Question

Installing Blackberry Enterprise Server Express

Asked by: Dilan77

Hi

We are running Exchange 2003 SP2 on two Windows 2000 SP4 servers - currently we have about 30 users. No plans for expansion. The servers themselves are Compaq DL380's, 4 x 3.2 GHz Intel Zeon CPU's with 1 GB RAM.

Some of the directors required Blackberry's, so we signed a contract with O2 for 5 BB devices, CAL's etc and the Blackberry Enterprise Server Express 4.1 product.

I've downloaded the software from the RIM site. A few questions -

i) I was planning on using one of the Exchange servers to double up as a BES server. Is this a good idea, or should I build a completely new Exchange for BES functionality?
ii) We do not have SQL, is this a requirement?
iii) Are there any installations issues anyone is aware of?
iv) The software I've downloaded is labelled Blackberry Enterrpise Server for MS Exchange v4.1.1. There is no mention of Express. Is this usually the case?

Many thanks in advance.

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Asked On
2006-08-02 at 03:19:13ID21940339
Tags

blackberry

,

server

,

enterprise

,

install

Topic

Blackberry Programming

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2006-08-02 at 06:23:27ID: 17233000

1. It isn't recommended to install BES on your exchange server.  I would recommend a basic server running Server 2003 with SP1.  I do occasionally install BES on Small Business Server for customers but you have to be extremely careful as many apps (e.g. VERITAS Backup EXEC) use or take over MSDE causing issues with BES.  I normally install HP Proliant ML110 servers for BES 4.1 install running up to 50 users, this easily handles the load and seem to run without any glitches.

2. SQL isn't required as it uses MSDE (also included in the BES install).  SQL is only required on sites running hundreds of users.

3. The only issues I normally see is people not following the correct install procedure.  Everyone seem to make the mistake of install BES as an administrator and setting the permissions for the BESadmin account incorrectly.

4. BES Express and Enterprise are the exact same software, the only difference is Express is limited to 15 users.  The Express version can be upgraded to Enterprise by changing the SRP ID and Auth CAL.

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2006-08-02 at 07:22:51ID: 17233549

More on Point 3, here is a quick guide I wrote up for you:

Gary's Blackberry 4.1 install guide for Exchange

1. Install Exchange System on BES Server.  Ensure that it is the exact SP as the Exchange Server.   Also ensure the port 3101 TCP is open on the firewall.

2. Create a new user called BESadmin and ensure you create a mailbox.  Ensure this user is ONLY a member of "Domain users"

3. Make BESadmin a local Administrator of the BES server

4. Go to Admin Tools on open "Local Security Policy" and expand the "Local Policies" and "User Right Assignment".  You need to add BESadmin to "Log on Locally" and log on as Service".

5. Open Exchange System Manager and right mouse click on "DOMIANNAME (Exchange)" and select Delegate Control.  Follow the steps and add BESadmin as an Exchange View Only Administrator.

6. In Exchange manager expand the servers folder and right mouse click on your server and select properties.  On the properties windows select BESadmin and add the permissions "Administer Mailbox Store, Receive As, Send As"

7. Open Active Directory and from the View menu select "Advanced Features".  Then go to each user that will be added to the BES and open their properties, go to the security tab and add the user BESadmin and add the security permission "Send As". (This will overcome some MS patches that prevent BES sending emails)

8. Log on as BESadmin and install the BES software, normally you just install "BlackBerry Enterprise Server" as most sites don't use the MDS services (MDS is a much heavier install).  Follow the prompts of the install and the server will be required to restart half way through the install.  Restart the server and log back on as BESadmin and the install will continue. (Make sure the Connect Test works and the SRP ID etc is validated during the install)

9. After the install is finished open BlackBerry Manager, an error will appear about MAPI client which you can just hit OK.  The MAPI setting windows will appear so just add the server name back in and select "Check Name", if it resolves just hit OK and the manager will start.

10. Within Blackberry Manager click on Blackberry Domain in the left column and then the users SERVERS tab in the centre section, select your server within this tab and view the properties below.  Ensure that "SRP Status:" is Connected (This can take a few minutes the first time so refresh the screen a few times).  Once your status is connected you can start adding users.

11. Within Blackberry Manager click on you server name in the left column and then the users TAB in the centre section, just add a user and the click on that user.  You will see all the users’ properties and a drop down menu called "Service Access” and select “Set Activation Password” and set a password of “a” for example.

12. Turn on you BlackBerry device and ensure Wireless is enabled.  Go into “Options/Settings” and “Time & Date” and set the correct zone and time etc.  Then from the home screen go to enterprise activation and enter the users email address and enter the password that was set in step 10.  Press the track wheel and select Activate.  Within a minute you should get data returned which indicates the process is functioning correct.


Extra

a. Also ensure you review the IT Policy in BlackBerry Manager. This can be found in BlackBerry Domain > Global TAB > Edit properties.  It is recommended that in the IT Policy you go into “Device Only Items” and set “Enable WAP config” to FALSE, this will force user to use the free browser (It uses the internet connection of your BES server)

b. If you are unable to activate devices wirelessly you can test your connectivity to Blackberry buy running the following app from the command prompt:

   C:\Program Files\Research In Motion BlackBerry Enterprise Server\Utility\BBSrpTest.exe

This will send a signal to BB and wait for a response, it this fails check your firewall settings (open and/or direct port 3101 TCP to you BES server)






 

by: Dilan77Posted on 2006-08-02 at 07:31:03ID: 17233625

Thanks mate, really appreciate it.

We don't use SQL here, so I am trying to install MSDE on the server. It keeps coming up with a message saying the sa password is not strong enough and
to use the SAPWD switch to change it.

Do you know much about this?

Cheers

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2006-08-02 at 07:49:37ID: 17233813

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/distsql/distsql_84xl.asp

I would seriously consider getting another server and install Server 2003 and SP1, this way the BES install will automatically MSDE for you and it will work just fine.  A Pentium 4 3Ghz with 1 GB RAM will do the job fine.  I don't know the exact reason for your current MSDE issue

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2006-08-02 at 07:55:26ID: 17233884

**Continued - I accidentally hit SUBMIT before I was finished typing**

...but it sounds like you already have a version install and you may need to us the upgrade switch.  Have a read of the link above and this normally help you resolve these errors.  Normally 2000 requires you to edit the setup ini file for MSDE to be installed.

 

by: JConchiePosted on 2006-08-02 at 08:52:47ID: 17234520

I would disagree with gary on only one point.....if you have less than 100 handhelds.....and if the hardware has enough capacity....mainly lots of ram. (Rim recommends 1gig just for the BES and an additional gig for the attachment service)....there is nothing inherently wrong with running BES on the same box as your exchange server.......we have done so without trouble for four years.

 

by: Dilan77Posted on 2006-08-02 at 09:09:31ID: 17234692

I decided to install the BES on a new server altogether, running Windows 2003 SP1.

The issue with installing MSDE was resolved by navigating to the MSDE install directory and running the following at the command prompt:
setup SAPWD="<password>"

Gary's instructions were spot on, and the installation seems to have run smoothly. Next step is adding the users and attaching the devices to them!

Cheers for the details steps Gary - much appreciated.

Regards,
Dilan

 

by: jim3725Posted on 2009-03-05 at 11:47:00ID: 23809680

I want to use a separate BES 2003 server for running bes express. I thought about running it on an XP workstation, with 2gb ram. Is that possible?
Also I don't understand the reasoning for installing exchange 2003 on this new server or xp workstation.
I have done all the other steps regarding the besadmin privledges.
Please advise

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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