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Oracle® Calendar Resource Kit,
Release 2 (9.0.4.2)

Part Number B10894-06
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2 Oracle Connector for Outlook

Oracle Connector for Outlook is a calendaring and messaging service provider that extends and improves Outlook's functionality with real-time calendaring, advanced group and resource scheduling capabilities and unified messaging functionality by providing one central Inbox for your e-mail, voice mail and fax messages.

A key advantage to using Oracle Connector for Outlook is that you can continue to use the familiar Outlook interface on your desktop while accessing Oracle's calendar server and e-mail server instead of Microsoft Exchange Server.

The Oracle Calendar server stores all users' calendars together in a single database. Each time you look at another user's free/busy time, you are viewing up-to-the-minute information about their schedules, including unconfirmed meetings. Similarly, each time you open a meeting in your Calendar folder, you are getting the latest version directly from Oracle's calendar server, instead of opening a copy of an e-mail describing a meeting that may have been moved or changed without your knowledge.

Calendaring with Microsoft Exchange Server, by contrast, is message-based: all meetings are created, stored, forwarded and retrieved as e-mail messages. There are a number of limitations with this method. For example, between the time you create the meeting and the time your co-worker accepts it, nobody else can know when that meeting exists by looking at your co-worker's calendar. In fact, nobody else can tell that the meeting exists at all, because it doesn't exist in your co-worker's Calendar folder until he or she accepts it.

Installation instructions

This section contains the following topics.

System requirements

Table 2-1 Oracle Connector for Outlook System Requirements

Requirement Value
Operating system
  • Windows NT 4.0
  • Windows 98

  • Windows 2000

  • Windows XP Professional SP2

Administrative privileges are required to install Oracle Connector for Outlook on Windows NT, 2000, and XP.

Disk space Free disk space equivalent to the approximate size of the user's IMAP4 mailbox
RAM Refer to the RAM requirements of your Microsoft Outlook client.
Outlook
  • Outlook 98
  • Outlook 2000

  • Outlook 2002

  • Outlook 2003

  • Note: Native Language version or Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) is required for non-English version localization (see supported languages)

Calendar server
  • Oracle Calendar server 5.5
  • Oracle Calendar server 9.0.4 (required for most of the new Oracle Calendar functionality)

E-mail servers SMTP server for outgoing mail included with Oracle Connector for Outlook

Oracle IMAP4 Server 9.0.3 and above

Other e-mail servers whose implementations are based upon the open standards of SMTP and the IMAP4 reference implementations Cyrus and University of Washington.

Conduits for PDA synchronization
  • PocketMirror 2.04 or 3.0 (3.0 recommended)
  • PocketJournal

  • Desktop To Go 2.5

  • Desktop To Go 2.509 (for Outlook 2002 only)

  • PSIWIN 2.3 or 2.31

  • ActiveSync 3.0, 3.1, or 3.5. Note: Oracle Collaboration Suite Release 2 Patch Set 1 (9.0.4.2.0) supports ActiveSync versions up to 3.7.1

  • HotSync Manager 4.0 (for Windows XP only)

Devices The following devices have been certified with Oracle Connector for Outlook. Similar devices may work but the end-user experience may vary.

Pocket PC

  • Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC 2002 - Model 3870

  • Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC 2002 - Model 3970

  • HP iPAQ Pocket PC 2003 - Model h 1945

Palm

  • Palm III (3Com)

  • Palm V Handheld

Blackberry 6710 - Wireless Handheld


Preinstallation Requirements for Oracle Connector for Outlook

  • A supported Outlook version must be installed on a supported platform.

  • To install Oracle Connector for Outlook on Windows NT, 2000, and XP, you must have administrative privileges.

  • Outlook 98 and Outlook 2000 must be installed in Corporate/Workgroup mode. Verify the Outlook configuration by selecting Options from the Tools menu, then select Mail Services, and click Reconfigure Mail Support.

  • To avoid losing information, Oracle Corporation recommends that you synchronize your offline folders before upgrading.

