What does an Edge Transport server primarily do with messages?

An Edge Transport server primarily functions as a specialized mail relay that filters and routes messages in a Microsoft Exchange environment. Its primary purpose is to manage incoming and outgoing email traffic while providing an additional layer of security. It performs essential tasks such as anti-spam and anti-malware filtering, ensuring that only legitimate emails reach the internal Exchange environment. By handling these filtering processes at the perimeter of the network, the Edge Transport server helps to protect the internal servers from threats.

Routing is another critical aspect of its functionality. The Edge Transport server directs messages between different mail systems or within the organization's Exchange infrastructure, ensuring that emails are delivered to their appropriate destinations efficiently. This role is crucial in maintaining an organized flow of communications while adhering to the organization's email policies.

The other options present functions not primarily associated with the Edge Transport server's role. For instance, archiving messages is typically performed by a different type of server or service designed for long-term storage and compliance rather than by the Edge Transport server. Forwarding messages to the mailbox server can happen, but it is more about routing messages rather than the main function. Storing messages temporarily may occur during processing, but again, it’s not the core function of the Edge Transport server, which is focused on filtering and routing