Step 3: Choose the Type of User Database

Identify the database that the Primary Host uses to register and authenticate users. The Primary Host can use one of the following databases for registration and authentication:

Note: Registration creates the user mail account and authentication verifies user IDs and passwords.

• IMail Database. All user IDs and passwords for mail accounts are stored separately, from either the Windows NT or Windows 2000 user database or other external database, or in a proprietary database in the Windows registry. This database is available, managed, and shareable only in support of the IMail or ICS applications.

  You can also import Windows NT or Windows 2000 users into an IMail user database without having them linked to the Windows NT or Windows 2000 user database. For more information on importing Windows NT or 2000 users, see the IMail Administrator Help.

• Windows NT Database. This database automatically creates user mail accounts for any user listed in the Windows NT or Windows 2000 user database on your host machine.

  Caution: Don't use this option if on a domain - use Active Directory instead.

  Note: The Primary Mail Host must have access to the Windows NT or 2000 user database for your network.

  To view a current list of users, add users, or delete users in your Windows NT or 2000 user database, use the appropriate administrative tool (for example, Windows NT User Manager) as described in your Windows documentation. You cannot view, add, or delete NT database users with IMail Administrator.

  Note: Windows NT database and Windows 2000 databases use different database administration tools.

  A mailbox and other user files are created for a user when the mail server receives a message for that user or when a user first accesses the IMail Server through a mail client.

• External Database. IMail Server can use an external database to register and authenticate users. This option lets you specify an existing ODBC-compliant user database and lets you add and delete users either from the IMail Administrator or directly in the external database. IMail Server supports Microsoft SQL Server or Microsoft Access.

  Important: If you use an external database, before you start the IMail or ICS installation, you need the ODBC System DSN name for the database and the User ID and Password to log on to the database.
  IMAILSECDB is the default name that the IMail ODBC link uses. For example, for the ODBC System Data Source Name, enter: imailsecdb;UID=imailuser;PWD=password

  Important: Before you use IMail Server Administrator to associate an external database with a host, use the ODBC Data Source Administrator to make sure there is a System DSN (Data Source Name) that points to a valid database name. See your Windows operating system and database documentation for information on the System DSN.

  Note: If you want to use a different ODBC database, you can modify IMail Server's ODBCUser.dll file to support it. For more information, read the ODBC topics in our Knowledge Base at: http://support.ipswitch.com/kb

  To display the topics, enter ODBC in the Search for box, select IMail Server from the product list, then click Search.

• Active Directory - Do not install an Active Directory database on a Domain Controller.