Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118

how do you connect to your Exchange server

I'm investigating remote access options for our exchange 5.5 server so users on the road can stay on top of their bulging mailbox while out of the office.

The priority is to make it easy for the user with laptops/home pc that needs access. However, I also want to ensure that palm users can also check their mail.

I've started to investigate vpn's, outlook web access, remote access servers but am a little confused about the best way to go...

does anyone have any ideas or experience?

TIA

Ian

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 217

In my limited experience, the regular Outlook client is really slow through a vpn over a dial-up connection. I use the VPN to access network shares and run sql server enterprise manager but even with my cable internet access at home, outlook is too slow. Of course, the limiting factor is the isdn at the office. Anyway, i think OWA is the way to go for home pc's & laptops.

Outlook Web Access is slick and speedy but has somewhat limited functionality. I think it's perfectly fine but some (one) of my more inflexible users thinks it is totally useless. One of the limitations is that you can only access your primary contact folder not any public contact folders (I think you can with Exchange 2000). There are other minor limitations but for mail it works great.

As for palms... I don't know about that.

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Mike
I'd rather be upside down in my kayak than rightside up at my desk.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 78

In my exp (I'm an IT Director who has done the Exchange/Outlook and VPN thing from the beginning), Outlook does just dandily across a VPN. Actually VPN tech has little to do with OL performance. It's actually about the connectivity. I'm using cablemodem and it's fine.

OWA is another possibility but its functionality is severely limitted when run on Exchange 5.5. It's much closer to Outlook on Exchange 2000. (a good reason for sites to upgrade.)

As for dialing in with a Palm all they need is a mobile ISP that can get them onto the Internet. Then you can use a number of Palm email programs to POP or IMAP your mail off the Exchange server.

I don't know of any VPN clients for the Palm platform so that it may not be feasible to come in across a VPN. But really I haven't explored that option.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 34

The best way that I have found to connect to my Exchange 5.5 server out of the office is with Outlook Express and an IMAP mail account.

I use Eudora pop mail client or Yahoo Mobile and Eudora Web for my Handspring.

Lee

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I need a new signature!

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118

quote:

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Originally posted by robertl1
As for dialing in with a Palm all they need is a mobile ISP that can get them onto the Internet. Then you can use a number of Palm email programs to POP or IMAP your mail off the Exchange server.

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 34

quote:

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Originally posted by IanP
One last question, can you point me in the direction of any websites that might help me?

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I need a new signature!

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 78

yes to both your questions. POP3 service needs to be configured on Exchange and the firewall probably needs to have a hole punched in it. The easiest thing is to get support from your network administrator. He should be able to tell you if you're setup for POPing mail.