How to connect to Exchange server through proxy or firewall

To connect to the Exchange server hosted by HostLabs, we support use of RPC over HTTPS. No VPN required. Optional VPN is available upon request.

How To Connect to your Exchange Server from the Outlook Client

The detailed step-by-step configuration instructions are given on the following page: Connecting Exchange & Outlook

Running your existing mail server concurrently with Exchange

If you want to receive Internet E-mail to a certain domain in your MS Exchange mailboxes, then you need to register this domain as an Inbound SMTP domain using the Inbound Domain option. However, if you do not want to switch your domain over just yet, then we offer a domain name for you.

You will be able to start receiving Internet E-mail to this domain immediately after the registration.

For domains not related to domains we provide, you will have to make sure that your domain's MX records point to the Exchange server's IP address. For this you can use HostLabs DNS Server management system if you host your DNS with us. If you do not, then you will need to make the change to your DNS if you administer it your self or you will need to contact your DNS provider, which is usually your hosting company.  Your hosting company can make the change for you.

Please note: The DNS changes can take anywhere from 48 to 72 hours to one week to propagate across the Internet. During this time, we recommend that you periodically connect to your old mail server to pull any mail that may have been directed there instead of to the Exchange server. After one week, you will not need to do this any longer. Please contact us at support@hostlabs.com in order to configure this arrangement

How to make Public Folders available offline

In order for Public Folders to be available offline, you need to drag the folder into your Favorites folder (right under Public Folders), then right-click this folder (in Favorites) and go to the Synchronization tab, then choose the correct setting there.

Each user needs to do this, even though it is the same folder. Also, when the folder is dragged to Favorites, it is just a link really, it is not actually copied anywhere. Anything you place in the main folder under "All Public Folders" will also be in the "copy" of the folder under Favorites. Also, if you delete the folder (which is just a link) from the Favorites folder, this will not delete the actual folder.

How to Migrate to our Exchange Hosting Solution

The exact process will vary based on what mail system you are using, what mail client is in use, the expertise of your staff, and other similar issues.

PRE-MIGRATION (each step can be taken without affecting the existing mail system)

1. Create HostLabs Exchange Account
   Order Now
2. Add all mailboxes, distribution lists, top-level folders, custom recipients, and inbound domains in the Hosting User Interface. This is to set up the infrastructure so that it is ready for migration.
3. Add it to your company's DNS as exchangeserver.company.com (exchange server = our Exchange server name; company.com = your domain). Each user adds your company's domain to their DNS search order if it is not already.
   

FOR PEOPLE MIGRATING FROM ANOTHER EXCHANGE SERVER (if you were using POP3 or Internet Mail, you can skip this section)

1. Each mailbox in the old Exchange system will have to export their mail to a PST file. To do this:
   1. In Outlook, in the left-hand folder list,
   2. highlight your Inbox
   3. Go to File/Import & Export ...
   4. Choose "Export to a file", then click "Next".
   5. Choose "Personal Folder File (.pst)", then click
   6. "Next".
   7. Select "Mailbox -- your name". Be sure to click the "Include subfolders" box. (If you want to limit what gets export, you can click "Filter" and choose options there.) Click "Next".
   8. The next screen says "Save exported file as". Be sure to record the location of this file!! For "Options", choose "Replace duplicates with items exported". Again, record the file location and name. Click "Finish".

Continue with MIGRATION below
MIGRATION (these steps need to be coordinated)

The MX record in DNS for the company is changed to point to our Exchange server
Each Outlook client needs to change the Exchange server name and Mailbox name in the "Microsoft Exchange Server" in Outlook services.

POST-MIGRATION

Users can import mail and addresses from the old mail system.

For people who were on another Exchange server and exported their old mailbox to a PST file, you will need to add a Personal Folder service under Tools/Services specifying the PST file that you exported. At this point, you could import the messages in the PST file back into Exchange, but we recommend you leave them in the PST due to upload times and the storage space they will take up on the Exchange server. When you import from a PST file to Exchange, you lose Exchange's "single-instance storage" feature.