Blackberries at Penn
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Contents |
Background
Because BlackBerry devices do not work as expected with the large, UNIX-based email servers on campus, they have not been recommended to date. Given the growing interest in these handhelds however, ISC conducted an evaluation of several options for supporting BlackBerries within a UNIX-based email environment. While some level of support can be achieved with other mail servers through additional software and components, full functionality cannot be achieved today without either Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, or Novell GroupWise and an associated BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). For users that require full support for BlackBerry devices, ISC recommends the use of Microsoft Exchange with the BES addition. For those who need this service, but cannot set up their own server infrastructure, ISC has identified Mi8 as an external vendor that specializes in hosting and managing Microsoft Exchange. They provide Exchange email server accounts as well as full BlackBerry support. Sample pricing may be found here
Wireless Carrier Options
While the remainder of this article focuses on full Exchange functionality, it is worth noting that there is another option for those who only need to receive email. Each wireless carrier provides the option to have BlackBerry devices purchased through them subscribe to the carrier's own BlackBerry Internet Server (BIS). Once configured, a user will receive copies of their email from the specified account on their BlackBerry. A few downsides do exist:
- The vendor's BIS will not work against mail servers with "enhanced" security accounts such as on pobox.upenn.edu; a password will need to be provided the vendor.
- Email is the only type of data that will be pushed. Other considerations need to be made for calendar, tasks, contacts, etc.
- Email will need to be managed both on the BlackBerry and the desktop computer. The handheld device does not modify mail flags on the mail server. For example, messages deleted on the device will still come down to the traditional mail client on the desktop.
For users that are willing to accept these limitations, this provides the easiest, cheapest way to have your email from a UNIX server pushed out to a BlackBerry.
Hosted Exchange
ISC currently recommends Mi8 as an external service provider that hosts Exchange accounts. While this does allow end-users to receive their Penn email pushed out to their handhelds, there are a few things to consider:
- End users no longer have a choice in which email client they run on their desktop. They must run Outlook 2003 or another Exchange compatible email client (such as Apple Mail or Microsoft Entourage).
- If the end user is currently on a different email client, the time to migrate the end-user from the old email client to the new one must be taken into consideration.
- Migration strategies for contact and calendar information will vary depending on which programs are currently in use by the end-user.
- Because email is typically forwarded from Pobox to Mi8's servers, messages are not filtered for spam at either end
- The end user cannot differentiate between different email accounts that are pushed to their handheld. Every email, regardless of the account is placed in the common inbox.
- LSP's will need an account on Mi8's server in the same group as the users they are supporting.
- While Meeting Maker can synchronize with Outlook, there are additional configuration steps that are necessary. Please refer to the Blackberry MeetingMaker configuration instructions for more details.
Initial Setup Instructions
The first step would be to initiate contact with Mi8 and work with them to create the accounts you require. Please contact the Provider desk to discuss your needs and for vendor contact information (prodesk@isc.upenn.edu, 215-573-4017)
Upon setup of your accounts with Mi8, you will receive a series of detailed instructions via email. Included will be instructions on setting up the Administration program (Q Administrator) as well as information on configuring the Blackberry to receive email from Mi8's Microsoft Exchange servers.
A couple of points to note:
- One step in the instructions indicates that you will need to change your MX records to point to their servers. This is not necessary as we recommend forwarding the user's mail instead. If MX records were adjusted for Pobox (as an example), email for every account on Pobox would be redirected to Mi8's servers.
- There is now no longer a need to physically connect the Blackberry with a desktop computer. All synchronization, updating and joining to Mi8's Exchange servers is done wirelessly.
