Basically, the issue was as follows - iPhone 3GS did not want to accept MS Exchange account.
Email configuration would simply fail - we were getting 'account verification failed' error.
We had the following setup:
- Small Business Server 2003
- iPhone 3GS
- Draytek Vigor 2820 router
Summary of the problem below:
- The iPhone did not want to connect to the Exchange when using 3G or Wifi network.
- The settings we were providing during email configuration were identical to those of OWA (Outlook Web Access) settings, ex. server address: mail.domainname.com (which was simply forwarded to the public IP address of the server)
- We were able to access OWA interface without any problems using any browser and even Safari browser on the iPhone.
- After a few tests we realised that we were able to configure the iPhone when it was connected to the network using local WiFi and we provided local name of the Exchange (local name of the computer) but not when using the external address of the server.
- All relevant ports on the router were forwarded to the server properly.
How we approached the problem:
- After a few unsuccesfull attempts we decided to test the iPhone first. With that in mind we configured an email account from a different server which we knew was working fine. We had no problems getting that account working. At that stage we knew that the iPhone itself was not a problem.
- We have double, and triple-checked all router settings. Couldn't find the problem.
- Because we knew the iPhone worked when connected directly to the server using the server's local name we thought that the problem must have been the router or some other settings related to the internet connection. Based on that we have: upgraded the router firmware (nothing changed) and then even brought a different router which we were sure worked well - nothing changed.
We have also verified server certificates etc. Everything seemed to be fine.
What the hell is the problem? And then... Eureka! I have realised that, some time ago, somewhere, I had read that iPhones use ActiveSync to synchronise with the MS Exchange.
From there it was easy path. I realised that ActiveSync together with Outlook Mobile Access (OMA) NOT Outlook Web Access (OWA) is used to synchronise MS Exchange with Windows Mobile devices. And... the same is true for iPhones!
I went back to the server, re-run Configure Internet and E-mail and Internet Connection wizard and - Voila! I found out that Outlook Mobile Access was NOT enabled on our SBS2003 server.
After enabling Outlook Mobile Access the iPhone (and few other ones that were waiting in the queue) started working like a dream!
All posts I had seen regarding iPhone and Exchange configuration suggested that the only settings required to configure the iPhone communication were Outlook Web Access settings. But, as you can see from the above, that's not entirely true!
Obviously is some instances you (or your network admin) may have configured OWA and OMA using the same settings and even the same server address, however, that's not necessarily the rule. Therefore, if you do experience any problems getting your iPhone talking to the SBS2003 make sure that the Outlook Mobile Access is enabled on the server to start with.
Hope this chaotic blog will help at least some of you guys.
All the best!
K.Z.
