Connectivity issues with remote clients using Comcast cable internet

[Dan Jenkins]

I have been using Outlook for Mac for the past 2 years and have had my
share of problems, but none that I couldn't figure out on my own. This
one has got me good. I have been told by a Comcast tech rep that they
have closed access to TCP/IP port 135 and others in response to the
MSBlaster and other Viruses that are using the port to gain access to
MS computers and servers. Since closing these ports, my Mac clients
that use Comcast for internet have been unable to connect to our
Exchange server. When trying to connect they get the login name and
password screen and then the program hangs for a minute before it says
that your exhange server is unavailable. I have reconfigured the
exchange server to use a different TCP/IP port, but I don't know how
to configure the Mac clients to use that port to gain access. If
anyone is having similer problems with Comcast or has any suggestions,
please reply.

 

[William M. Smith]

Hi Dan!

I'm cross-posting your message into the
microsoft.public.exchange.connectivity newsgroup.

In the meantime, the only documentation that I've found about altering ports
suggests you can do so, but must also have 135 open as well. I've never seen
an alternative to that one posted anywere.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;270836

Hopefully someone in the other newsgroup can enlighten us as to what to do
for the Mac client.

bill

 

[Rebecca Harbin]

Hi guys,

You just described the exact same problem I am having.
Unfortunately, I was just informed that OUtlook for Mac
uses port 135 only because it is embedded in the code of
the application. The only way to continue using Outlook
for Mac through the internet is to set up a VPN. Then
you ahve to purchase vpn client software from Netlock
(because Cisco does not have anything that will work).
What a mess!

-----Original Message-----
Hi Dan!

I'm cross-posting your message into the
microsoft.public.exchange.connectivity newsgroup.

In the meantime, the only documentation that I've found about altering ports
suggests you can do so, but must also have 135 open as well. I've never seen
an alternative to that one posted anywere.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en- us;270836

Hopefully someone in the other newsgroup can enlighten us as to what to do
for the Mac client.

bill

 

[William M. Smith]

Hi guys,

You just described the exact same problem I am having.
Unfortunately, I was just informed that OUtlook for Mac
uses port 135 only because it is embedded in the code of
the application. The only way to continue using Outlook
for Mac through the internet is to set up a VPN. Then
you ahve to purchase vpn client software from Netlock
(because Cisco does not have anything that will work).
What a mess!

Hi Rebecca!

Thank you very much for the information.

FYI, I'm using Outlook 2001 through Cisco VPN for Mac OS X to connect to a
Cisco 3000 device and getting to my Exchange server without problems. If you
can upgrade your Mac OS, this may be a solution for you.

bill

 

[Rebecca Harbin]

Hi William!

Unfortunately we cannot upgrade the OS on most of our
machines. Our key application runs only in OS 9, does
not work at all in classic mode, and even crashes the
machine. Also, there is no upgrade (nor will there ever
be) for this application. What a predicament!

Thanks for the response!

Rebecca

-----Original Message-----

 

[GadgetFreak]

Hi Rebecca!

Thank you very much for the information.

FYI, I'm using Outlook 2001 through Cisco VPN for Mac OS X to connect to a
Cisco 3000 device and getting to my Exchange server without problems. If you
can upgrade your Mac OS, this may be a solution for you.

bill

Well Bill, you certainly got my attention with this post. I have the
same setup. The VPN works but not the Outlook/Exchange connection.
At my house if I plug into the cable modem Outlook works, but over a
wireless connection it doesnt. Also tried at the San Francisco
airport this weekend on the wireless network and same result. VPN is
fine, Outlook wont connect. But again, it will connect through the
VPN on a hard wired ethernet connection usually. It even connects
through the wireless network our IT people have set up for testing.
It just wont connect on all wireless networks. Any suggestions?

 

[William M. Smith]

Well Bill, you certainly got my attention with this post. I have the
same setup. The VPN works but not the Outlook/Exchange connection.
At my house if I plug into the cable modem Outlook works, but over a
wireless connection it doesnt. Also tried at the San Francisco
airport this weekend on the wireless network and same result. VPN is
fine, Outlook wont connect. But again, it will connect through the
VPN on a hard wired ethernet connection usually. It even connects
through the wireless network our IT people have set up for testing.
It just wont connect on all wireless networks. Any suggestions?

OK, I'm stumped on this one. d

I'm not experienced with the setup of VPN servers and how they would act
differently over different networks. A tunnel should simply be an extension
of a network and work the same way so long as you're connecting to the same
server. I could understand it not completely working, but I don't understand
why it would partially work.

I'm cross-posting your message into the
microsoft.public.exchange.connectivity group to see if someone there has
seen what you're describing and might suggest some ideas.

bill

 

[Mike R]

OK, I'm stumped on this one. d

I'm not experienced with the setup of VPN servers and how they would act
differently over different networks. A tunnel should simply be an extension
of a network and work the same way so long as you're connecting to the same
server. I could understand it not completely working, but I don't understand
why it would partially work.

I'm cross-posting your message into the
microsoft.public.exchange.connectivity group to see if someone there has
seen what you're describing and might suggest some ideas.

bill

Add me to the list. I have used Outlook for years and have used a VPN
connection for the last year. I just upgraded to OS 10.2, so I
installed the Cisco VPN client. I get the VPN to work, but Outlook
2001 will not connect. If I unplug the SMC router and plug my laptop
directly into the Cable modem, then Outlook works over the VPN.
Other info: I am not using wireless. So the only difference is having
a router in between me and the cable modem. I tried it with the
Firewall turned off, no differnce. I made sure the Cisco client had
the NAT option checked, no difference.
If I boot into OS 9, it works great with the router connected. What
does Outlook not like with this setup?

 

[Mem]

try the www.seasidesw.com

Hi Dan!

I'm cross-posting your message into the
microsoft.public.exchange.connectivity newsgroup.

In the meantime, the only documentation that I've found about altering ports
suggests you can do so, but must also have 135 open as well. I've never seen
an alternative to that one posted anywere.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;270836

Hopefully someone in the other newsgroup can enlighten us as to what to do
for the Mac client.

bill