Microsoft Exchange and Blackberry Server Specialists

RPC over HTTPS: Client Setup: Remote Machine not on Domain

RPC over HTTPS Section Home Page

One of the neat features of RPC over HTTPS is that you can use the feature without the host machine being connected to your Windows domain. This is perfect if you have remote staff or want to check your email on your own machine.

However the setup can be a little fiddly and needs to be done in the right order.

Prerequisites

The requirements for this process are just the same as using the feature on your domain.

  • Windows XP SP2 or higher - can be any variant of those versions of Windows (Home, Pro, Ultimate etc)
  • Outlook 2003 or higher
  • High speed internet connection
  • Working RPC over HTTPS configuration

On Outlook 2007 the boxes have slightly different labels, but appear in the same locations - enter the same information.

Where Exchange 2007 or higher is the server, and Outlook 2007 is being used, then these instructions should not be required, as Autodiscover will configure the client for you automatically.

Configuration Instructions

  1. Start the New Account wizard in the usual way, selecting Exchange.

    Screenshot: Email Accounts Selection
    Screenshot: Email Accounts Type
     
  2. Enter the real name of the Exchange server and the username where prompted.
    DO NOT SELECT "Check Name".

    Screenshot: Microsoft Exchange Server Settings
     
  3. Click on More Settings.
    You will get a number of prompts and dialogues. First this one:

    Screenshot: Microsoft Outlook: The connection to the server is unavailable

    Press OK to clear that message.
    Then this one:

    Screenshot: Microsoft Exchange: Confirm servername and username

    Simply press Cancel on that message.
     
  4. This will bring up the additional settings dialogue as normal. Click on the tab "Connection"

    Screenshot: Microsoft Exchange More Settings: General Tab
     
  5. Enable the option "Connect to my Exchange mailbox using HTTP" and then click the button "Exchange Proxy Settings..."

    Screenshot: Microsoft Exchange More Settings: Connection Tab
     
  6. Enter the same information that you do for a domain client.
    • The external name that has the certificate on it
    • The Principle name as msstd:server.domain.com
    • And enable both fast and slow networks, especially if the user is on broadband or another network.

    Screenshot: Microsoft Exchange Proxy Settings
     

  7. After pressing Ok, and then apply, you will get this prompt. Press OK to accept the prompt.

    Screenshot: Microsoft Outlook: You must restart Outlook
     
  8. When you return to the "Microsoft Exchange Server Settings" screen where you first entered the server name and username, press "Check Name". You should now be prompted for a username and password.
    Enter the username in the format domain\username and the usual domain password and press OK.

    Screenshot: Username and Password Entry
  9. The server name and username should now be underlined - in the same way as when setting up a network client. At this point you can press Next and then Finish to close the setup wizard.
     
  10. Outlook will start as normal, but prompt you for username and password. This needs to be entered in the same format as before. You will be prompted each time you start Outlook - which cannot be avoided as Outlook needs to authenticate to the domain.

Errors can be diagnosed in the usual way using the diagnostic screens. More information on diagnosing problems can be found on our diagnostics page.


Recovery of Deleted Items

If you use the Deleted Item Recovery options within Outlook then you should be aware of an additional setting you should make to the Outlook clients. This change is discussed in this KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/886205 and the registry change is available on our recover deleted items page here.