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Physical location of Microsoft Exchange boxes is fairly irrelevant, ensuring network connectivity and software minimums are more important.
In addition, you talked about deploying a new machine in your infrastructure. Deciding between a front-end and a back-end server has more to do with the objectives you are attempting to accomplish.
Back-end servers are inside the corporate firewall, and provide a platform to house mailboxes. These servers are used through storage groups and databases.
Front-end servers are on the perimeter of the network, and optimize the configuration of Exchange by offering:
- Single External Namespace
- Offloads Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and decryption for Outlook Web Access
- Enhanced security
- Improved public folder access and features
- Increased IMAP access to public folders
- Multiple protocol support
More detailed information is available from Microsoft in the Front-end and back-end server topology guide for Exchange Server 2003 and Exchange 2000 Server.
Do you have comments on this Ask the Expert Q&A? Let us know.
Related information from SearchExchange.com:
Step-by-Step Guide: How to spec your Exchange hardware needs
Expert Advice: Is it possible to set up a clustered front-end Exchange server?
Resource Center: Exchange 2003 tips and resources
Primer: Server roles and Exchange hardware
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