ITS and UVa logos for printed output

Microsoft Exchange

Configure a BlackBerry for UVa’s Exchange Service

Before you start, you may want to connect your BlackBerry to the UVa wireless network.

Your BlackBerry: BES Mode or BIS Mode?

Before you can configure your BlackBerry for Exchange, you must first understand the difference between BES and BIS modes to choose the one most appropriate for your use.

Both BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server) and BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) allow your BlackBerry to get email, as well as retrieve webpages and use third-party applications. All data traffic from your phone goes to the BES/BIS server, and then the BES/BIS server communicates with the world on your behalf.

The difference, ultimately, lies in where the server resides and what it provides:

  BlackBerry BES Connection BlackBerry BIS Connection
Server Resides At UVa With your cell phone provider
Costs One-time UVa licensing fee, plus recurring monthly UVa usage fee No UVa fee; possible fee from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or cell phone carrier
What It Offers Synchronizes with Outlook/Exchange services including Outlook email, calendar, and PIM (Personal Information Manager, such as address book, etc.)

Enables communication with all email systems with standard protocols (such as IMAP and POP3, etc.) but does not provide calendaring or groupware synchronization.
Before You Connect... You must be sure your BlackBerry provider has enabled BES for your account and that you have requested a BES connection with UVa. (See Prepare to Connect.) You must be sure your BlackBerry provider has enabled BIS for your account. (See Prepare to Connect)
Configuration Information Configure Your BlackBerry for Exchange in BES mode Configure Your BlackBerry for Exchange in BIS mode

If you ever decide to switch modes (from BIS to BES, or BES to BIS), it is important for you to know how to switch, and what will happen to existing information on your BlackBerry.

Connect Your BlackBerry to Your UVa Exchange Account

Step 1: Prepare to Connect (BES or BIS Modes)

  1. Before you begin, make sure you have updated your BlackBerry device with all available operating system updates and patches from your vendor. You will be unable to connect to Exchange properly if you have not done this! Download any available updates for your device.
  2. Ensure you have a UVa Exchange account on the UVa Exchange Service. The UVa Centralized Exchange Service has already enabled ActiveSync for you by default.
  3. Verify your BlackBerry provider has enabled the correct mode (BES or BIS) for your account. (See Your BlackBerry: BES Mode vs. BIS Mode? if you do not know which is appropriate for you.) If you are unsure, call your service provider to verify you have the correct service enabled. Your provider probably charges a fee for this service, and it may take a day or two to enable this for your account.
    • BES mode users: Verify that the mobile account on which BlackBerry receives service is provisioned for Enterprise service, not just Internet service.
    • BIS mode users: Verify that the mobile account on which BlackBerry receives service is provisioned for Internet service, not Enterprise service.
  4. If you wish to use BES mode, you must also enable BES service with the UVa Centralized Exchange Service. (This step is not needed for BIS mode users.) As BES requires an additional license, there is a fee—both a one-time licensing fee and a recurring monthly usage fee—for BES access. To request BES access:
    1. Go to the Eservices Management Website and log in through NetBadge.
    2. Click Account Management, then Exchange tools.
    3. Click Request BlackBerry Activation.
    4. Wait to receive an email message in response, indicating that your BES account has been established and providing you with your BES password.

Step 2: Configure Your BlackBerry to Connect to the UVa Exchange Service

Before you continue: The remaining steps may take a few minutes, so allocate sufficient time for the process to complete. Also, ensure your BlackBerry has 2 or more “bars” of coverage, indicating a strong signal in your current location.

Then, follow the instructions below according to whether you are connecting your BlackBerry to your Exchange account via BES mode or via BIS mode:

BlackBerry BES Exchange Configuration Instructions

  1. On the BlackBerry, find the Enterprise Activation option.
    • Click the Menu key, then Options, then Advanced Options, then click Enterprise Activation.
    • If the above does not work for your BlackBerry, please use an Internet search to find the location of the Enterprise Activation option on your phone. Be sure to include your BlackBerry’s model information in the search terms, as in: blackberry curve enterprise activation location.
  2. Enter your Exchange email account address (e.g., mst3k@eservices.virginia.edu) and the BES password provided in the email message you received. If your BlackBerry requires a value for Activation Server Address, use: 128.143.8.13
  3. Wait about five minutes, during which time activation will begin. After activation has begun, it may take several minutes for activation to complete.
  4. ITS suggests you also make these specific recommended configuration changes on your BlackBerry.

