BlackBerry Enterprise Server

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BlackBerry Enterprise Server designates the middleware software package that is part of the BlackBerry wireless platform supplied by BlackBerry Limited. The software and service connects to messaging and collaboration software (MDaemon Messaging Server, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, Novell GroupWise) on enterprise networks and redirects emails and synchronizes contacts and calendaring information between servers, desktop workstations, and mobile devices. Some third-party connectors exist, including Scalix, Zarafa, Zimbra, and the Google Apps BES Connector, although these are not supported by BlackBerry Limited.

Video BlackBerry Enterprise Server

BES Versions

2.2: BES for Domino
3.6: BES for Exchange
4.0: BES for Exchange, Domino, and GroupWise
4.1: BES for Exchange, Domino, and GroupWise
5.0: BES for Exchange, Domino, and GroupWise
BES 10
BES 10.1
BES 10.2
BES 12

Prior to version 4.0, BES was largely two separate codebases, with the 2.2 version for Domino and the 3.6 version for Exchange. In version 4.0 and beyond, much of the code is integrated, but separate distributions still remain for each supported mail platform. Beginning with version 4.1.2, the company introduced a new option, BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Applications, which provides a secure wireless gateway for BlackBerry devices without requiring the device owner to possess an email account. The latest major revision, version 5.0, was released in 2009 for Exchange and Domino; support for GroupWise was added in 2010.

To support the growing number of multiple devices, ownership models, and operating environments, BlackBerry reinvented Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) by bringing together Mobile Device Management, Security, Unified Communications and Applications by launching BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 (BES 10). This represents the unification and simplification of its products to deliver an integrated and end-to-end solution. Mobile Device Management - it enables enterprises to manage their entire device fleet what ever the types of devices, the brands, ownership, operating system(BlackBerry 10, iOS or Android) and type of usage. Security - it enables enterprises to have a secured end-to-end mobility. Unified Communication - it enables enterprises to integrate voice, messaging, PIM, apps and social experiences. Applications - it enables enterprises to manage business, productivity and personal apps.

Maps BlackBerry Enterprise Server

BES 5 and Below

Components

BES 5 and below consists of a set of Windows services that carry out the basic operations of the system. These Windows Services can include (additional services may be installed depending on configuration):

BlackBerry Alert
BlackBerry Attachment Service
- Retrieves and converts attachments to a format specific for BlackBerry device
  - For documents with file extensions .doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf, .wpd, and .txt, the Attachment Service renders the content into the Universal Content Stream format for viewing on the device.
BlackBerry Collaboration Service
- Provides IM services
BlackBerry Controller
- The BlackBerry Controller monitors the BlackBerry Dispatcher, BlackBerry MDS Connection Service, and the Enterprise Management Web Service, and restarts them if they stop responding.
BlackBerry Database Consistency Service
BlackBerry Dispatcher
- The BlackBerry Dispatcher maintains an SRP connection with the BlackBerry Infrastructure over the Internet. The BlackBerry Dispatcher is responsible for compressing and encrypting and for decrypting and decompressing data that travels over the Internet to and from the devices.
BlackBerry Instant Messaging Connector
BlackBerry Messaging Agent
- Performs wireless calendar synchronization
- Generates initial encryption key
- Provides email and lookup services
BlackBerry MDS Connection Service
- Services push requests from intranet applications
BlackBerry MDS Services - Apache Tomcat Service
- Sends and receives internet/intranet web browsing to device through BlackBerry Dispatcher service
- Used for data flow with 3rd party Java applications on device
BlackBerry Policy Service
- Pushes wireless IT policies to devices
- Performs new Encryption Key Generation
- Sets command for device locks and remote wipe
BlackBerry Router
- The BlackBerry Router is an optional component that can be deployed in a DMZ if required. The BlackBerry Router connects to the BlackBerry Infrastructure which sends data to BlackBerry devices over mobile networks or the Internet.
- Link between BES (can be installed on same server) and SRP host
BlackBerry Synchronization Service
- Performs OTA backup and synchronization of all PIM data (contacts, tasks and notes) except calendar.
BlackBerry User Administration Service (Only 3.6 and BlackBerry Resource Kit (BRK) in 4.0 and 4.1)

Log Files

BES also produces a set of log files during operation, called the BES Event Log. The log files include (for a BES v4.0 and 4.1 system connecting to Microsoft Exchange):

ALRT - BES Alert
BBIM - BlackBerry Instant Messenger (4.1)
BBUA - BlackBerry User Administration Service (BRK)
CBCK - Backup Connector
CEXC - MS Exchange PIM Connector
CNTS - Lotus Notes/Domino Connector
CMNG - Management Connector
CTRL - BlackBerry Controller
DISP - BlackBerry Dispatcher
MAGT - BlackBerry Mailbox Agent (aka BlackBerry Messaging Agent)
MAST - Mail Store Service
MDAT - Mobile Data Services
MDSS - MDS Services (4.1)
MDSS-DISCOVERY - MDS Services (4.1)
POLC - Policy Service
ROUT - Router
SYNC - BlackBerry SyncServer
PhoneCallLog (4.1)
PINLog (4.1)
SMSLog (4.1)

Managing BES 5

BES is typically deployed and managed within the enterprise by messaging administrators (for example, the individuals already responsible for managing Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, or Novell GroupWise) or sometimes a dedicated IT person, usually called the BlackBerry or BES Administrator.

BPS and BES Express

As of 2010, RIM is offering the Blackberry Enterprise Server Express edition with no user limitations - for free. It has a few minor feature limitations, but only requires a data plan - not a BES plan. It enables near-instant seamless mail and calendar integration with your existing exchange server (incoming emails often appear on the Blackberry handset before they appear in the Outlook or OWA clients), which is an advantage over the existing Outlook Web Access model that the Blackberry Internet Service offers.The free download requires a license code, which may be delayed due to demand.

As of January 2007, RIM is offering a free version of BES called BlackBerry Professional Software, which is a free download from the BlackBerry website and includes 1 user license. BPSE provides a "...wireless communications and collaboration solution designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses." It comes with one CAL (Client Access License) - meaning one BlackBerry handheld can be activated on the Server, and you can add up to 29 additional CALs (for a total of 30) or upgrade to BlackBerry Enterprise Server at any time.It's only available for Notes and Exchange environments. BPS is based on the 4.1 code, but with a more simplified management tool, and a limited amount of patches are being released. (BPS is "stuck" at v 4.1.4, where full BES is at 4.1.6 plus maintenance Releases). As such BPS is missing out on some functions that full BES did get from SP6 onwards, such as rich content email, free/busy search, remote search.

Blackberry Professional Software - originally called Blackberry Enterprise Server Express - first appeared with version 4. There was BES (full), and BES Express (same as full, but no cost, limited maximum number of clients, and 1 CAL included free), they then renamed BES Express to BPS, but it was still the same thing, and then later they introduced BES Express 5, which is rather different from the previous BES Express and BPS primarily because it allows non-BES devices/subscribers to have a "full-fat" Blackberry experience which is finally cost/feature competitive with Exchange ActiveSync devices, i.e. provides full synchronisation of read/unread status, deletions, mail subfolders (including sent items), contacts, and calendar, all without license costs and without the requirement of an expensive and sometimes extremely difficult to acquire BES tariff. (For example, Orange in the UK may make it difficult to supply BES package/provisioning to less than 10 handsets at a time, and other operators often have extreme difficulty applying the BES package to handsets/subscribers that were originally BIS supplied.)

For GroupWise RIM offered Blackberry Enterprise Server. As of 2011 version 5.0 is available.