I have been debating setting up a BES server (for my own bb) just to try it out. However, I only have one server I can use. The server will have Windows Server 2003 or 2008, and Exchange installed. The server will have one user, with one mailbox, that I would want to link to one blackberry. I know that RIM advises against and I heard somewhere would not allow you to install BES on a server with Exchange installed. I am not worried about performance for the server because this will be its only function. Do I really need to have a separate server for BES? If I do should I do a virtual server ontop of the existing server?

I did not see this questioned asked else where, but if I missed it please let me know..

Thank You

What you need is BlackBerry Professional Software Express. Runs on the same server.

BTW, the first user is free.

You can do virtual or get the free BPS version and it will install on exchange with server 2003.

BES can install on the exchange server, but is unsupported (RIM will ask you to put onto dedicated before offering to help in some cases) and once you get a many users performance will be afected.

If I understand this correctly BPDE comes with a basic version of exchange, so I will not need to install a full install of Exchange on the server?

And yes, I heard the first user is free for the BES application which is why I was going to try it.. thank you everyone for your help!

I hope you mean BPS, It does knot come with Exchange.

BES is knot free, BPS is free for first user.

BPS will just allow you to install it on a 2003 server with Exchange, as opposed to standard BES which will not allow you then? Yes, I meant BPS, not BES.

hmm

Just in case, the OP should be aware that BPS does not support html email, and it is rumored that it never will.

ouch, thanks for the info.. might rethink this then..

I could have sworn I've heard of people running BES on XP, which may be an option.

for a test maybe, but it is knot fun to set up

I've done it with version 3.6. If someone asks you to do it just say no. I would not do it again. I asked this customer to let me upgrade it but they don't understand why they should. I keep telling them that one day MS Updates is going to break it and I doubt I will be able to fix it.