I am looking at installing Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition on our file server. Based on books I have been reading on WS2003, I understand it has its own POP3 and SMTP servers, so I don't have to install Microsoft Exchange or a third party email package to provide email for my users (I just want basic email). However, 2 separate outside consultants have now told me categorically that Windows Server 2003 does not come with built in POP3/SMTP, leaving me somewhat confused :-) If you use Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, please tell me if it comes with built in email support, and if it is usable in real life. Thanks in advance, Matt Perdeck IT Manager Bicycle NSW

Hi Matt, w2k non-server has SMTP [and probably PO] built in. So it's almost unthinkable that any win server would not have them. M2 If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

Windows 2003 server (standard) doesn't come with exchange, or any other email server software built in. 2003 SBS (small business server) has email built into it but it's not exchange and it likely isn't going to be what you need as SBS has restrictions on it.

I never cease to be amazed by the caliber of people who call themselves "consultants" :) Windows 2003 server does ship with builtin POP3 and SMTP services. Compared to Exchange server, both are indeed very limited but might be adequate for your needs. SMTP is, as the name implies, simple and pretty straightforward. You can read more about the POP3 service and how it compares to Exchange here

SBS2003 Does come with Exchange, one of the core techs that comes built in. It is standard version of exchange, where the main limit is 16GB mail Databases.

Maybe a smoother move, instead of throwing money at M$, is take any 486 clunker that's handy and put unix [free] and a POP server [free] on that. M2 If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

Good idea :) A 486 might be a bit underpowered, but you should be able to find a Pentium-class computer for not too much money. Less than an Exchange license, anyway. Unless you need Exchange's collaboration/calendaring features, a unix-based mail server like Sendmail + Qpopper should be more than adequate. And if you do need collaboration, there's always Hula from Novell. Also free.