Outlook 2007 Exchange Sync issue over VPN with Wireless Broadband

thanks heaps Nelson for assisting - we are using DYNDNS for IP Address redirection, but am now connecting, just to the fixed IP address of the server and connecting successfully

so, if you are now connecting fine the problem is with the dyndns. I use dyndns for my clients that have dynamic ip's but would never use it in an environment using an exchange server.  I would ask the isp for a static ip, change my dns entries, and then all should be fine.  

thanks Nelson, sorry for not clarifying, but yes, we were using DYNDNS for the IP Address redirection, but now are just connecting to the Network via the static IP address that we have with our ISP.  And the weird thing is, that as we said when we connect not using our Telstra wireless Broadband connection, it connects fine!

do you have your clients set up in cached mode for outlook.

yes - confirming Cached Mode in Outlook 2007, not downloading shared or public folders . . .

thanks so much for your detailed thoughts The_Dark1, did a full removal of the Telstra software, including registry entries etc... rebooted, installed again and unfortunately, the same issue.  They don't have any VPN options in the connection manager software, so unfortunately lucked out there.

Confirming as well, that can see and ping other machines, including the server on the network.

Am connected to Exchange at the moment, but it is still stuck 'Synchronizing Server Changes' etc...

thanks Nelson, confirming that this is unchecked.

Please see below for details of configuration screens in the Advanced Configuration section of Outlook 2007

Here's another thought...

Have you tried using Outlook 2007 native RPC over HTTP?

So long as your exchange server supports it......

just to be clear this only happens with a WIRELESS connection but not with a wired connection as stated here.  am i correct to say it ALWAYS works with a wired connection

"However, the weird thing is that the folders just won't synchronise in outlook when connected via the Wireless Broadband HSDPA modem!"

Thanks for the thought re : RPC over HTTP, did think about that and had a look around, but couldn't get clear instructions for it - as anyone have good tips re : this ?

Thanks Nelson, confirming that this issue only happens with our Broadband HSDPA modem connection, not normal wireless or wired connections.

I think that everything is probably okay with everything but your telstra connection.

everything you say works, except when you connect via your nextg wireless modem is that correct?

firstly, what modem are you using?

Have you tested this device on a XP Pro laptop or similar?

I know that telstra isnt going to give you any service running Windows 7 - they probably dont even know what it is.

How are you VPNing into the server - PPTP? IPsec? SSL?

Are there any issues with accessing files across the network?

"Am also VPN'ing in at the moment on a different computer and Exchange connects and synchronises okay."

Sorry I didnt see this before. How is this being done - IE OS & Wireless connection?

hmmm.... i'm in the US and not familiar with Telstra but have you spoken with them....dont settle for anyone less than a level 3 tech....  if anything tell them "thats not a knife...." haha

pls post or send any exchange logs that have been created.....by now you should be logging any Xchng errors

I am not sure if Telstra employ any Level 3 techs - well any that mere morals can access! :-D

Thanks all, to answer your questions:

• Yes, everything works when using when using the Telstra Nextg Wireless HSDPA Modem ie. able to view Server & other File Shares on the network and browse the Internet 
• Haven't tested it on another laptop, but will this evening 
• Just using standard MS VPN into the Server, i think that is just PPTP ? 
• No issues in accessing files across the network 
• The VPN from the other computer is same configuration ( Windows 7, Office 2007, SBS 2003 ) as this laptop and disconnecting from a separate Internet connection, back to the main office and synchronising fine 
• Surprisingly, there are no Exchange errors in the Exchange Logs, just network connection errors when I did SCANOST 

This is gonna hurt my brain to night....its 2am here in the states so gotta go but i'll continue helping in the morning (atleast morning for me)

thanks so much, appreciate it !

please find attached the Outlook 2007 screen, showing where it looks like it's synchronizing, but stays on this screen

and also, our wireless broadband status card, showing after 15 mins, hardly any data transferred . . .

to use RPC over HTTP
you need a SSL Certificate (either self assigned or purchased)
you need to install it on to the device you wish to connect RPC over HTTP into the "Trusted Certificates"

You can follow these instructions:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc179036.aspx

It is very similar to OL2003 and using that over RPC over HTTP

Here is another link, it is for OL2003 however the connection method remains the same for both versions... just a difference in installing the certifcate...

I cannot stand telstra... bashed my head against so many walls talking to them.

the link:

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/outlookrpchttp.html

woops

Couple of things,

1. How is your VPN connection established is it IPSEC over UDP or TCP?

2. Can you access any other network resources while connected to the VPN via the wireless card or are you having the same problem.

