Exchange Server, Entourage, and Apple Mail

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Exchange Server, Entourage, and Apple Mail

Our firm uses Exchange Server 2003 (OWA included). We all connect to the Server using Office 2003 running Windows XP. For various reasons, the server is always connected via what Microsoft calls "RPC over HTTP" configuration. So far we are happy with what we run...

Until now, that is.
I have a Macintosh and Entourage 2004 (running Mac OS 10.4.6), and I am running into account setting problem.

1. Exchange Server cannot be seen unless I use "http://mail.example.com/myname" name on Account Setup window. (replace example.com with my Exchange Server name, and myname with my own account name) With the above set up, I have no problem editing/entering contact information and calendar.

2. Can't look up the company's directory. It cannot find LDAP directory. However, at this moment, I don't know whether our server has LDAP service, so I am checking with IT manager in our server farm about it.

3. Can't send e-mail AT ALL. I receive error "-18597". It tells me my mail account is configured incorrectly.

4. Funny thing is... I have no problem accessing and sending e-mail from Apple Mail, configured with Exchange Server. It still doesn't see the company's directory, but it has no problem sending mails.

Our IT manager is a complete I *t when it comes to Macintosh, so he cannot be reliable on this. Please help.

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on May 26, 2006 11:47 PM

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Answer 1

May 29, 2006 3:29 AM in response to kevinwoo

Well that's bizarre, since I have the opposite problem. I can connect to the Exchange Server using Entourage 2004 no problem. However I do not use the Outlook http:// type access, I simply typed in the Exchange server address something like SEBNN-EX002. Then Entourage went off and established all the connections et voila.!

But there are issues however. Entourage could not connect to the address server, so I think that's an LLDP problem but I'm not too bothered about that. Also I think some of the Calender implementations have a few bugs. For example, you can't drag-and-drop a mail item onto the calender icon to create an event, you have to right-click and use the built-in scripts to do it. Also, inviting attendees to a meeting is a bit hit/miss.

I would actually like to use Apple Mail instead, but have never been able to configure it to run - it always gets the "cannot connect to exchange server" error. An y advice would be welcome.

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Answer 2

May 29, 2006 6:08 AM in response to Rob Hancox

This page helped me and my IT guy to get Entourage working with the Exchange server where I work.

Basically, the Exchange server would refuse my connection unless I had a Digital ID. Now it works, but I still get the root certificate errors, even though when connecting to the Exchange server Entourage notes "Connecting securely" in the status bar.

For home I prefer Mail.app, but for work it's Entourage all the way - just because of Project Center...and because I hate using Outlook over RDP.

Powmac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) Dual 2ghz, 2.5 gigs RAM

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Answer 3

kevinwoo Author

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Jun 5, 2006 4:17 PM in response to Dan Studnicky

Dan.. Thank you for your reply. I also had posted the same question in USENET, and MVPs there pointed to the same page you've mentioned. It gave me an idea, and I was able to solve my problems, albeit I still get the "root certificate error", just as in your case.

What I did was to connect webmail address of the exchange server, using "https://". If you do that with Safari (I would imagine Camino would work too), the required certificate is downloaded to your computer and stored in the Keychain Access. If needed, that can be converted to the right format using Microsoft Cert Manager and voila~ the problem was resolved (save for the root certificate whining).

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Answer 4

gatezone

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Jun 25, 2006 8:58 AM in response to kevinwoo

"4. Funny thing is... I have no problem accessing and sending e-mail from Apple Mail, configured with Exchange Server. It still doesn't see the company's directory, but it has no problem sending mails."

Like the other poster in this thread I am still wrestling with getting Apple Mail to connect to an Exchange server. I have set up many many Exchange accounts and can get it to work on Entourage and even Versamail on a Treo/palm device. But the Exchange option in Apple Mail is somewhat of a joke in terms of what it doesn't do for the user trying to setup an acount. It is almost as if they slapped "Exchange" on pretty much the same settings as imap and pop.

I set up servers and email accounts for a living... so it is pathetic that I can't get my own apple mail client to connect ;-(.

Anyone have it working who can provide a more step by step configuration process or point me to one?

Thanks, GZ

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