Exchange 2000 Synchronization

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Hi
We have just installed Windows 2000 and Exchange 2000; we upgraded specifically because we want to be able to view Diaries in a regional office (and we want them to be able to view our diaries too). We were told by the company that installed it that Active Directory allowed us to do this, but now they say that the only way for it to work constantly is for the line to be permanantly connected (we have a router installed at each site, and this syncronizes the Active Directory @ 5:00pm each nite—it also does a Send and Receive between Offices every hour but then hangs up).

I can’t imagine that there isn’t a way for our Diaries to be replicated at nite, then we each view the other Sites Calendar ‘Off-Line’. As stated, the company that installed this insists that Exchange/Active Directory has no such ‘Off-Line’ feature with Syncronization—it must be done live.

Is this correct? If so, is there an Add-in that can allow us to view our Regional Office’s Calendars Off-Line?

Thank you in anticipation for any help or clarity on this matter. 8)

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Each office has their own server?

I think you can use site replication and should have access to offline data, it would only be accurate to the last sync, but you know that.

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Thanks, that’s what I thought, but our IT support insists it’s not possible; they imply that replication only involves changes to users, etc, e.g., a new user is added; permissions are changed, etc. This is what they say is synchronized at nite, not Outlook Folders, such as users’ Diaries, In-box, etc. Perhaps they think we need a VPN? Do we?

Our situation is as follows:

2 Sites
Each Site has a Win2K Server
Each Site has a Router
The Routers connect periodically to send and receive mail; at 5:00 each nite, Active Directory synchronizes
WIN2K also has an ADSL line (seperate from the Router) which each user should be able to use to surf the Net (this is a Dial-up to an ISP on a ‘Surf Anytime’ package, i.e.,

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i think replication is for public folders – not mailboxes. it should apply to free/busy too -but may only show the state (free or busy), not details.

VPN would be a solution if both servers are accessible from the ADSL line.

Also – if the ADSL is a set monthly fee, why don’t the servers use it to connect remotely? Is it a full time connection or dial on demand?

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So there’s no way to replicate mailboxes, i.e., see our regional offices’ Diaries Off-Line?

I’m gobsmacked!

I don’t know why the Routers are set to use a Dial-Up rather than the ADSL, but this is obviously (I hope) an option (but why haven’t they suggested it???????).

Regardless, I am still totally gobsmacked that Microsoft hasn’t invented a way to see other users’ diaries off-line via Exchange? I thought the service they introduced was so that other users outside of your organization could see your Diary, if you have regular meetings.

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part of the problem is you have two different message stores and sharing is dependant on the same message store or continous access to the other store.

maybe the IT guys never thought about using the ADSL for the servers – if they always used dialup v]before you got dsl and it worked, why mess around? It also has the potential to be more secure, depending on a large number of factors.

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Thanks again for your prompt reply Mary. While this will be great if it works with ADSL in our main regional office, we have a couple of users who are in Council Offices, and we would like them to have this facility too. Am I dreaming, or is there a way that a remote user (e.g., working from home or another office) can use his or her Outlook program locally, then Dial-In periodically to update (not a laptop synchronization).

Thanks again.

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