What stores configuration and recipient data for the Edge Transport server role?

The Edge Transport server role specifically uses Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) to store configuration and recipient data. Unlike standard Active Directory, which is designed primarily for domain services and includes user authentication, AD LDS operates as a directory service that provides the infrastructure for applications to store and manage data.

In the context of Exchange, the Edge Transport server is a part of the messaging architecture that handles mail flow in and out of the organization. It functions primarily at the perimeter of the network, and it relies on AD LDS to maintain the necessary information about recipient policies, connector settings, and other configuration data crucial for its operation. This design allows for better scalability and management, as Edge Transport servers do not need to be part of the internal Active Directory and thus can function independently while still effectively managing mail routing and delivery.

Active Directory, while essential for many Exchange components, does not directly support the Edge Transport role's specific operational needs for configuration and recipient data. SQL Server and the Exchange Management Console are not related to the storage of data specific to Edge Transport roles, with SQL Server generally not being part of the Exchange architecture and the Exchange Management Console serving as a graphical interface rather than a data storage solution.