Installing Oracle Connector for Outlook

In most cases, Oracle Connector for Outlook will be installed and configured for you using a silent installation. If you have not already run this process, visit itweb.oraclecorp.com Web page for details. If the silent installation process fails on your machine or if your machine has a non-standard or custom build, you will have to manually install and configure Oracle Connector for Outlook.

To manually install Oracle Connector for Outlook:

  1. Exit all Windows applications before installing Oracle Connector for Outlook.

  2. If you are upgrading from a previous version and want to add or change the languages installed, run con_outlook_904x.exe followed by the switch /Lang. Otherwise, just double-click the con_outlook_904x.exe file. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.


Note:

To avoid conflict between POP3 and IMAP4 protocols, do not set up Microsoft's Internet Mail or Exchange service providers in the same profile as Oracle Connector for Outlook.

Disabling Outlook Add-ins

It is recommended that you disable Outlook Add-ins that are specific to Microsoft Exchange to avoid conflicts with Add-ins installed with Oracle Connector for Outlook. For details, see the Configuring Add-ins section of the Oracle Connector for Outlook online help.

Upgrading Microsoft Outlook

If you upgrade your Outlook installation, you must reinstall Oracle Connector for Outlook after the upgrade. See Installing Oracle Connector for Outlook for installation instructions.

Configuring Oracle Connector for Outlook

This section contains the following topics:

Managing your profiles using Outlook 98/2000

This section contains the following topics:

Creating a new profile

When creating a new profile using the Oracle Connector for Outlook service, you will need to provide a variety of information to connect to your mail and calendar servers.

  1. Close Outlook.

  2. From the Windows Start button, select Settings.

  3. Select Control Panel from the pop-up list, and double-click the Mail icon.

  4. Click Show Profiles.

  5. Click Add.

  6. Select the Use the following information services option and select the Oracle Connector for Outlook check box.

  7. Enter a name for the profile in the Profile Name field and click Next.

The Setup Wizard opens:

  • On the first screen of the Oracle Connector for Outlook setup wizard, select the Corporate option to connect to your organization's calendar server over a LAN or VPN connection. Select the ASP option if your calendar and mail services are provided by a third-party reseller. Select the I do not have an Oracle Calendar account yet check box to skip configuring your calendar server connection and move on to your e-mail server connections. Click Next to proceed.

  • If you selected the Corporate option, you will have to provide the network name or address of your server, followed by a comma, followed by the node-ID or alias of your calendar server node, in the Server name field. If you are using a master node configuration, enter the master node server name only. A node-ID is not required. Specify the user name and password of your calendar account in the other boxes of this screen. In a master node configuration, your user name must be your user ID. Consult your system administrator for the necessary information. Click Next to proceed.

  • If you selected the ASP option, you will have to provide the Domain ID used by your service provider to identify your company, as well as the host name or names of your provider's calendar domain service hosts. Your service provider contact should be able to provide you with this information. Enter the user name and password for your calendar account in the other boxes on this screen. Click Next to proceed.

  • Configure your IMAP4 server connection for incoming mail. If you do not have an account or wish to skip this step, select the I do not have an IMAP4 account yet check box. Otherwise, enter the host name of your IMAP4 server in the Server name field. You can select the Use same settings as my Oracle Calendar Server check box if your mail and calendar accounts have the same user name and password. Click Next to proceed.

  • If you did not select the Use same settings as my Oracle Calendar Server check box, you will have to enter the user name and password for your incoming e-mail account. Click Next to proceed.

  • Configure your SMTP server connection for outgoing mail. If you do not have an account or wish to skip this step, select the I do not have an SMTP account yet check box. Otherwise, enter the host name of your SMTP server in the Server name field. If your outgoing e-mail server requires a user name and password, select the The server requires authentication check box. You can select the Use same settings as my IMAP4 server check box if your outgoing and incoming e-mail accounts have the same user name and password. Click Next to proceed.

  • If you specified that your SMTP server requires authentication and not to use the same settings as your IMAP4 server, you will have to provide the user name and password for your SMTP server. Click Next to proceed.

  • Enter the name and e-mail address that you want displayed in your outgoing e-mail. Click Next to proceed.