BlackBerry BIS Exchange Configuration Instructions

  1. Open the Setup.
  2. Select Email Accounts.
  3. Select Internet Mail Account.
  4. Select Other.
  5. In the Email Address field, type your UVa computing ID @eservices.virginia.edu, e.g., mst3k@eservices.virginia.edu
  6. In the Password field, type your Eservices password.
    • Note: The password for your Exchange account is the same as your Eservices password. If you do not know this password, (re)set it now.
  7. Click the Continue button.
  8. Wait about 5 minutes, during which time activation will begin. After activation has begun, it may take several minutes for activation to complete. If the connection doesn't work the first time, the next connection attempt via BIS may take up to 20 minutes depending on how long the cycle is set for attempting to connect.
  9. ITS suggests you also make these specific recommended configuration changes on your BlackBerry.

Having trouble connecting to the UVa Exchange Service? To resolve this issue, please delete and recreate your current BIS profile on your Blackberry. The correct settings will automatically be set for your device.

Deleting Your Profile When Using BIS

To delete a profile, follow these steps:

  1. Select Messages on the BlackBerry.
  2. Click on the Menu key and scroll down and select Options.
  3. Select Email Account Management.
  4. Select the email account to be deleted.
  5. Select the Delete option.
  6. Select the Yes button to confirm.

Step 3: Make the Recommended BlackBerry Configuration Changes

Regardless of whether you have connected using BES mode or BIS mode, ITS suggests you make the following recommended configuration changes on the BlackBerry:

  1. Select Messages on the BlackBerry.
  2. Click on the Menu key and scroll down to select Options.
  3. Select Email Reconciliation.
  4. Additional settings ITS recommends:
    • Recommended setting: Verify that Delete on: is set to Prompt.
      • This setting forces the BlackBerry to confirm with you before it makes a deletion.
    • Recommended setting: Verify that Wireless reconcile is set to On.
      • This setting allows reconciliation/synchronization via a wireless connection.
    • Recommended setting: Verify that On Conflicts is set to Mailbox wins.
      • This setting gives information on the Server priority over information stored locally on the BlackBerry.
  5. You may also want to connect your BlackBerry to the UVa wireless network, if you have not done so already.

Switching Modes If Needed

BES to BIS, or BIS to BES

If you have previously used your BlackBerry in one mode and decide that you want to switch to the other (from BIS to BES, or from BES to BIS), know what will happen to your existing information: you will have to wipe your BlackBerry when you switch modes, destroying all data on it.

Any existing email, calendar, and address book/contact information on your BlackBerry will be replaced with email, calendar, and contact information from your UVa Centralized Exchange account.

Wipe Your BlackBerry

The process may vary a bit among BlackBerry models, but generally:

  1. Press the Menu key, then select Options.
  2. Select Security Options.
  3. Select General Settings.
  4. Press the Menu key.
  5. Select Wipe Handheld.
  6. Follow the prompts to confirm this action.

  Page Updated: Thursday 2012-02-16 16:56:45 EST

Standards & Policy

University of Virginia
Information Technology Services
2015 Ivy Road
P.O. Box 400324
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22904-4324 USA

UVa Help Desk: 434-924-HELP (434-924-4357) • 4help@virginia.edu

Page Updated: 2012-02-16; © 2012 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.

The information contained on the University of Virginia’s Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) website is provided as a public service with the understanding that ITS makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information, including warrantees of title, non-infringement of copyright or patent rights of others. These pages are expected to represent the University of Virginia community and the State of Virginia in a professional manner in accordance with the University of Virginia’s Computing Policies.