Peer-to-Peer Questions #1: Converting Address Books, Y2k Updates, Peer Networks

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April 12, 1999

Editors Note This article, culled from the TechNet Web site (https://www.microsoft.com/technet), answers the most interesting questions received on the peer -to-peer discussion groups over the past few weeks. To post your own questions, visit the TechNet discussion groups at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/newsgroups/default.mspx.

Greetings! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Devon , and I am one of TechNet's feedback gurus. This is a new regular column devoted to the most interesting questions received in our Peer to Peer discussion groups over the past few weeks.

Q: I am having difficulty importing my external address lists when migrating to the Exchange or Outlook platforms from third party e-mail systems. What can you recommend?

A: When converting to Microsoft Exchange server 5.5, the exchange migration wizard does not automatically import a personal address book (PAB) from Lotus notes, cc:Mail or Pine. If you have encountered this issue, I'd recommend reading the white paper called Easier Moves Using the MS Exchange Move Server Wizard.

Another helpful resource, cc:Mail Directory Migration Toolkit for MS Exchange Server 5.5 and Outlook 98 v1.6 may be found on TechNet's CD Online. This does not address all of the issues regarding the translation of the PAB's of other non-Microsoft email systems into an Exchange compatible PAB. However, Microsoft does produce client tools for migration, including the cc:Mail archive importer that will convert personal address book entries from the PRIVDIR.INI file into Exchange. At this writing, Microsoft does not yet have a migration tool for personal address books from Lotus Notes or other systems.

In a quick Web search, I found a tool from https://www.transend.com/ called the "ConnectorWare import utility 4.0 for cc:Mail to Outlook/Exchange Conversion." According to documentation on the site, the utility converts cc:Mail archives, folders and bulletin boards and imports the cc:Mail 8.x personal address book, internet addresses and private mail lists directly into the Outlook Contacts Folder or Personal Address Book. However, since I have not used this product, I am unable to comment on its value.

Q: Where can I find Microsoft Y2K updates for the Windows 9x and NT Operating Systems?

A. There are less than 264 days left in the year 1999. The target date has passed for the U.S. Federal Government to have its own systems Y2K compliant. Y2K concerns are in the news and in TechNet's forums. Posts regarding the Microsoft Y2K updates for the Windows 9x and NT operating systems are plentiful. Fortunately, TechNet can help answer your compliancy questions. TechNet's Year 2000 Page (located at https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windowsnt/4/server/reskit/en-us/y2knt4rk.mspx) is a great place for information regarding your system's ability to weather the Y2K rollover.

For general purposes, the Windows 9x and NT operating systems and some versions of the Windows NT Server and Workstation have been classified as "compliant with minor issues." English versions of NT workstation and server that have Service Pack 4 have been classified as "compliant."

Q: Tell me more about Peer to Peer Networks.

A: With the growing number of multi-PC homes and expanding reach of the Internet, this subject has grown in importance to all IT professionals managing a network or considering establishing one.

If you are interested in setting up your first network, read Chapter 14: Introduction to Networking Configuration in the Windows 98 Resource Kit on TechNet. If you are using a Windows 95 system, I suggest Chapter 7: Introduction to Windows 95 Networking in the Windows 95 Resource Kit, also found on TechNet.

I also highly suggest the Home PC Network (https://www.homepcnetwork.com/index.htm), one of the best networking sites on the Web. For questions regarding the choice between peer-to-peer or client-server networks, I recommend Linksys (https://www.homepcnetwork.com/index.htm), which has an excellent FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).