Cannot access OWA from internal

[nogarap]

Hi, need some help here please.

I've been trying to introduce an E3K3 server, and OWA server into our Exchange 2000 organisation. We had an existing OWA server (Ex2000), called owa.dnsname.com
I had to do an upgrade of this server, built a new backend server, that will hold the E3K3 mailboxes, and a new OWA server, running E2K3(the new OWA is called OWA2.dnsname.com). My problem is that the mailboxeson the new server work fine through OWA from outside the network, but accessing the same url from inside the network doesn't load. My first thought was that something to do with the firewall/DMZ the OWA servers sit in was causing the problem. The company that manage/monitor our firewall have been checking, and they say no http traffic is being blocked. Anyone got any bright ideas?

To summarise: I've got a predominantly Exchange 2000 organisation, with 3 Exchange 2003 servers. One is a back-end, holding mailboxes, the other 2 are front-end servers, one of which was upgraded from Exchange 2000. From the internet, I can access mailboxes on the new server. From the internal network, the same page does not load.

Many thanks for any help/ideas

 

[58sniper]

Do you have an internal DNS zone for your external DNS name? If so, just add a record for owa2 and point it to the internal address and be done with it.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[nogarap]

Hi Pat,
Thanks for the reply.
I've got a Host (A) record pointing to the DMZ address. Is that what you mean?

 

[58sniper]

No - an A record to the OWA box (which shouldn't be in the DMZ)

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[nogarap]

The A record is pointing to the OWA address, but it is in the DMZ. The original Ex2000 OWA box (which has been upgraded to E2K3) was in the DMZ, so I didn't think much before I dumped the new one in there as well.
I'm not much of an expert on DMZ/Firewalls!

 

[58sniper]

You have an OWA box in the DMZ?! Why is it there. That's certainly far less secure. FAR LESS.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Want to know how email works? Read for yourself -

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2821.txt

 

[nogarap]

Yes, tell me about it! I just do what I'm told here, which is another reason I'm leaving at the end of June! My line manager likes to have the last word on everything, even though he has the technical ability of a sponge!

 

[nogarap]

All sorted now, I'm very happy to say. I applied ms patch lb911829 which mostly deals with IE7/Vista clients accessing OWA. I had to reboot my OWA boxes, and suddenly things were working. I'm not sure if it was the patch or the reboot, but anyway it's working, and I'm much happier now. Thanks 58Sniper for the advice.