RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

No problems with RPC/HTTP here.

Is the advertised address for your service resolving ok and if so, what happens when you try to telnet to it on port 80 or 443 from a command prompt?

Are the ISA servers or firewall where your Exchange server is hosted blocking any ranges?

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Sounds like your port forwarding isnt set up right, sicne you can access it internally but not external that wher ei start first. port forwarding isnt needed on internel welll usual unless it not default ports

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Think you misread the OP, it's nothing to do with port forwarding, if it were we'd be needing port forwarding to browse websites. Port forwarding is only an 'issue' with incoming connections, and there's no reference to 'internal' or otherwise beyond that it works fine over Orange Broadband but apparently not over Virgin Media. Outlook Anywhere is no different from browsing an HTTP(s) site beyond what's carried inside the HTTP(s) payload. Unless OP is running an Exchange server on his Orange DSL there's no inbound / outbound and OP is not hosting the Exchange on his DSL, he just mentions it working ok via Orange.

Port forwarding is not needed internally whether on default or non-default ports. If internal to the server then you aren't going to be going through a firewall / NAT gateway to be port translated but routed which is why port forwarding is a non-issue internally.

Remember that port forwarding is there to overcome dynamic NAT - port forwarding makes the NAT static so that it's a 1:1 relationship between port and machine - come in on port x you will always go to machine y, otherwise you would best case go to a DMZ machine, or most likely the packet would just be dropped as the firewall has no entry in its' state table for the connection.

James - are you using a VPN to access Outlook Anywhere or is it a normal HTTPS / SSL session?

I'm asking as Virgin Media doesn't seem to like VPNs too much - they seem to have issues with fragmented packets.

Also what MTU do you have set on your routers and your PCs?

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

James,

Welcome to to CF :wavey:

I've had this issue before....do you have a firewall enabled? If so - disabled it (for testing) try connected to see what happens - chances are it'll connect and work which will make it a firewall issue.

Don't forget to re-enable the firewall...

Edit: Mods - this is not a VM issue - needs moving to Networking!

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

:(

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

I meant software firewall....

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

I think you shoudl reread it, they said home connection wher eteh whatever it is there trying to access is working. Then they say extrenal virginmedia at uni so explain that one to me please as if that does not qualify as internel external gods know what doe sin your book

Are you unable to read wha ti wrote? i said port forwarding isnt normally needed internal.....

You must only havea problem with VPN with virign as i have 3 vpn connection workign perfectly fine nothing dropped

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Outlook Anywhere does not use VPN. It uses RPC commands sent over port 80 (the HTTP port). This is why assuming web browsing works, port forwarding is not the issue, whether internal or external.

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

i never said it was vpn......

they have already said there behind a router.....

so if port 80 is not forward to the correct machine it would cause problems.....

but i do not have much informatrion on outlook anywhere so can not give specific help only general help to look at but i will just accept what your and others are saying sinc ei do nto know hte program, i also was guessing outlook anywhere was exchange sevrer by a post before mines

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Outlook anywhere isn't a program (as such). It is the web interface to Exchange server..

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Software firewall won't block web browsing :(

---------- Post added at 22:40 ---------- Previous post was at 22:31 ----------

Port forwarding doesn't happen internally full stop, if you have something running on a non-standard port you just point your client to it. Think where ports are forwarded, how and why. Your comment about needing port forwarding if running services on non-standard points internally didn't make sense, if on the same network as the server you won't go through any port or network translation just switched straight to the server.

OP didn't use the word 'external' at any point during their post.

I wanted to check on the VPN component as I needed to eliminate issues with MTUs on VM, I use Outlook Anywhere with no issues from home. Some VPNs struggle with packets being fragmented and need their MTUs dropped so that they don't break MTU.

What might be of value James if you don't have a solution would be if you could get a hold of Wireshark http://www.wireshark.org/ - get it monitoring your network card or wireless depending what you use and then record the packets while you attempt to access the Exchange Anywhere.

I am suspecting the router of doing something silly though, that or OP has an IP address in a former BOGON range and the ISA server or firewall is still configured to block it.

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

so i did get it right although i never knew the web interface was called outlook anywhere, the ports do need to be forwarded then

---------- Post added at 22:47 ---------- Previous post was at 22:44 ----------

there isa rare occassion where port forwarding is required even internally if it none standard ports are used

oh btw software firewall do block web browsing think you should go have anotehr look at them

they said home so that means internal, then said uni that means external unless oyu are tryting to tell me there uni is home then if that was the case they would not havea problem would they? because itnernalyl it is working.......

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

@James it may also be worth checking the login credentials in your mapi profile, inparticular if you're passing the domain part in the username field (in the form: domain\user). This is often required depending on how your techies have configured the front-end or CAS server. You never know, things may have changed on the server side without you knowing... unless you know for sure of course :)

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Strewth. It's not an Exchange server running at this home Andrew, it's elsewhere. It works fine from his Orange broadband ergo it's not an issue with port forwarding at the server side. People rarely run Exchange, which Outlook Anywhere is a front end for, at home.

