Configuring and Implementing Entourage X for Mac

As an alternative to the Outlook options, Microsoft also provides the Entourages client platform for the Mac operating system. This option is very effective for Mac users because it provides both the same look and feel that Mac users are familiar with and the functionality of Outlook and Exchange.

The most compatible platform with the Mac operating system, Entourage X provides support for email, calendaring, and contact management when combined with software that enables support from Exchange 2003. Administrators can leverage the Entourage client to provide a compatible look and feel to Mac users while still providing full integration with the Windows client and enabling access to Exchange 2003 data.

Features and Functionality

The Entourage X client software combined with the Exchange Update provides enhanced functionality of the Entourage client and integration with the Exchange platform.

CAUTION

The Entourage X client and Exchange Update software available from Apple has been certified only for the Microsoft Exchange 2000 platform. Test all components and functionality of each in a lab environment before connecting any Entourage X clients to the Exchange 2003 organization.

When combined with the Exchange Update, Entourage X provides extensive support and enhanced functionality in the following areas:

• HTML Email Support With the Exchange Update for Entourage X, HTML email format is fully supported, providing seamless integration with Windows-based Outlook clients.

• Outlook Functions As with Outlook, Entourage X provides full support for calendaring, contacts, and scheduled tasks , integrated fully with Exchange 2003.

• Offline Address Book Entourage X provides full synchronization of the Exchange 2003 offline address book.

• LDAP Support Using the Entourage client, Mac users can now access the Global Address List.

• Palm Support With Exchange Update from Entourage X, users can synchronize Exchange data with Palm handheld devices.

Deploying Entourage X

Requirements for installing Entourage X vary slightly from the requirements of Outlook and other Exchange solutions. Before installing and configuring Entourage X clients, administrators must ensure that minimum hardware requirements and the Exchange prerequisites have been configured. In addition, the client must be updated and installed with the required updates and software to support connectivity to Exchange.

Before installing Entourage, ensure that the following requirements and configurations have been enabled on the Exchange server:

• Microsoft Exchange 2000 Service Pack 2 or later

• IMAP/HTTP DAV/SMTP/LDAP

• Outlook Web Access

After the Exchange server has been configured, address the hardware and software requirements for installing Entourage by reviewing Table 27.5 and the software prerequisites.

Test the Mac client desktop hardware to ensure that it meets the minimum hardware requirements to install Entourage X, as listed in Table 27.5. If you do not know what hardware is installed on the Mac client, use the Mac System Profiler available on the Tools menu of the Mac client to display and evaluate the hardware of the Mac desktop.

Table 27.5. Entourage X for Mac Hardware Requirements

Processor	Memory	Hard Disk Space
G3, Mac OS Xcompatible	128MB	196MB available disk space

After the Exchange server has been prepared and the hardware requirement for Entourage addressed, the next components to support Entourage are the updates and software requirements for the Mac client. Before the installation of Entourage X can be completed, the following components must be installed or updated in the Mac client:

• Microsoft Office for Mac Update To support Entourage, the Microsoft Office installation on the Mac client must be updated to version 10.1.2 or higher.

• Microsoft Exchange Update When connecting Entourage X to Exchange, the next component to be installed is the Exchange Update for Entourage X. Download this update from the Microsoft Mactopia Web site at:

  http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx?pid=download&location=/mac/DOWNLOAD/OFFICEX/exchangeupdate.xml&secid=5&ssid=14&flgnosysreq=True

After all updates have been completed and requirements met, the installation of Entourage X can be completed and the Entourage client connected to Exchange. To configure the Entourage client for Exchange support, follow these steps:

Enhancing Authentication with NTLM V2

To further leverage the available features of Windows and Exchange, administrators can enable NTLM version 2 for authentication of Mac users when connecting with Entourage clients.

To encrypt a password using NTLM V2, select the properties of the Exchange mail account and select the Advance Features tab. Enable password encryption by selecting the Always use secure passwords option.

1. Launch the Entourage X client, and select Tools, Accounts.

2. Select the Exchange service from the New drop-down box.

3. Enter the user information for the account connecting to Exchange with the client:

   • Account Name This is the name on the account created in Active Directory for the Mac user.

   • Password Provide the password for the Active Directory account or leave this entry blank to prompt the user to log in when connecting to Exchange.

   • Domain Name Enter the name of the Active Directory domain where the account is a member.