SBS 2003: OWA external access for a Blackberry

[tripex]

Hello Hardness Supremeness fellows,

I got a Blackberry Bold and would like to access email from the company Exchange server.

This Exchange server is actually part of Windows SBS 2003 Premium.

I know i can use regular Webmail (OWA) but the way it works on the Blackberry browser is horrible :(

So on my Blackberry i went to Email Settings and one of the options
there is Outlook Web Access. I tried configuring it but it always say
my server doesnt exist or something like that.

I understand ISA Server (which is pretty much on default settings) is
blocking the connections, so i would like to know what do i have to
do, what services should i publish ?

[tripex]

Keep in mind this is not a BES related question.

This is just a regular Blackberry phone trying to get its mail from an
Exchange account, via the Internets.

[k1pp3r]

Can you set it up as pop. i always have problems with the owa setup.

Get BES

[fantasticdan]

Ah, the joys of BIS and ISA.

I don't know about the ISA implimentation on SBS but on ISA 2006 BIS cannot get through it full stop, no configuration options will fix this, which is a really PITA.

IMAP is probably your best option, BIS can do that as well, but it can be a bit flakey on syncing your users mailbox with his handset. i.e. items disappearing and reapearing read and unread.

For the BES implimentation you can get professional services or something (can't remember exactly what it's called) which is basically BES for small business because there is a 25 user limit but no $4000 purchase cost. You still need the $99 CAL and there will be a monthly cost with your telecoms provider.

[tripex]

Ah, the joys of BIS and ISA.

I don't know about the ISA implimentation on SBS but on ISA 2006 BIS cannot get through it full stop, no configuration options will fix this, which is a really PITA.

IMAP is probably your best option, BIS can do that as well, but it can be a bit flakey on syncing your users mailbox with his handset. i.e. items disappearing and reapearing read and unread.

For the BES implimentation you can get professional services or something (can't remember exactly what it's called) which is basically BES for small business because there is a 25 user limit but no $4000 purchase cost. You still need the $99 CAL and there will be a monthly cost with your telecoms provider.


Hmm Exchange provides imap? I thought there was pop and regular exchange-mode for those computers connecting on the local network.

Imap would be nice. But i dont see options to configure an imap account on the Blackberry. Only POP and OWA.

I'm sure I will hate this Blackberry crap until i really start to understand it :(

[tripex]

Can you set it up as pop. i always have problems with the owa setup.

Get BES

Isn't BES a server that costs like 4000 usd ?
At least thats the price the mobile company is asking here.

Keep in mind i have only ONE (1) user with a blackberry phone.

On a network that uses a SBS 2003 with 20 users or so.

Investing money on a BES is the last thing i want...

[RiDDLeRThC]

Look up Blackberry Professional Server, you get one CAL for a blackberry to start.

No options for getting around the ISA or TMG Firewall.

What we do in our company (we cant run BPS because we all love HTML emails too much)

We forward the mail to our blackberry accounts but this has a few drawbacks.
1. we cannot see the messages are read within outlook.
2. any sent mail is not reflected within outlook.

[DeaconFrost]

All of my Blackberries connect via IMAP and the OWA address, and we have no issues. I'm not running the enterprise software, either.

[k1pp3r]

Isn't BES a server that costs like 4000 usd ?
At least thats the price the mobile company is asking here.

Keep in mind i have only ONE (1) user with a blackberry phone.

On a network that uses a SBS 2003 with 20 users or so.

Investing money on a BES is the last thing i want...

Blackberry professional software is free like others have said, one license included, each extra license is $100 and it can handle up to 30 licenses

[tripex]

All of my Blackberries connect via IMAP and the OWA address, and we have no issues. I'm not running the enterprise software, either.

Yes yes, thats what i wanted to hear!

Now tell me DeaconFrost, do you have ISA server on your network?

If yes, what ports do i have to open so i can access the Exchange server from my Blackberry?

Both ISA and Exchange sit on the same server which is a SBS 2003 Premium box.

[DeaconFrost]

I don't have ISA server running at all. I'm not sure about the ports, as it was configured before I took this job, but I don't recall it being anything out of the ordinary...whatever IMAP's defaults are. I'll check my router config tomorrow.

[tripex]

Eagerly awaiting for Deacon's post of awesomeness and salvation.

[YeOldeStonecat]

If yes, what ports do i have to open so i can access the Exchange server from my Blackberry?

Both ISA and Exchange sit on the same server which is a SBS 2003 Premium box.

Google ==> http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articles/tabid/266/articleType/ArticleView/ArticleID/235/PageID/365/Default.aspx

[tripex]

Yes yes, thats what i wanted to hear!

Now tell me DeaconFrost, do you have ISA server on your network?

If yes, what ports do i have to open so i can access the Exchange server from my Blackberry?

Both ISA and Exchange sit on the same server which is a SBS 2003 Premium box.



Well, well well. I came to conclusion that best way to do this was to set up an IMAP account.

There i was fighting with ISA server, opening all the IMAP and IMAPS ports but no mails came thru.

Little was known that i had to ENABLE the IMAP virtual server on my Exchange server by going to Comp Management and put the IMAP service on Start Automatic.

Now i can receive and send mail from my iPhone and soon will test this on the Blackberry again. I suppose it will work.


Thanks for those who participated in this thread.

[tripex]

gots help from

Configuring Exchange 2003 for Client Access
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa995729(EXCHG.65).aspx

[tripex]

Now i can receive and send mail from my iPhone and soon will test this on the Blackberry again. I suppose it will work.


It works, perfect.

Thanks !!