Installation overview

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Installation overview

Message Queuing is not installed by default during installation of Windows Server 2003 family operating systems, but the files needed to install it and its subcomponents are copied to the computer during this process. When you install Message Queuing, an additional 6.7 megabytes (MB) of space is required for Message Queuing folders. You install Message Queuing on a computer by adding it as a Windows component after installation of the operating system is complete. The Message Queuing component can be found in Add or Remove Programs, Add/Remove Windows Components, Application Server, Message Queuing.

To configure Message Queuing, you choose the Message Queuing subcomponents you require by selecting Message Queuing, clicking Details, and then selecting or clearing the applicable check boxes.

The Message Queuing subcomponent tree has the following form:

Message Queuing

Line graphicCommon

line graphicLine graphicCore

line graphicline graphicLocal Storage

Line graphicActive Directory Integration

Line graphicTriggers

Line graphicMSMQ HTTP Support

Line graphicRouting Support

line graphicDownlevel Client Support

For more detailed information on these components, see Choosing installation subcomponents.

Message Queuing can be installed in two modes:

  • Active Directory mode. If you install Message Queuing with Active Directory Integration and the installation computer is part of a domain, Message Queuing objects are created in Active Directory. This mode supports direct message transmission, and messaging using path names. For more information on these types of messaging, see Queue names. For more information on Active Directory domain mode, see Deploying in a domain environment.

  • Workgroup mode. Any mode of operation that does not allow access to Active Directory is known as workgroup mode, regardless of whether a computer belongs to a domain. Computers in this mode require direct connectivity with a destination computer, and only support direct message transmission. Messages sent by such computers cannot be routed. For more information, see Deploying in workgroup mode.

Note that during a default installation, the Active Directory Integration subcomponent is installed. If the computer is in the workgroup mode, the presence of this subcomponent allows for the possibility that the computer might later join a domain. In that case, the computer will try to integrate with Active Directory and attempt to create a Message Queuing object in Active Directory, each time the Message Queuing service is started. For more information, see Active Directory Integration subcomponent.

By choosing the subcomponents you require, you can decide on Message Queuing functionality for your Windows Server 2003 family computer, as follows:

  • Dependent client. Dependent clients require the Local Storage subcomponent of the Common component to be selected. Dependent clients rely on a supporting server for all their messaging functions and cannot use new Message Queuing 3.0 features. It is recommended that you install independent clients, rather than dependent clients, where possible.

  • Independent client. These clients can operate in workgroup mode or Active Directory domain mode. Computers configured as independent clients run the Message Queuing service, host queues, send and receive messages, operate while disconnected from the network, access Active Directory directly, and can act as a supporting server for dependent clients. However, for an independent client in workgroup mode, direct connectivity is required to send messages, and the computer cannot act as a supporting server for dependent clients. To differentiate between independent clients and Message Queuing servers:

    • Independent clients do not provide the message routing capabilities of a Message Queuing server with the Routing component enabled.

    • Independent clients do not have the Downlevel Client Support component enabled, and cannot provide Active Directory access for MSMQ 1.0 clients running on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98, or Windows 95 computers, or Message Queuing 2.0 clients running on Windows 2000 computers.

Default installation settings

A default installation installs the Common (Core and Local Storage) and Active Directory Integration components. Installing the Active Directory Integration component means that if your computer is part of a domain, and has access to Active Directory, your computer will operate in domain mode following installation. If your computer is in workgroup mode, or in a domain but without Active Directory access, the Active Directory Integration component attempts to access a domain controller, and work in domain mode each time the Message Queuing service is restarted. This allows you to join your workgroup computer to a domain and work in domain mode at any time following installation.

If you are installing Message Queuing on a computer that is a member of a Windows Server 2003 family domain or Windows 2000 domain, you can still specify whether the computer will operate in domain mode (by ensuring that Active Directory Integration subcomponent is selected) or in workgroup mode (by canceling the selection of the Active Directory Integration subcomponent).

During any installation or upgrade, there are certain requirements and restrictions that apply and must be met before you can install Message Queuing. For more information, see Installation requirements and restrictions. For more information on installation permissions, see Installation permissions.

Unattended setup

Windows unattended setup feature can be used to install Message Queuing software remotely. For more information, see Unattended setup.