Today, almost every organization uses emails to communicate within and outside the organization. For smoothing up the communication process, these organizations use Exchange servers. It is a server program that runs on Windows Server and is part of the Microsoft Servers line of products. The Exchange servers not only backs up the confidential data stored in the mailboxes, it also allows to manage the data effectively without compromising with the security.
Therefore, the Exchange server is considered to be the most important and sensitive part of the communication system within an organization. Ever since its existence, Microsoft has improved it from time to time by adding up latest fixes and features. Exchange 2013 Service Pack 1 is the latest one with hotfixes and changes in the service pack. It uses a scheduled delivery model to release quarterly updates.
Some of the improvements included in Exchange 2013 SP1 are mentioned below. These features will let you know what’s new in Exchange 2013.
MAPI/HTTP connectivity model.
With this new connectivity model, RPC/HTTP is no longer used. It cuts away the RPC and provides an easier way to connect to Exchange.
Supports Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2012 R2 is now supported in Exchange 2013 SP1. You can now deploy Exchange 2013 SP1/CU4 on a server running Microsoft’s latest OS.
S/MIME-based message security
Microsoft Exchange 2013 SP1 supports S/MIME-based message security with Outlook Web App.
Edge Transport Server returns
Now you can handle all Internet-facing mail flow, which provides SMTP relay and smart host services like connection filtering, attachment filtering and address rewriting.
SSL offloading support
You need not re-encrypt traffic after it has been decrypted.
DLP Policy Tips in OWA (Desktop and Mobile)
Data loss prevention has been extended to both the desktop version of OWA. It allows you to take an appropriate action whenever sensitive data is being sent.
Language Packs
It supports the UM language packs. However, you must install the Exchange 2013 SP1 UM language packs, if you install SP1 on your Mailbox servers.
Multiple forests and hybrid deployment.
This feature is new to Exchange 2013 SP1, where organizations with multiple Active Directory forests can perform hybrid deployments.
Create Cluster within an Administrative access Point
Exchange 2013 SP1 introduces the concept of creating a database availability group (DAG) without a cluster administrative access point. This helps in reducing complexities and simplifies DAG management.
Authentication Protocol for Exchange OAuth
With Exchange 2013 SP1, the connection between the Information workers in Exchange on-premises organizations and the information workers in Exchange Online organizations can be enhanced by using the new Exchange OAuth authentication protocol. It enables the following features.
- Exchange hybrid deployment features
- Exchange In-place eDiscovery
AppCache Browser Support
The browsers that support AppCache are listed below:
- Internet Explorer 10 or later versions
- Google Chrome 24 or later versions
- Firefox 23 or later versions
- Safari 6 or later (only on OS X/iOS) versions
Attachment Handling in Exchange Online
It provides a more consistent and reliable attachment handling settings when a user signs in to Outlook Web App from a computer on a public network.
SSL Offloading Support
All the protocols and related services on Exchange 2013 Client Access servers are supported.
The following protocols and services are supported:
- OWA
- EAC
- OAB
- EAS
- EWS
- Autodiscover
- MRSProxy
- MAPI
Claims based authentication with OWA
Multifactor authentication can be used with Exchange 2013 SP1 including supporting smart card and certificate-based authentication in Outlook Web App.
New regions with DLP sensitive information types
Exchange 2013 SP1 covers increased set of regions by providing an expanded set of standard DLP sensitive information types. It makes it easier to start using the DLP features.
Fingerprint based DLP classification
Document Fingerprinting expands the capability of the previously used technique. It enables you to identify standard forms used in your organization, which may contain sensitive information. You can detect all employee information forms with sensitive content filled in by creating a document Fingerprint.
OWA Junk Mail Reporting
By using the built-in junk email reporting options, even an OWA customer can report missed spam in the Inbox to Microsoft for analysis