People who run Exchange servers tend to not mess up things like 'port forwarding' and chances are it's not using port forwarding but static NAT and a virtual IP translating everything going to a public IP to the private IP address of the server in question.

If his software firewall were blocking web browsing he'd have had a rather troubled time posting this thread wouldn't he? I think we're probably safe to ignore that one, and yes I know what software firewalls do, it's why I don't use one of the horrid things ;)

I do hope when you troubleshoot at work you read more carefully. The Exchange server is somewhere in Internet land, it works fine from his Orange DSL, it doesn't from his Virgin Media cable. It's not that he is hosting it locally, sane people don't set up a personal Exchange server on their broadband.

Anyway onto the point.

Irish, either get a packet trace or maybe get the techies who operate the server to see if you are actually reaching it using the Virgin Media cable connection. You mentioned getting a password prompt but you didn't mention at what point, are you seeing the initial screen requesting the logon? Are you giving the full domain and username info if you do according to the prompting? If you're going over ordinary http have you tried going over https?

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Unless he posted from another connection, then port 80 is forwarded fine, as he would not be able to access this website.

---------- Post added at 23:27 ---------- Previous post was at 23:25 ----------

It might if it uses packet inspection.

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

It's that he can reach the server ok from his Orange connection that suggests the firewall / router in front of the server is ok. That he can access this website says that there isn't a software firewall in the way.

I appreciate that they can though of course, as I mentioned it's one of the reasons I don't like them, the way they bind to DNE and mess with packets. Would have to join the queue on this machine.

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

I really don't know what I'm talking about so suggesting that the OP opens Port 135 is probably totally wrong....

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

guess i must be insane then :erm:

as for work well considering i know what i am looking for in the first place no i hardly needed to read, but when i do get it wrong people accept it because i have reading diffucults and i then go onto the right track

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

In that case I want your crystal ball, people still continue to surprise me with the stuff they throw at me, which is how I like it be dull otherwise :angel:

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all of your posts and come now, play nice.
Just to re-iterate some things...
My laptop setup i.e. Software Firewall and Logon Credentials are fine as it works from an 'Orange Broadband' connection.
RPC over HTTP as the name implies uses only the HTTP (80) and HTTPS (443) ports / channels therefore port forwarding is not an issue on my end. Clearly it is at the server end however THIS IS SETUP corrrectly. FYI the Exchange server in question is https://exchange.1and1.co.uk.

Therefore the problem has to lie with either my router down here and its setup or Virgin Media. As I am quite confident in configuring routers I have gone through almost every permutation of security setup etc. but with no joy.

I had not considered that the 1and1 server maybe blocking my IP, I'll contact 1and1 to make sure. Will keep you all posted.

Cheers

Irish

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Couple of things you can do then:

Open your dos prompt and telnet exchange.1and1.co.uk 443

If you see a blank screen with a flashing cursor at top left then it's probably not a host or port filtering issue on either side and you could look at the possibility of your router or VM doing something nasty to your traffic.

Eliminate router as a cause by taking it out of line and connecting pc directly to the cable modem if that's an option. If you're still seeing the problem then your traffic is likely being fiddled with at some point.

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Hi Irish,

The above suggestion to telnet the port will certainly verify that there's no blocking. If you've an IP Address starting with 90 or 92 those were blocked ranges at one point and 1and1 may not have removed them from their lists.

If you end up disconnecting router and plugging straight into modem remember that you'll need to power off the modem before you connect the PC to it, and also remember to make sure you've a firewall of some kind running when you do that ;)

If it still doesn't work even after confirming that you can hit 1and1's address ok straight from PC to modem it points to an issue with VM :(

What University are you at?

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

didn't mean it in the literal term, i mean unlike with general computing the problem could be anywhere, but lets says for example virgin technical support (actually not a good example ) but anyway there only dealing with broadband cable internet so they should know wher ethere faults are. if that makes sense to you

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Not really, the stuff I work with is very focussed but also very complex. While some things are just a case of knowing the solution as you know the problem others require a lot of investigation. It keeps it interesting, knowing the answers to every possible issue says it's time to find a new job :)

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

If i knew the answer to ever problem i would be getting a better pay than i get just now ;) anyway this is off topic so i aint posting unless it about original post

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Hi Guys,

I was able to tenet to exchange.1and1.co.uk successfully (blank screen with cursor flashing) so looks like the router is being a pain in the arse and doing something with my traffic. On that note, can I just take a moment to explain our full setup in the hope that someone out there can help me out on the configuration side of things.

