Step 7: Manage and Configure Windows Mobile Devices

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6/2/2010

As an administrator using Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, you now have tools designed to set and enforce mobile device security policies. You can also control some of the features on mobile devices by using provisioning tools.

This topic provides you with instructions and pointers for setting up a mobile device connection to Exchange Server 2007 (establishing an Exchange ActiveSync partnership).

Setting Up a Mobile Device Connection to the Exchange Server

If mobile users have a data usage plan through a mobile operator, Exchange ActiveSync on the mobile device can be used to synchronize e-mail, contacts, calendar, and tasks over the air. Alternatively, they can use Desktop ActiveSync to partner their device that runs Windows Mobile 6 with an Exchange Server by using a USB cable from a desktop computer that is connected to your network.

Regardless of the connection method, you will need to provide users with the following information before they can synchronize with your Exchange Server:

  • The address of your external mail server.
  • Their respective Exchange usernames, passwords, and domains that they will use to access your Exchange Server.

Your users can use ActiveSync on their mobile devices or on their computer to choose which types of data, such as contacts, calendar, tasks, and e-mail,that they will synchronize with Exchange. You may advise your users to uncheck any data types that should not be stored on their mobile devices.

Note

For more information about ActiveSync, including step-by-step instructions, visit the Windows Mobile Web site at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=37728.

If your users use the desktop ActiveSync setup, advise them to be sure to choose the option to synchronize their mobile devices directly with the Exchange Server. Direct Push technology and security policy enforcement will be effective only when the devices are synchronized directly with the Exchange Server. Synchronizing mobile devices with the desktop computer is not recommended.

Connecting to an Exchange Server Over the Air (OTA) or Over a Wireless Network

Your mobile device users can use ActiveSync in Windows Mobile 6 to synchronize directly with their Exchange Server.

The first time a user starts ActiveSync on their mobile device, they will see two options: to synchronize using the desktop computer, and to synchronize directly. If your users have the address of their Exchange Server and know their respective Exchange usernames, passwords, and domains, the ActiveSync wizard will walk them through the steps.

To connect a device that runs Windows Mobile 6 to an Exchange Server:

  1. On the Home screen, choose Start, choose Programs, choose ActiveSync, choose Menu, and then choose the Configure Server tab. If the mobile device has not yet been synchronized with Exchange Server, Add Server Source… will be the available option.

  2. In Edit Server Settings, enter the name of the server that is running Exchange, and then choose Next.

  3. Enter your user name, password, and domain name, and then choose Next. If you want the mobile device to save your password so that you will not need to enter it again the next time that you connect your mobile device to Exchange, select the Save password check box.

  4. Select the check boxes for the types of information items that you want to synchronize with Exchange Server. To change available synchronization settings, select the type of information that you want to synchronize, and then choose Settings.

  5. Choose Finish.