Intermittent remote connection – Outlook 2003

[Remote Admin]

Hi folks, I have a small connection problem which has so far baffled me.

Basically, we have an Exchange 2003 Server with both internal Outlook 2003
users, and remote Outlook 2003 users (Win 2003 Domain). The remote users can
connect and sync their offline folders when in the building, and are able to
VPN across the web to sync.

The problem…

Occasionally for some reason after connecting the VPN, Outlook will not
connect. The only way to rectify the problem is to connect the machine to the
office network, it then connects, sync’s and works remotely for the next few
days from home using the same VPN connection.

I think we can discount the VPN connection as we sat waited 20 minutes to
connect, no go. Then connected and sync’d the machine on the network, no
problem. Disconnected and reconnected using a spare line and it sync’d every
time there after with the server over remote VPN.

The issue usually occurs after a couple of days of the user not connecting,
anyone have any ideas?

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

Have you tried changing the authentication type in Outlook 2003 from
Kerberos/NTLM to just NTLM? (There are known issues with Kerberos and some
VPN solutions.)

 

[Remote Admin]

Thanks neo,

The problem I have there is that I think the Exchange Server needs to be
setup as part of an Exchange Managed RPC-HTTP Topology to change the
authentication type, which, at the moment as its a small company its not.

I was hoping for an easier fix, if not I'll give it a try,

Kind Regards,