WAN Access - x400 vs. IMAP4 vs. OWA

[lebisol]

Hello everyone,
I was wondering what would be the best way/protocol to use for the remote users with performance and security in mind?
Server sits behing 3MB pipe while about 30 remote users will be connecting from avg. DSL speeds of 786/128.

I am leaning towards IMAP4 considering all the ports that need to be exposed with x400 while OWA seems a bit litmiting and also opens IS to the world...
Many thanks for your time and advice.
All the best!

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All around in my home town,
They tryin' to track me down...

 

[Zelandakh]

IMAP - not a good plan. But its only one port - not sure why you mention X400.
OWA - users may not like it I agree.

How about an upgrade to 2003 and use RPC over HTTPs, Outlook Anywhere?

 

[lebisol]

Hello Zelandakh,
thanks for the note.
I assumed that x400 transport is native to exhange...now, to turn my assumption into a question...

How would I enable access to exchange so that my users can connect to exchange and have their mailboxes accessible?

according to ms there are more than few ports:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...library/reskit/resguide/appendb.mspx?mfr=true

Do I really need to open all these ports to the public?
This is reather scary...

Thanks again for your time.
All the best!

:--------------------------------------:

[URL unfurl="true"]http://mostarnet.com[/url]

All around in my home town,
They tryin' to track me down...

 

[Zelandakh]

Yes, x400 is a transport. You want a connection protocol for the clients.

Choices are to VPN then you don't care about ports, open secure IMAP and use that instead for the client connect or upgrade and use Outlook Anywhere.

 

[lebisol]

so IMAP over SSL is a good way to go without any upgrades?
dynamic IPs on remote clients make it that much more hard to setup any VPN
Thanks again!
All the best!

:--------------------------------------:

[URL unfurl="true"]http://mostarnet.com[/url]

All around in my home town,
They tryin' to track me down...

 

[dkediger]

I would second consideration of an upgrade to Exch 2003 and use regular Outlook RPC over HTTPS.

 

[lebisol]

Hello dkediger,
Turst me I been pushing for an upgrade but it resulted in reactions....in the the meantime (which could be a for quite some time ) I need a solution for exch2000. I am really eary about opening 15-20 ports so IMAP seems like a logical solution. Are there any pitfalls with IMAP servervices vs. connecting to exchnage server?
Much oblidged,
All the best!

:--------------------------------------:

[URL unfurl="true"]http://mostarnet.com[/url]

All around in my home town,
They tryin' to track me down...

 

[Zelandakh]

I wouldn't open IMAP to the Internet on any of my boxes due to security concerns.

If you can't get the pennies for the upgrade, implement a VPN - doesn't matter about remote clients on dynamic IPs, that's the whole point.

 

[lebisol]

Thanks Zelandakh,
I have used cisco VPN clients in the past and worked ok...I am looking into WEB VPN clientless approach..just recently released.
If anyone cares:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6441/products_feature_guide09186a00805eeaea.html#wp1415769

Thanks for everything,
All the best!

:--------------------------------------:

[URL unfurl="true"]http://mostarnet.com[/url]

All around in my home town,
They tryin' to track me down...