  • If you want to enable the offline capabilities of Oracle Connector for Outlook, select the I will use this computer while not connected to the network check box. Select the Choose a connection type next time you log on using this profile check box to select at startup whether you want Outlook to connect to your mail and calendar servers or to work offline. Click Next to proceed.

  • Confirm that all the information you have entered is correct, and click Next to proceed.

  • Specify the location of your personal folder file, or choose a new location if you do not yet have a personal folders file. Click Next to proceed, and click Finish to complete your Oracle Connector for Outlook setup.

Adding Oracle Connector for Outlook to an existing profile

When adding Oracle Connector for Outlook to an existing profile, the setup wizard is not available. Instead, you will enter the information outlined earlier directly in the Oracle Connector for Outlook Profile Settings dialog box.

  1. Close Outlook.

  2. From the Windows Start button, select Settings.

  3. Select Control Panel from the pop-up list, and double-click the Mail icon.

  4. Click Show Profiles.

  5. Select the appropriate profile and click Properties.

  6. Select Oracle Connector for Outlook and click Properties. The Oracle Connector for Outlook Profile Settings dialog box opens.

  7. Follow step 10 in Creating a new profile in the Managing your profiles using Outlook 2002/2003 section .

Managing your profiles using Outlook 2002/2003

This section contains the following topics:

Creating a new profile

When you create a new profile using the Oracle Connector for Outlook service, you must use the Oracle Connector for Outlook Profile Settings dialog box to enter a variety of information to connect to your mail and calendar servers.

  1. Close Outlook.

  2. From the Windows Start button, select Settings.

  3. Select Control Panel from the pop-up list, and double-click the Mail icon.

  4. Click Show Profiles.

  5. Click Add.

  6. Enter a name for the profile you are creating and click OK.

  7. Select the Add a new e-mail account option.

  8. Select the Additional Server Types option.

  9. Select Oracle Connector for Outlook from the Additional Server Types list and click Next.

  10. Enter the following information in the Oracle Connector for Outlook Profile Settings dialog box:

    • If you do not have an Oracle Calendar account yet, select the I do not have an Oracle Calendar account yet check box on the Calendar tab to skip configuring your calendar server connection.

    • On the Calendar tab, enter the name or address of your server followed by a comma, followed by the node-ID or alias of your calendar server node, in the Server name field. If you are using a master node configuration, enter the master node server name only. A node-ID is not required. Specify the account name and password of your calendar account in the other boxes on Calendar tab. In a master node configuration, your user name must be your user ID.

    • If you do not have an IMAP4 account yet, select the I do not have an IMAP4 account yet check box on the IMAP4 tab to skip configuring your IMAP4 server connection.

    • On the IMAP4 tab, enter the host name of your IMAP4 server in the Server name field You can select the Use same settings as my Oracle Calendar server check box if your mail and calendar accounts have the same account name and password. If they are not the same, enter your account name and password for the IMAP4 server.

    • If you do not have an SMTP account yet, select the I do not have an SMTP account yet check box on the SMTP tab to skip configuring your SMTP server connection.

    • On the SMTP tab, enter the host name of the SMTP server in the Server name field. If your outgoing e-mail server requires a user name and password, select the The server requires authentication check box. Click Settings. You can select the Use same settings as my incoming mail server check box if your outgoing and incoming e-mail accounts have the same account name and password. If they are not the same, enter your SMTP account name and password.

    • If you want to enable the offline capabilities of Oracle Connector for Outlook, select the Enable offline use check box on the Startup tab. Select the Choose a connection type check box to select at startup whether you want Outlook to connect to your mail and calendar servers or to work offline.

    • Click OK to create your profile.

Adding Oracle Connector for Outlook to an existing profile

The procedure for adding Oracle Connector for Outlook to an existing profile is very similar to creating a new profile. The only difference is that you must select an existing profile in the Oracle Connector for Outlook Profile Settings dialog box instead of adding a new one.

  1. Close Outlook.

  2. From the Windows Start button, select Settings.

  3. Select Control Panel from the pop-up list, and double-click the Mail icon.

  4. Click Show Profiles.

  5. Select the appropriate profile and click Properties.

  6. Click E-mail Accounts.

  7. Select the View or change existing e-mail accounts option.

  8. Click Next.

  9. Select Oracle Connector for Outlook and click Change. The Oracle Connector for Outlook Profile Settings dialog box opens.

