BB device troubleshooting - client side

The below is the basic first level troubleshooting needs to be done in the BB device client side.

1. Check the signal strength.

2. Checking the wireless network connection setting

If the signal is good, there is no need to check the wireless network connection setting, but when the signal is down make sure the wireless network options are set. Check in Menu --> Options --> Mobile network options --> Make sure data services is on (mobile network and network selection mode is set appropriately)

3. Check the availability of the PIN Number in the device. Device --> option --> status --> will find 8 digit alphanumeric PIN Number. If you don’t find the pin number, try to register the device by going to Device --> option --> advanced options --> Host routing table --> press menu key and choose register. This will register your device in the BB RIM and the new unique PIN number will be generated, still if you have the issue in getting the PIN Number, then the problem is with the device and needs to be checked with the vendor.

4. Can check the mail flow from the BB device itself to the same connected user account or can send test PIN message to the same device account.

5. If you're having mail or messaging issues, or any other BlackBerry performance problems, you should resend your device's service books.

6. We can use the Blackberry device manager for synchronizing the BB device with the server i.e., outlook email client.

If the above are fine, then troubleshooting needs to be done at the BES server side like BESAdmin account permission, mailbox quota check, BB device last contact time, BB detailed event logs and goes on. Probably I will document an article on that front in the near future.

Hope the above information is useful.

Thanks

Logan

Blackberry OS Installation/Upgradation:

This article explains the installation/upgradation of the blackberry Smartphones.

1. Connect the device and take the complete backup of the BB device using the Blackberry Desktop Manager and check the backup data for entries of contacts, messages, etc.

2. Disconnect the Device.

3. Download the Blackberry device OS from Blackberry website for the appropriate model and also chose the appropriate provider (exe file).

4. Run downloaded exe file and it gets extract the files in the location (C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Shared\Loader Files) by default.

For example: it creates the folder 8300-v4.5.0.174_P2.7.0.105 for the device 8300 BB device.

5. Select the application loader option in Blackberry Desktop manager and choose the update software | click start.

6. Connect the device and it should detect and the device model will be shown in the drop down menu.

7. Its check the device and gives the list of application and language setting before starting the installation, leave the default value and choose next.

8. Process takes around 30-60 minutes to complete. During the course of installation, it also takes the backup and restore after the OS upgrade.

9. At the end of the successful installation and unplug the device and check for the latest version and data.

Note:

Make sure Blackberry device battery level and also computer power are good before starting the installation.

Thanks

Logan

Backup and Recovery

This article gives information about backing up the Blackberry data and also restoration. As we know the BES and exchange are tightly integrated, the real email data’s are stored in the email servers only. In BES server level, the following needs to be backed up

* BES Database of SQL 2005 i.e., BESMgmt Database

* BES User details and Configuration details.

1. BES Database Backup and Restore:

For Blackberry, as we know the database is hosted in the SQL Server. Henceforth can make use of the backup and restore option in the SQL Server itself.

Open the backup console from the SQL 2005 studio express console,

• Go to the concern Database in the console -- right click and select Task -- Backup

• Enter the backup file name and location in the general window.

• Select the options for media writing as required to complete the backup in the option window.

For the restoration same process, select the restore option from the console.

• Select the destination of the latest backup file in the General window.

• Select the appropriate write option to complete the restoration in the option window.

2. Blackberry User Information Backup and restore

The BB user details and Configuration details can be backed up by using the built-in tool called BlackberryBackup.exe. The below is the location of the file,

C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry Enterprise Server\Utility

Note : Here C:\ is the source installed drive.

