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problems with activesync - 8.Aug.2008 4:12:57 PM

jennyjen

Posts: 39
Joined: 4.May2006
Status: offline

Hi everyone,

Hoping someone can help me out. I am having some issues configuring active sync with an iphone. This is the first time i have tried the active sync so im not sure what is the problem. Here is what i did:
Server side:
installed a valid SSL cert from godaddy
under the mobile properties in system manager i checked all boxes on the main page and enabled min password length and wipe device on the second page

iphone side:
email address: mine@company.com
server: webmail.company.com
username: domain\mine
password: <password>
then i click next and it says that it can validate my info and then i save it.

when i go to the actual mail icon then it says it checks the mail (but doesnt bring anything back from the server). If i try to send mail i get the error: "cannot send mail. an error occured while delivering this message". I have went through everything over and over. I can browse the net fine so i know im online. Everyone i talk to says this is easy and there are only a few steps..im very frustrated here.

Does anyone have any ideas for me?
Thanks,

_____________________________

jen

Post #: 1

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RE: problems with activesync - 8.Aug.2008 6:37:59 PM

Sembee

Posts: 3500
Joined: 17.Jan.2008
From: Somewhere near London, UK
Status: offline

Considering the problems that are being reported with getting the iPhone to work, I would suggest that you test it with the Windows Mobile emulator from Microsoft. That will allow you to confirm it works in a native environment before you get to Apple's interpretation of ActiveSync.

Simon.

_____________________________

Simon Butler,
Exchange MVP
Blog: http://www.sembee.co.uk/
Web: http://www.amset.info/
In the UK? Hire me: http://www.amset.co.uk/

(in reply to jennyjen)

Post #: 2

RE: problems with activesync - 20.Aug.2008 4:10:47 PM

myname

Posts: 26
Joined: 11.Feb.2008
Status: offline

Ugggg...

I too am having active sync problems. I have spent the past 2+ hours trying to download and install an windows mobile emulator with NO luck. I cannot get any of them to connect to the net.

The only one I was able to get semi worked (ie. loaded up), is this page:

http://searchexchange.techtarget.com/generic/0,295582,sid43_gci1318946,00.html

However, I can't get the emulator provided from there to work either.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

--kevin

(in reply to Sembee)

Post #: 3

RE: problems with activesync - 20.Aug.2008 4:33:39 PM

Sembee

Posts: 3500
Joined: 17.Jan.2008
From: Somewhere near London, UK
Status: offline

Have you installed all three components?
The emulator, the images and Virtual PC or Virtual Server?
Do you have a DHCP network on your LAN that can use the connection? Do you get a connection type prompt? If so you need to choose Internet, not work.

I have never had any problems with getting the emulator to work, it just seems to work.

Simon.

_____________________________

Simon Butler,
Exchange MVP
Blog: http://www.sembee.co.uk/
Web: http://www.amset.info/
In the UK? Hire me: http://www.amset.co.uk/

(in reply to myname)

Post #: 4

RE: problems with activesync - 20.Aug.2008 4:38:44 PM

myname

Posts: 26
Joined: 11.Feb.2008
Status: offline

Yup, installed all 3 pieces. I don't see anyplace in the emulator to set network connections. We do have a DHCP server running, though I still can't access anything with the mobile emulator.

I am running Vista Businsess if that makes a difference.

--k

(in reply to Sembee)

Post #: 5

RE: problems with activesync - 20.Aug.2008 4:42:08 PM

myname

Posts: 26
Joined: 11.Feb.2008
Status: offline

stupid question, does a security certificate need to be installed in order for activesync to work? that is one piece that I think the previous admin didn't do.

is there a step by step guide to explain exactly what needs to be done to get activesync installed/configured on exchange 2003?

I have been dealing with this problem for, oh, going on 16 hours now and have NO clue what the frick I am doing anymore. :(

--K

(in reply to myname)

Post #: 6

RE: problems with activesync - 20.Aug.2008 5:56:51 PM

Sembee

Posts: 3500
Joined: 17.Jan.2008
From: Somewhere near London, UK
Status: offline

Ideally an SSL certificate needs to be installed. If there is a self generated certificate in place then that can cause a problem. Furthermore the certificate needs to be trusted by the Windows Mobile device - ActiveSync cannot cope with any certificate prompt.

The setup of the process is basic, I have outlined the steps required here: http://www.amset.info/exchange/mobile-setup.asp

Simon.