  10. Follow step 10 in the Creating a new profile section.

Connecting to the calendar server

The calendar server provides Oracle Connector for Outlook with your calendar, tasks, contacts, notes and journals.

To configure a calendar server connection:

  1. Select the Calendar tab on the Oracle Connector for Outlook Profile Settings dialog box.

  2. Enter the following information:

    • You can select the I do not have an Oracle Calendar account yet check box to use Oracle Connector for Outlook for mail only.

    • You can specify your calendar server using either a Calendar Domain Service host name and Domain ID (for installations using a third-party service provider) or a host name and Node-ID (for corporate installations). If you are using a master node configuration, enter the master node server name only. A node-ID is not required. Consult your system administrator for the necessary information.

    • To use the third-party service provider (ASP) sign-in mode, click the This server Requires a Domain Service check box. Click Settings to specify a Domain ID and a list of Calendar Domain Service hosts.

    • Clear the This server Requires a Domain Service check box to use the corporate sign-in mode. Specify your server host name and node-ID, separated by a comma, in the Server name field.

    • Click the Save this password in your password list check box to avoid having to provide your calendar server password each time you connect.

    • The Advanced button provides the ability to specify a port for your calendar server if required, and your preferred display format for the names of calendar server users. For details, see the Choosing a name format section of the Oracle Connector for Outlook online help.

Connecting to the IMAP mail server

The IMAP server receives and stores your incoming mail.

To configure an IMAP server connection:

  1. Select the IMAP4 tab on the Oracle Connector for Outlook Profile Settings dialog box.

  2. Enter the following information:

    • You can select the I do not have an IMAP4 account yet check box to use Oracle Connector for Outlook without the ability to access incoming mail.

    • Specify the IMAP server name in the Server Name field.

    • Specify your account name and password in the fields provided. Click the Use same settings as my Oracle Calendar Server check box to use the same user name and password you provided for your calendar server. Click the Save this password in your password list check box to avoid having to provide the password each time you connect.

    • Click Advanced to provide a port number for the IMAP server or specify a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection.


    Note:

    If you specify that the server requires an SSL connection, the port is changed to the default SSL port.

If Transport Layer Security (TLS) is set up on your IMAP server, Oracle Connector for Outlook will take advantage of it automatically unless you specify an SSL connection. If you do, Oracle Connector for Outlook will use SSL instead of TLS.

Connecting to the SMTP mail server

The SMTP server sends your outgoing mail.

To configure an SMTP server connection:

  1. Select the SMTP tab on the Oracle Connector for Outlook Profile Settings dialog box.

  2. Enter the following information:

    • You can select the I do not have an SMTP account yet check box to use Oracle Connector for Outlook without the ability to send outgoing mail.

    • Specify the SMTP server name in the Server Name field.

    • If your SMTP server requires a user name and password, select the The server requires authentication check box. Click Settings to specify your user name and password. You can click the Use same settings as my incoming mail server check box to automatically use the same account name and password you provided for your IMAP server. Select the Save this password in your password list check box to avoid having to provide the password each time you connect.

    • Enter your display name and e-mail address. You may also specify an organization and a reply-to address you would like to include in your outgoing mail. These two fields are optional, and will not be prompted for if left blank.

    • Click Advanced to provide a port number for the SMTP server, specify a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection, and configure how often the SMTP server will automatically attempt to resend undelivered messages for you.


      Note:

      If you specify that the server requires an SSL connection, the port is changed to the default SSL port.

If Transport Layer Security (TLS) is set up on your SMTP server, Oracle Connector for Outlook will take advantage of it automatically unless you specify an SSL connection. If you do, Oracle Connector for Outlook will use SSL instead of TLS.

Oracle Connector for Outlook includes a number of other configuration options. See the Oracle Connector for Outlook online help for more information.

Troubleshooting and FAQS

For troubleshooting information and answers to frequently asked questions, click here.