Firstly, our VM service is Internet + TV + Phone and we are using a Scientific Atlanta EPC2100R2 to connect to the cable etc.
Currently we have a Belkin Router (F5D7230-4 6000) connected to the Modem. This belkin router is essentially a DHCP server for our local network - IT DOES NOT HOWEVER SERVE A WIRELESS CONNECTION. For our wireless we have an Apple AirPort Express (on 802.11n+g+b) in 'Bridged' mode this is connected to the router in the normal fashion and the DCHP and IP's etc.. all work fine - local networking and general internet browsing works a treat.

I have removed the Apple AirPort from this equation and it makes no difference to the RPC over HTTP issue originally explained in my first post.

Ideally, I would like to remove the Belkin Router from our setup, however, I failed to get the AirPort Express to recognise the cable modem. I have tried various settings including entering all of the DNS addresses manually with no luck. If anyone out there has successfully connected an AirPort EXPRESS directly to a Scientific Atlanta cable modem can you please give me some insight into the settings on your AirPort?

Also both the Belkin and the AirPort have the latest firmwire updates.

F.Y.I. I am at the University of Plymouth studying BSc (HONS) Computing for anyone who wants to know!

Many Thanks,

James

---------- Post added at 22:48 ---------- Previous post was at 22:43 ----------

Sorry forgot to say in my previous post, the back of my Scientific Atlanta device does have both an Eternet (RJ45?) and USB B connection. I did briefly try to hook up my laptop directly to the Eternet cable but could not get the internet to connect - clearly my IP settings etc were wrong.

Is connecting directly to the modem easier via USB? I dont happen to have any disks ( / drivers) for the device so are there any tips one can give me for getting it setup?

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Did you switch the cable modem off then switch the Airport on? Modem needs a restart before it recognises the new MAC address it's connected to.

You mentioned that the AirPort is running in bridged mode, it needs to be running in routed mode so that it picks up a DHCP lease from the VM network.

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Connect the thernet cable to your laptop again this time turn the modem off for 10-15 seconds ie pull the power out then power it back on it should get a ip if it works fien then it the router thats doing something, ill need to look up the router as i aint familer with it, but i agree with the broadbanding now it aint port forwarding since it a external exchange server and it works fien from your home.

---------- Post added at 22:51 ---------- Previous post was at 22:50 ----------

The way i read the above he was connecting directly to the router so the wireless shouldnt makea difference anyway although i agree it should be in rotued mode

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Hi Guys,

Just an update to say thanks for all your help, the problem has now been resolved. :) After removing the Belkin router from my setup and connecting the AirPort to the cable modem directly my emails now work fine.

So I can now definively say that the Belkin F5D7230-4 6000 with the latest firmwire does filter / block RPC over HTTP traffic.

My thanks to everyone who posted on this thread,

James

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

personally i wouldnt use belkin or dlink had nothing but trouble with them in the past i owuld use netgear but i have another setup ipcop and a switch it does everything the router does and more andcosts nothing

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

The last Belkin router I owned had a disagreement with me then it had a disagreement with a claw hammer. If I recall rightly it was due to being unable to change the http management port, being unable to handle more than 60KB/s without dropping tcp connections and them never having released a firmware update for a router which was no more use than a dead pigeon.

Having dealt with their *ahem* support on numerous occasions everything became clear.

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

Is Outlook even using RPC over HTTP on port 80

I would have thought for internet use it would be RPC over HTTPS on port 443 (I.e SSL) ;)

RPC over HTTP while a nice idea is a Pain in the backside at times.

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

It's not outlook. Outlook anywhere is a web interface for Exchange which, according to Microsoft, does use RPC over port 80..

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...EXCHG.80).aspx


Under benifits of using outlook Anywhere, Which is Connecting outlook via RPC over HTTP(s)

For a minute there I though't they'd launched something new as i've not seen it refered to as outlook anywhere before and From what I read it's just a different way of connecting outlook to an exchange server without the use of a VPN, Hosted exchange providers have been using it for a fair while Afaik.

I'll admit I don't really know much about the RPC over HTTP(s) other than I've used it to connect to a hosted exchange provider before.

(I Googled that page i took the quote from :angel:) so it's quite possible it can use HTTP rather than HTTPS although unless your on a very trusted network I certinally wouldn't want to be doing it without some form of encryption.

Edit: Fixed Typo (and missed several)

Re: RPC over HTTP / Outlook Anywhere
 

RPC/HTTP has been around since Exchange 2003 but none of the clients I've worked with since it's inception have ever shown an interest in using it (apart from the fact that I would strongly discourage iteven behind the relative safety blanket of ISA, let alone over HTTP!).

Fair enough, for your own personal mailbox or within an academic environment the perceived security risks are not so much of an issue but if you're presenting the full OWA experience via the Exchange 2007 CAS there's not much you can do in the Outlook client that you can't do in a browser.