Microsoft Exchange and Blackberry Server Specialists

Exchange ActiveSync Setup for Exchange 2007

On This Page

  • Requirements
  • Optional Components
  • Server Setup
  • Test the Settings

These are instructions for configuring Exchange ActiveSync on Exchange 2007. They also apply if you are using a Client Access Server with mailboxes located on an Exchange 2003 server. The feature should be already available, these are settings to configure the feature securely.

Requirements

  • Exchange 2007
  • Trusted commercial SSL certificate*
  • Windows Mobile 6.0 handheld or another device with Exchange ActiveSync functionality.

Notes

* On Exchange 2007, the self signed certificate is not supported for use with Exchange ActiveSync. You must change it for a commercial certificate.

** If your Windows Mobile device is WM6 then it has the required components. If it is version 5.0 then you need to check if it has the MSFP Upgrade. To check, on the device, tap Settings, System and then choose About. You will see a version number like this:

OS 5.1.195 (Build 14847.2.0.0).

The key information is the build number, specifically the last three digits. If they are 2.0.0 or higher, then it has the MSFP update. If they are not, then contact your service provider or handheld manufacturer for an update.

Server Setup

These settings should be set on the server with the Client Access Role.

  1. Open the Exchange Management Console, then expand the Server Configuration, Client Access.
  2. Click on the tab "Exchange ActiveSync".
  3. On the virtual directory listed, open the properties of the directory. You need to set the correct external URL. This will allow Autodiscover on Windows Mobile 6.1 to work correctly. Ensure that the URL is in the format of https://host.example.com/Microsoft-Server-ActiveSync
    The internal URL is not so critical.
  4. Authentication should already have Basic authentication enabled, and the remote file server tab should be checked. Apply/Ok pit/
  5. Expend Organisation Configuration, client Access. During the installation of Exchange 2007 SP1, a default policy was entered. Right click on that default policy and choose Properties.
  6. On the first tab, set the Policy Refresh time to 36. This causes the clients to check for a new policy. If you do not set this before adding any devices, the devices that are added will not check for a new policy at a later date.
    You should also consider requiring a password - if you do not then remote wipe does not work without a prompt being seen on the device.

Test the Settings

Before moving on the device configuration, you should test the settings.
To do this, there are a number of things that you can do.

  1. On a mobile device browse to the server-  https://host.example.com/ . If you get an SSL certificate prompt, then the ActiveSync feature will not work as it cannot cope with the certificate prompt. The certificate prompt will tell you what is wrong.
    Ensure that you are using the correct address and that the certificate you have is trusted.
  2. Use the Microsoft Test site: https://testexchangeconnectivity.com

If you are getting errors with a separate Client Access Server, then ensure that you are connecting the device to the CAS server, not a mailbox server.

If you are co-existing with Exchange 2003, then check that forms based authentication is NOT enabled on the Exchange 2003 server. Finally on the /exchange virtual directory, make sure that integrated authentication is enabled. .