Outlook can't find exchange server

[free2b]

I've been running SBS 2003 and Outlook for years. It was working fine until about 2 weeks ago. Then, one morning, Outlook (on 3 separate computers) can no longer find exchange server. OWA works fine from both inside and outside the network. IMAP works fine (except I can't send from any IMAP client), and on a MAC, Mail client set up to use exchange works fine.

If I go into outlook clients and attempt to reconfigure outlook, when I type in the computer name for the SBS server, it says it can't find it. If I type in the IP address, it immediatley resolves to the name of the server, then tells me it can't find exchange there.

As far as I know, no settings changed and no updates happenend.

Any ideas what could be causing this? I'm dreading the thought of having to re-install SBS just to fix this, but it's driving me nuts!!!

Brad

 

[markdmac]

The fact that it finds the server by IP and not name indicates you have a DNS problem.

First, verify that the computers in question have only the SBS server IP address in their DNS settings on the NICs TCP/IP configuration. If set to dynamic, use IPCONFIG /ALL to view what they are receiving from DHCP.

Next verify that your DNS scope options are configured to give your SBS Server IP address.

In the DNS snap in on the server, verify that the ISP DNS is set under forwarders and that the server itself only lists its own IP address for DNS on the NICs TCP/IP settings.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

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