Backup

### To take the backup of the user information

BlackBerryBackup.exe -b -o C:\BB_Bkp\bb_user.txt -n dxb-bbs-01

### To take the backup of the BES configuration information

BlackBerryBackup.exe -r -o C:\BB_Bkp\bes_conf.txt -n dxb-bbs-01

Note:

-b –o -- Backup (-b) of BB user details to the output file (-o) C:\BB_Bkp\bb_user.txt

-n -- Blackberry servername

-r –o -- Backup (-r) of BB configuration details to the output file (-o) C:\BB_Bkp\bb_conf.txt

Restore

### To restore the user information from the file using the option "-i"

BlackBerryBackup.exe -b -i C:\BB_Bkp\bb_user.txt -n dxb-bbs-01

### To restore the configuration information from the file using the option "-i"

BlackBerryBackup.exe -r -i C:\BB_Bkp\bes_conf.txt -n dxb-bbs-01

Note:

-b –i -- Restore (-b) the BB user details from the input file (-i) C:\BB_Bkp\bb_user.txt

-n -- Blackberry servername

-r –i -- Restore (-r) the BB configuration details from the input file (-i) C:\BB_Bkp\bb_conf.txt

Thanks

Logan

Logu_microsoft@hotmail.com

Blackberry Enterprise Server Deployment

This article gives you the deployment steps for the Blackberry Enterprise Server in the Exchange Server Environment. Before deploying the BES Server, we need make sure some pre requisite tasks. I have considered Blackberry Enterprise Server 4.2 application and SQL 2005 Std for this article.

1. Existence of functioning exchange 2007 Env and BESadmin Account

Before deploying the BES application, the functioning exchange 2007 is obvious.

1.1 Creation of BB admin account called BESadmin

1. On the computer that hosts Microsoft Exchange, log in as an administrator with the permission to create an account.

2. Open the Microsoft Exchange Management Console.

3. Create a Microsoft Exchange account that is named BESadmin.

1.2 BB Computer Account Permission on BESadmin

On each computer that you plan to install the BlackBerry® Enterprise Server or the BlackBerry Manager on, you must configure the Local Security Policy permissions for the Microsoft® Exchange account that you plan to use to complete the installation.

Without the proper permissions, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server cannot function.

1. Right-click My Computer – Planned BES Server Eg dxb-bbs-01.

2. Click Manage.

3. In the left pane, expand Local Users and Groups.

4. Navigate to the Groups folder.

5. In the right pane, double-click Administrators.

6. Click Add.

7. In the Enter the object names to select field, type BESadmin.

8. Click OK.

9. Click Apply.

10. Click OK.

1.3 BESadmin Account permission on Exchange

Configure Microsoft Exchange 2007 permissions for the Microsoft Exchange account

1. On a computer that hosts the Microsoft® Exchange Management Shell, open the Microsoft Exchange Management Shell.

2. Perform one of the following actions:

• If you are performing the command locally on the Microsoft Exchange 2007 server, type: addexchangeadministrator

"BESAdmin" –role ViewOnlyAdmin

• If you are performing the command from another computer, type: get-mailboxserver

"" | add-exchangeadministrator "BESAdmin" –role ViewOnlyAdmin

3. Type the following command:

get-mailboxserver " " | add-adpermission –user "BESAdmin" –accessrights ExtendedRight –extendedrights Send-As, Receive-As, ms-Exch-Store-Admin

1.4 BB Device Users permission for sending message in exchange

Enable BlackBerry device users to send messages in a Microsoft Exchange 2007 environment. In this case, we are giving the BESadmin account the sendas permission to the domain root, so that all the BB enabled in turn will be able to send message from their BB enabled device.

1. On any computer within your organization's domain, on the taskbar, click Start > Administrative Tools > Active Directory Users and Computers.

2. In the View menu, click Advanced Features.

3. Right-click the domain root.

4. Click Properties.

5. On the Security tab, click Advanced.

6. Click Add.

7. Type BESadmin.

8. Click Check Name.

9. Click OK.

10. In the Apply Onto drop-down list, click User Objects.

11. In the Allow column, select the Send As check box.

12. Click Apply.

13. Click OK.

2. Installing the SQL 2005 for BB Database

• Install the SQL server 2005 with default instance and enter the information of service account which is created for BB management (BESAdmin) while installing the SQL and install the SQL with windows authentication. Apply the latest service pack after the installation for SQL.

