Mark Wilson在他的blog陈述了Exchange Server最佳维护技巧（http://www.markwilson.co.uk/blog/2005/02/exchange-server-best-practice-and.htm）。但我最感兴趣的是他说的ExBPA(Microsoft Exchange Server Best Practices Analyzer tool )的设计原则。

据称，微软碰到的客户支持事件中，只有0.3%的是软件错误而需要打补丁之外，60%的都是配置错误。所以，对于Exchange Server做个检测工具就是必然了，这就是ExBPA的设计初衷了。

在ExBPA中采用的设计原则有：

1. Concentrate on performance, scalability and availability - whilst the ExBPA does examine some security mis-configurations, e.g. open relays or too many administrators, it does not look for the latest patch levels - the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) performs that function.

2. Make it easy to run - previous tools were not particularly easy to set up and ExBPA is designed on a 3-click principle (from startup to scan). Don't leave me hanging - i.e. don't just provide a strange message and a link to a Microsoft knowledge base article - provide some useful information in relation to the tool's findings.

3. Keep it up-to-date - ExBPA automatically downloads its web update packs, which are published every two weeks.

4. Work in all environments - ExBPA works from single server Microsoft Small Business Server implementations right through to enterprise Exchange Server deployments.

这个工具用C#实现，采用XML输入输出及XPath（http://www.w3.org/TR/xpath）技术。更多可以从微软网站（http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/downloads/2003/analyzers/overview.mspx）看到。