3. How large is the exchange mailbox? With cached mode this shouldn't be an issue, but just to be thorough.

I have had instances with some ISP's that block TCP vpn traffic, so you may need to switch the connection to UDP. You will get connected, but nothing will happen after that.

Futher to NaughtyNats Comments, I think you mentioned this is Win7?
Is this the RC Edition or the Full Version? As when I had the RC edition of Win7 I couldnt get OL007 working either, I needed to settle for RPC over HTTP...

WIth Win7 Ent Edition it has worked perfectly...

Does this configuration work on other versions of the MS OS Suite? (XP, Vista)

I thought Win7 was suppose to just work! :-)

Gotta love Windows (or Microsoft's I should say) ideal of "everything just works"

If it did, I wouldnt have a job sadly :(

:)

Thanks so much everyone, for all of your assistance.

Please see below for updates and answers to your questions:

• Have tested on another laptop ( also Win 7 ) and unfortunately, the same issue.  Don't have another laptop available that isn't Win 7 - that's the problem with being too efficient and upgrading everyone ! :-) 
• VPN we believe is just set up as standard, being TCP  |  Auric1983 - good point, regarding opening the UDP port and / or setting up the VPN, to use UDP - do you know where I can access that setting? 
• Can definitely access other network resources when successfully VPN into Server - including successfully connecting to Exchange, just not Synchronising! 
• Nothing in Exchange error logs 
• Exchange Mailbox is 8Gb ( big i know, but keep in mind, that it was actually working successfully when it was at 10Gb, till I archived ) 
• The BigPond modem we are using is Sierra Wireless AC880E 7.2 Mobile Card and the software is BigPond Wireless Broadband Connection Manager 2.13.6 
• Using full verion Win 7 Ultimate RTM 
• Would like to try RPC over HTTP, but it isn't patched to SP2, as had issues with MMC snap-in when doing that, so it looks messy to setup, but will work at giving that a go. 

Here is something worth a try, I have noticed that applications that dont support Windows 7 have their little hicups, if we believe the issue is the Telstra card (which is something I am leaning to) Why not try to run (install the app) in "Compatibiity Mode"

Right click on the Telstra application's exe, and select the Compatibility tab, and run the application in XP SP2/SP3 or Even Vista...

Given your above settings, I cannot see anythnig further to change or modify, as if you communication with everything else on your network, there shouldnt be anything else to modify...

You have tried this on a differenet type of internet connection yes? IE Internet cafe, or from your home DSL Connection? And that works (Either cabled or wireless... What i mean is, does it work with any other type of DSL Connection external to your business?

Thanks for that, good thought, hadn't thought about the compatibility settings; just tried it with the compatibility set for XP SP2 and unfortunately, still no joy.

Confirming that yes, was able to synchronise at the airport lounge with their wireless Internet connection and also 2 separate external, wired DSL connections ( am on that now and it synchronises ok damn it )

Does anyone think the size of the OST file could be the issue ?  Have quick speeds to syncronise with over the wireless HSDPA am going to try with a new mailbox and let you know how it goes; but on that point, have already redone this Outlook profile, so don't know if that is the issue.

Will also look at re-imaging the laptop, but it has the same issue on a separate laptop, maybe will have the same issue again; oh the joy!

That was my next suggestion, try a different mailbox... however I cant see that helping too much as if the file sync's locally on the network, it is only ever going to sync changes on the file... which would not be Gigs in size... megs maybe... (pending on the amount of time between sync) but not gigs...

Its Telstra and Windows 7 ... enemies....lol

Let me know how you go with the new mailbox

Well you are a very persistant in trying to get this to work!

Yes as its cached it shouldnt be an issue but wouldnt be suprised since it is an absolute monstor @ 8GB! I always set limit of 2GB even for myself!

Everything points towards issue with telstra.

I dont have any 880, only the 885 which are quite different and the telstra wireless gateways - so I can not test unfortunately with my system.

Have you been game enough to try and get any sense out of telstra about the issue? or they jsut say W7 isnt supported?

Did you get any further in this matter?

sorry for the delay, narrowing it down to Server issues, as re-created Outlook profile and size of OST file climbed to 15Gb ?? when on other machine it is down to 3Gb

will report back shortly !

Thanks so much for all your assistance guys, it was the weirdest thing we have encountered where it was sporadically working and then not.

So, in frustration we have decommissioned that server and commissioned a new SBS 2008, where it works fine!

So, we now know that Telstra Next G, along with Windows 7 and SBS 2008 work !!

Thanks again to all for your assistance, please understand me sharing the points around, as you all did assist . . .