A. Given Microsoft Exchange 2000's tight integration with the Windows 2000 Active Directory (AD), you probably won't be surprised to learn that distribution groups in Exchange are actually AD groups with users as members. You can create two types of groups, Security and Distribution. I list the differences between the two groups below:
Security:
- Advantages—You can use a security group to grant access to public folders and assign permission to network resources. A security group's multipurpose use reduces the number of groups you need to maintain.
- Disadvantage—If you accidentally grant users access to the distribution group, you give them access to any network resources the group has access to.
Distribution:
- Advantages—You can use a distribution for bulk emailing. A distribution group can be in universal mode even when the domain is in mixed mode.
- Disadvantage—You can't assign a distribution group to public folders or network resources.
When you create a distribution group, Microsoft recommends that you use a universal distribution group (universal mode lets you include members from outside the local domain). To create a distribution group, perform the following steps:
- Start the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in (Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Active Directory Users and Computers).
- Right-click the Users container, and select New, Group.
- Enter a group name (e.g., FAQ List).
- Set the Group type to Distribution.
- Set the Group scope to Universal.
- Click Next.
- Ensure that "Create an Exchange e-mail address" is checked, and click Next.
- Click Finish.
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To add users, right-click the group, then select Properties. In the group properties dialog box, select the Members tab, then click Add. For Outlook users, you can also add users by selecting Properties and modifying the members.
