Blackberries at Penn
From Provider Wiki
Contents |
Background
Full BlackBerry functionality (email, contacts, and calendar synchronisation) cannot be achieved without the use of Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, or Novell GroupWise and an associated BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). For those who need this service, but cannot set up their own server infrastructure, fortunately ISC hosts a Microsoft Exchange with the BES addition. See the ISC Exchange Service website for more details.
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 email from a UNIX server pushed out to a BlackBerry.
Hosted Exchange
ISC runs a Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). In order to take full advantage of the features of Exchange, end users should note the following:
- Users must run Outlook 2003 or another Exchange compatible email client (such as Apple Mail or Microsoft Entourage).
- Migration strategies for contact and calendar information will vary depending on which programs are currently in use by the end-user.
- End users will not be able to differentiate between different email accounts that are pushed to their handheld. Every email, regardless of the account is placed in the common inbox.
- 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 create your ISC Exchange account. Please contact your LSP, or the Provider Desk to begin this process.
If you would like to set up an email client with Exchange, review the following documentation on how to do so.
Finally, your Exchange account must be activated specifically for BlackBerry. Work with your LSP to activate your BlackBerry account.
Miscellaneous
- There is no longer a need to physically connect the Blackberry with a desktop computer. All synchronization, updating and joining to ISC's Exchange service can be done wirelessly.