• Select all the components and also select the Default Instance for the SQL installation.

• Enter the information of service account created for BB(BESAdmin) for SQL service.

• On Authentication Page, Use the windows authentication mode

• Click Next in all the screens as per the default options and click Install to complete the SQL server installation.

3. BES Installation

Before starting the BES server installation, make sure the below are available with the diskette.

• client access license key

• SRP identifier

• SRP key

• SRP host

1. Click the Setup.exe

2. Enter the Appropriate name and organization, select the region.

3. Accept the license agreement.

4. Select the setup type; choose Blackberry Enterprise Server option which in turn will install all the components like MDS, Router, attachment Service, etc.

5. Accept the apache license agreement page also.

6. Pre install checklist screen.

7. Enter the BB service account name – BESadmin and password. Choose the installation folder and log file folder accordingly.

8. Installation summary and next.

9. Select Continue

10. Press yes to reboot the server and after restarting login as BESadmin and the installation window will start automatically.

11. Database integration part, leave the default values and press next

12. Enter the CAL Key and press next.

13. Enter the SRP Address srp.ae.blackberry.net and use test connection.

14. Enter the SRP info (Damac SRP details)

15. SRP Identifier

16. SRP Authentication Key

17. Leave the host routing information empty.

18. Click Validate SRP key and ID, the window pops up with the exchange server details. Enter the Exchange server name and user name BESadmin.

19. On WAN SRP setting, leave default value and press next.

20. Messaging part, leave the default.

21. Leave the default and press next for the proxy settings.

22. Check the start service option and click “start service” button.

23. It will start all the BB related services and hence the end of the installation process finish.

4. Post Installation Check

4.1 Check the installation logs

Check the installation setup logs in the below location

C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry Enterprise Server\Installer

4.2 Check the MDS connection

Check the MDS connection as below in the server,

Open the explorer – http://localservername:8080 , which opens the Blackberry Mobile Data Service Connection Service Page.

4.3 Checking the Blackberry Server Components

Go to Control panel --> Blackberry Server Configuration, will have all the components details like router, attachment Server, SRP details. In this case, we have installed all in the same server and hence forth it has set all the values by default, no need to change any values.

4.4 Check the Blackberry Manager Console,

Check the console in the program list in the start menu.

4.5 User creation and Mailflow with BB device

Finally, try creating the user profile in the blackberry Manager and check the mailflow with the device.

Thanks

Logan

Logu_microsoft@hotmail.com

Difference between BIS and BES

This article is about the blackberry service type and their differences. Also i have briefed about the respective email flow architecture. There are two types of BlackBerry service that are available to purchase.

#One is designed for individuals and small businesses (BIS)
#The other is designed for large companies and organisations (BES).

The ways in which they work are very different.

Difference between BIS and BES

BIS – (For individuals and small businesses)

The BlackBerry Internet Solution provides a wireless solution tailored to meet the needs of individual users and small and medium-sized businesses (SMB). The BlackBerry Internet Service, a component of the BlackBerry Internet Solution, allows wireless connectivity to Internet-based email and other applications. The architecture for BlackBerry Internet Service,
including Internet browsing functionality, is shown in the diagram below: BlackBerry Internet Service leverages centrally hosted wireless gateways, allowing users to access up to 10 supported email accounts and Internet browsing functionality* without the need to install and manage a BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

Fig1 : BIS (Please click on the figure to maximize)

Fig2 : BES (Please click on the figure to maximize)

BES

The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution allows the wireless extension of corporate email and applications with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server™, an important component of the solution, and would be managed by the organisations own internal I.T. department. The typical architecture of the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution is shown in the diagram below: The BlackBerry Enterprise Server is installed and managed behind the corporate firewall and includes integrated support for extending corporate messaging solutions, including Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server also acts as a wireless gateway allowing the BlackBerry Browser and custom applications on the BlackBerry device to connect to corporate applications and web servers, as well as to Internet-based web servers.

Hope the above info is useful. Please ping me if you have any queastions.

Thanks

Logan

971-552596187