx Regards! GavinPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.