SDK-orama: Exchange SDK

Did you know that Exchange has a Software Developer's Kit (SDK)? It's currently in Beta 2, but here are some things you can expect to find on this CD.

Sample gateway application: The Exchange SDK includes a sample gateway that uses two new conversion Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs). These DLLs, IPM_IN and IPM_OUT, convert messages to and from a text-based message format. This gateway application also supports backboning and the transport-neutral encapsulation format (TNEF).

Gateway configuration management: Service configuration information no longer uses the Registry to store its information. Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) calls access it directly. The SDK includes a sample application, CFGCODE, which creates extension data from a text-based data file, and a sample data file. Look for SAMPLE.INI.

Gateway queue clean-out tool: The GWCLEAN utility is useful. It lets gateway administrators and developers dump the contents of any gateway queue. This tool could come in handy if you do a lot of testing.

MAPI-based list server: One of the coolest tools is a MAPI-based list server. It's similar to the list servers you subscribe to on the Internet (e.g., MAJORDOMO and LISTSERV), but it's totally MAPI-based. The setup for this program takes advantage of the Windows GUI. You won't see any command-line options here!

Installation utilities: Several installation utilities help support the installation of Microsoft Exchange Server. They are

• GWINST: Installs the mail-gateway directory objects
• SERVINST: Installs the gateway executable code
• PROFINST: Installs the MAPI profiles for gateway access
• ADDRINST: Installs the Addr-Type directory objects
• TMPLINST: Installs the address-template directory objects
• MBINST: Installs the Mailbox-Agent directory objects
• PERFINST: Installs Performance Monitor Windows NT Registry keys

Personal Folder utilities: The added NEWPST library and POPPST utility support the creation of new Personal Folders and populate them with messages described in a text-based data file.

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs): Some additional APIs in release 2 are Public Folder Rules, Public Folder Access Control Lists, Schedule+, Backup/Restore, and Message security and encryption.

File Save common dialog: New code supports the Windows 95 FileOpen and FileSave common dialog boxes. The modified code includes the Exchange Server Public Folders in the container list. A sample application, ITP.EXE, demonstrates the use of this code.

Improved EDKMAPI library: This library now supports Rich Text Format and MAPI property caching. Programs that rely heavily on the MAPI functions GetProps and Set Props should see improvements in program execution.

MAPI directory access: You can now use MAPI to access an object in an Exchange Server directory, including objects that aren't part of the normal address book. An example of MAPI directory access is in the EDKCFG library.

C++ support for administrator extension DLLs: The added EXADMIN library is for developing extensions to the Exchange Server administrator program. EXADMIN implements the CAdminDialog class, as you can see in the sample applications SGWAdmin, SMBAdmin, and QueView.

This SDK is a must for anyone developing Exchange-aware applications, add-ons, or gateways. For an Exchange Server administrator, this SDK might be worthwhile--for the list server program alone!

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