_____________________________

Simon Butler,
Exchange MVP
Blog: http://www.sembee.co.uk/
Web: http://www.amset.info/
In the UK? Hire me: http://www.amset.co.uk/

(in reply to myname)

Post #: 7

RE: problems with activesync - 21.Aug.2008 10:03:28 AM

myname

Posts: 26
Joined: 11.Feb.2008
Status: offline

Thank you for the help.

I was able to get Activesync working with the MS Emulator this morning, I guess a good nights sleep and getting frustrations out at the gym help. :)

However, I still can't get the iPhone to sync. I'm not sure what to check for, is it a server issue? iPhone issue?

I know I've read posts where people say to turn off SSL on the iphone, I don't even see that option(we don't have an SSL installed on the server), and this is iPhone 2.0 with the latest firmware as of yesterday (2.0.2)

Any ideas?

--Kevin

(in reply to Sembee)

Post #: 8

RE: problems with activesync - 21.Aug.2008 1:47:43 PM

Sembee

Posts: 3500
Joined: 17.Jan.2008
From: Somewhere near London, UK
Status: offline

When you configured ActiveSync to work on the emulator, did you choose the option to use SSL in the wizard? Many problems with EAS are down to certificates, particularly SSL support, as ActiveSync cannot cope with any kind of certificate prompt.
I haven't seen an iPhone and am advising clients to keep clear as it is a toy, not a business machine, plus it is about two years out of date.

Simon.

_____________________________

Simon Butler,
Exchange MVP
Blog: http://www.sembee.co.uk/
Web: http://www.amset.info/
In the UK? Hire me: http://www.amset.co.uk/

(in reply to myname)

Post #: 9

RE: problems with activesync - 21.Aug.2008 2:29:35 PM

myname

Posts: 26
Joined: 11.Feb.2008
Status: offline

I am not using SSL with the emulator, which is where the problem stems, I guess.

I agree, the iPhone is too much, basically an expensive toy where you can talk to other people, which is why my phone is just a cell phone, no fancy schmancy doohicky's on it.

Though it still grinds my gears that I can't get it to work. Ahh, the day will come when I will. The sad part is, I can't keep testing with one of the partners phones, as they need it.

Thanks for your help.

--k

(in reply to Sembee)

Post #: 10

RE: problems with activesync - 21.Aug.2008 4:05:10 PM

Sembee

Posts: 3500
Joined: 17.Jan.2008
From: Somewhere near London, UK
Status: offline

SSL is a major pain point for ActiveSync setup. Furthermore the emulator is inside the network, not outside, so it is perfectly possible to have it working inside but not over the internet.

Are you currently using SSL for OWA support? If not, why not?
If you are not, then I would recommend that you do - using a certificate that is supported by Windows Mobile. I usually suggest GoDaddy - http://DomainsForExchange.net/
The problem is that I don't know what root certificates the iPhone supports, so I don't know if the GoDaddy SSL certificates are supported or not.
The Microsoft Test Exchange Connectivity web site uses the same SSL certificates (http://www.testexchangeconnectivity.com/ ) so you could try browsing to that site on the iPhone and see if it prompts for a certificate. If it does not, then the iPhone accepts the certificate and should also accept it if you purchase a certificate for your own site.

Simon.

_____________________________

Simon Butler,
Exchange MVP
Blog: http://www.sembee.co.uk/
Web: http://www.amset.info/
In the UK? Hire me: http://www.amset.co.uk/

(in reply to myname)

Post #: 11

RE: problems with activesync - 21.Aug.2008 4:50:42 PM

myname

Posts: 26
Joined: 11.Feb.2008
Status: offline

The way the system is set up, we cannot check our company email from outside the network, blocked for security reasons, so using the iphone, they would not be able to get their email outside the network, which is why there is no SSL. I did not set up the network/email originally.

So with them being inside, all the users want to do is sync their contacts, and more importantly, their calendar data. I tried syncing through iTunes, but alas, there is a known bug (*cough* go figure *cough*) where some calendar events (mostly recurring) will be deleted.

--k

(in reply to Sembee)

Post #: 12

RE: problems with activesync - 22.Aug.2008 12:06:29 PM

Sembee

Posts: 3500
Joined: 17.Jan.2008
From: Somewhere near London, UK
Status: offline

Exchange ActiveSync is primarily designed to go over the data connection from the ISP. While I know you can use a network connection to sync to the server with Windows Mobile, I don't know if iPhone will allow that.

Simon.

_____________________________

Simon Butler,
Exchange MVP
Blog: http://www.sembee.co.uk/
Web: http://www.amset.info/
In the UK? Hire me: http://www.amset.co.uk/

(in reply to myname)

Post #: 13