StealthAUDIT for Exchange is an extension of the StealthAUDIT Core application that focuses specifically on information gathering around the Exchange application and its many dependencies on the Windows Operating System and Active Directory. The most recent release of StealthAUDIT’s Exchange Solution Set provides out of the box solutions and reports focused on StealthAUDIT’s muliple Core Competencies in Exchange Management.
Data Collection and Architecture
StealthAUDIT for Exchange has evolved over time from a simple Mailbox and Public Folder interrogation tool, to a comprehensive Exchange Management solution designed to provide the most granular visibility into Exchange. StealthAUDIT for Exchange addresses multiple areas of Exchange management in a single product through the use of four independent Data Collectors specifically designed for Exchange:
- Exchange Mailbox
- Exchange Public Folder
- Exchange Configuration
- Exchange Message Traffic
In addition to these Exchange-specific Data Collectors, StealthAUDIT also leverages numerous Operating System and Active Directory Data Collectors as part of a highly extensible "plug-in", DLL architecture, as well as multiple communication methods such as MAPI, WMI, LDAP, and RPC to collect the desired information rapidly and efficiently; without the use of agents.
The Exchange Message Traffic Data Collector employs a slightly different method of data collection whereby an intelligent "applet" is deployed to the remote Exchange server upon job execution. The applet will process the requested number of tracking logs on the server to summarize their contents into individual XML Summary Files to be retained on the server for future interrogation. The applet will also monitor system resources on the server to ensure uninterrupted service to end users during job execution, but will otherwise remove itself from the machine upon completion or lie dormant until called again. This form of architecture reduces network traffic and large database repositories by up to 96%, as well as provides much larger amounts of historical information for future analysis.
StealthAUDIT for Exchange Architecture:
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Management Console – StealthAUDIT for Exchange is a Windows based UI application permitting intuitive administration of the product and visualization of the system configuration and output results.
Database – StealthAUDIT utilizes a Microsoft SQL Server based database that can reside on the same or different machine from the StealthAUDIT Console application.
Data Collector – Data Collectors are dynamically loaded libraries (DLLs) that are “plugged in” to every StealthAUDIT installation to enable functionality for various data collection techniques. Data Collectors are implemented with graphical configuration interfaces that use inherent knowledge of the sources for these system properties coupled with “selection by example” techniques and logical element groupings. This implementation empowers administrators to compose and run queries in minutes that would otherwise take hours or days to script effectively.
Job – StealthAUDIT Jobs are executable entities that contain all configuration elements required to collect, filter, transform, and store result data and generate reports against that data. This encapsulation provides for easy packaging and distribution of configured sets of functionality.
Core Engine – This is the primary StealthAUDIT program. It can be run in a graphical or non-graphical mode to collect data, invoke actions and analysis processes, and generate reports. This flexibility permits it to be run either interactively or on a scheduled basis.
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Implementation and Scaling
StealthAUDIT can typically be implemented in hours as compared to alternative agent-based products that can take weeks (and in some cases months or years) to deploy. Large enterprises can scale up by deploying multiple collection consoles with the option to channel all results to a single central database.
Product Benefits
For a thorough understanding of the tremendous value and benefits which StealthAUDIT for Exchange brings, check out the StealthAUDIT for Exchange Solution Set.
The use of StealthAUDIT for Exchange will automate manual tasks, increase the efficiencies and capabilities of administrators, and virtually eliminate scripting.
StealthAUDIT for Exchange has proven to:
- Drastically expedite the process of assessing and remediating Public Folder environments in preperation for upgrades and migrations to Exchange 2007 and alternative collaboration platforms.
- Reduce downtime through proactive management of configuration changes and drift.
- Ensure high availability through in-depth analysis of server traffic and utilization.
- Aid in Chargeback reporting initatives through complete visibility into Mailbox, Public Folder, and Storage Metrics.
- Validate security policies, permissions, and procedures for organizational and regulatory compliance standards, as well as industry best practices.
- Enable fast, ad hoc information gathering on thousands of Exchange-related properties at a moment’s notice to help administrators and executives make decisions quicker and with more certainty.
