I am pretty new with this BlackBerry stuff so please excuse my ignorance.

Our corporate office has a BlackBerry Enterprise Server. When I installed the desktop software, my device somehow activated itself with the enterprise server. Not sure how it did this. It detected the BES server name and everything. I never gave the BES admin my BB PIN.. he only had my email address.

Fast forward a week. My coworker got a BB device just like mine. Installed the desktop software the same way I did. Except when he connected his phone, it set up desktop (local) sync instead of using the BES server. Why?

I can't figure out how you tell the desktop software that you want to activate with the enterprise server. It doesn't help that I'm completely unfamiliar with how BES works. Does the BES admin need to authorize your device (by email address?) before it will do enterprise sync? And if he hasn't done this, the desktop software does local syncing only? If that's the case how do we switch it to BES sync once the phone is authorized?

Thanks!

the BB can't be activated on BES unless you have been added to the server. (no pin number required - its done by your corporate e-mail address) On top of that, the bb will not just activate on its own and the BES admin can't remotely force an activation. You have to tell it to activate and on newer versions of BES, you have to have an activation password.

when you install BDM, it ask if you want to use an exchange server or just the redirector. Also, depending on the server software version (4.0 and above), over the air activation is usually used and BDM isn't at all necessary.

Thanks for your reply! That all makes sense.

I did not have to supply a password when my device was linked to the BES server. The BDM software did everything for me, I guess.

So... my coworker simply was not authorized on the BES server. When that happens the BDM software goes into local/desktop redirection mode? I'm sure we selected server/BES when we installed the software.

Hi,
You can goto the Options/Advanced Options/Enterprise Activation and activate the device providing your BES Admin has given you a password.

This is different that what you experienced when you attached your new BB Handheld.

When you originally installed your software update, you would have had to select the correct mail server and type of service. If you select the wrong setting, you will not EA. You upgraded your software and selected the correct settings. That is why, when you finally plugged in the new BB Handheld, you went to EA while on the wire. (instead of wireless) If you plug in the device and it goes to EA during the first time you have attached your USB cord, then you do not need a password. The server saw your device and it started EA automatically and will policy the device on the initial sync.

The other user may have upgraded his desktop software and selected the incorrect feature. (a guess) This user will need to contact the BES Admin and do a wireless enterprise activation. (EA)

LadyDi is correct as we are getting new 8800's and updating the Blackberry Desktop Manager to 4.2.2 from 4.1. We have seen after correctly installing the new 4.2.2 software some 8800 devices will need to do a wireless EA as they initially do not EA on the first sync while plugged in. We are in a Lotus Notes environment.

Best Regards;

hmeister

It just doesn't kick off Enterprise Activation since your coworker isn't set up on the BES.

Interesting -- ours will activate if the prereqs are met. Our standard approach is wireless activation though.

Thanks for your replies. I have a better understanding of how this works now.

I guess I wish the software would tell you that you have not yet been authorized on the BES server and to contact your admin before switching to "local" redirection.