iPhone and Exchange 2003 ActiveSync

Throughout the year I've had numerous requests from clients to have their Apple iPhones connect with Microsoft Exchange server. Up until recently, my iPhone and Exchange implementations have all been via Imap. Configuring Exchange 2000 and 2003 Imap service with the Iphone is pretty straightforward. On the other hand, implementing ActiveSync with the Iphone seems to require a little extra effort and attention to detail. Recently I had an ActiveSync iPhone issue with Exchange 2003 and the lack of data after what appeared to be a successful sync. User account verification was successful and the iPhone displayed the Updated status but showed no new emails. Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and other ActiveSync enabled phones connecting to the same Exchange 2003 server worked fine. The following additional configuration on the server is what helped resolve the issue for me.

• Verify Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 is installed
• Install SSL Certificate from Iphone supported root CA or self signed (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2185)
• On the Exchange 2003 server enable RPC over HTTP Proxy under Windows Components > Networking Services
• In Exchange System Manager Enable RPC-HTTP back-end server
• From Exchange System Manager enable Outlook Mobile Access. Check off all options under Mobile Services Properties. (  View image ) 
• Add RPC-HTTP registry entries (http://www.petri.co.il/configure_rpc_over_https_on_a_single_server.htm)
• In IIS create a secondary Exchange virtual directory if using forms based OWA login. If your configuring Exchange 2003 on Small Business Server 2003 the secondary virtual directory has already been created and is called exchange-oma. Under Authentication Methods, select Basic and Integrated authentication with a back slash for Default domain.  ( View image )
  (http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=817379)
• Verify IIS Rpc virtual directory Authentication Methods and Secure Communications configuration. Select Basic authentication and enter domain name without .com or .local under Default domain. ( View image )
• Verify, enable SSL and require 128-bit encryption options on Rpc virtual directory
• Enable Exchange Imap service
• Confirm ports 80, 443 and 143 open in firewall
• Make sure IP configuration for default website in IIS is set to *All Unassigned*
• Restart IIS

Before configuring iPhone to connect to Exchange, test to see if RPC over HTTP is functioning correctly with either Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007. (Configure RPC over HTTP) If Outlook successfully connects via RPC over HTTP, then the settings below should work for the iPhone.

iPhone settings:

• Add Account > Microsoft Exchange
• Enter email address
• Mail Server > hostname.domain.com
• Domain > domain without .com or .local
• Username > domain\username ( username without domain\ for SBS 2003 Exchange)
• Use SSL > ON
• Mail > ON
• Contacts > ON
• Calendar > ON

Any comments or questions welcomed.