University Computer Help Desk

Configuring Entourage 2008 for Exchange

These instructions explain how to configure Entourage 2008 for Exchange, whether for calendar only or both calendar and email.

Before You Begin

Before you set up Entourage for Exchange, you should update Mac OS X using Software Update in the Apple menu. This will ensure you have the latest Daylight Savings Time updates. You should also update Microsoft Office using the Microsoft AutoUpdate application.

Off-Campus Users

To configure Entourage 2008 from off campus using these instructions, you must first establish a VPN connection for your computer. After the initial configuration is complete, you can use many Exchange features (email, calendar, etc.) from off campus without the need for a VPN connection. However, some features, like event scheduling, still require a VPN connection. To ensure you have the best experience possible, we recommend establishing a VPN connection each time you want to use Entourage for Exchange.

Configure Entourage 2008 for Exchange

To set up Entourage 2008 for Exchange, do the following:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • If you are off campus, first establish a VPN connection.
    • If you are on campus, it is not necessary to establish a VPN connection. Proceed to the step 2.
  2. Open Entourage 2008.
    • If this is the first time Entourage was opened, the Entourage Setup Assistant will automatically launch. Click the right arrow, and skip to step 5.
  3. Go to the Entourage menu and select Account Settings....
  4. Click New.
  5. In the E-mail address: box, type your email address. Your email address is yourULID@ilstu.edu.
  6. Place a check mark next to My account is on an Exchange server and click the right arrow.
  7. The next screen displays a message about the success or failure of automatic configuration. Either message is acceptable, even if it indicates failure. Click the right arrow to continue.
  8. Do the following:
    • Make sure your full name appears in the box labeled Your name:.
    • Make sure your email address appears in the box labeled E-mail address:. Your email address is yourULID@ilstu.edu.
    • In the Exchange Server: box, type:
      https://owa.ilstu.edu/exchange/yourULID@exchange.ilstu.edu (where YourULID is your personal ULID). [Note: Typing this entire path ensures that Entourage will properly locate your mailbox on the Exchange server.]
    • Type ad.ilstu.edu in the box labeled, LDAP server:.
  9. Click the right arrow.
  10. Click Verify My Settings.
  11. You will be asked for your account information.
    • Type ad.ilstu.edu in the Domain: box.
    • Type your ULID in the Account ID: box.
    • Type your password in the Password: box.
  12. Click OK.
  13. After a few moments, you will see the message, "Your account settings have been successfully verified."
  14. Click the right arrow.
  15. Type your name in Account name: box.
  16. Click Finish.
  17. Enter your password if prompted to do so.
    • You may receive a message that says, "Unable to establish a secure connection to ad.ilstu.edu because the correct root certificate is not installed."
    • If you get this message, click OK.

Now continue with the remaining instructions below.

Make Exchange Account the Default (Required)

You must make sure your Exchange account is set as default. If you do not do this, you will have problems sending and responding to meeting invitations.

To configure Entourage so your Exchange account is the default, do the following:

  1. Go to the Entourage menu and select Account Settings....
  2. Make sure your Exchange account is bold; this indicates it is the default.
  3. If your Exchange account is not bold, select your Exchange account and click Make Default.
  4. Your Exchange account appears in bold once it is set as the default.

Additional Configuration (Recommended)

For event scheduling to work properly, you must configure Entourage with the path to your public folder on the Exchange server. Scheduling allows you to see when prospective attendees and resources (like locations) are available. Completing the steps below will also eliminate the "root certificate" error, which you may periodically receive when using Entourage.

To complete your Entourage configuration, do the following:

  1. Go to the Entourage menu and select Account Settings....
  2. Double-click your Exchange account.
  3. Click the Advanced tab.
  4. In the box labeled Public folders server:, you must specify the full server name for your Exchange server, followed by /public. To determine the appropriate Exchange server name, please log in to the Exchange Server Lookup web page. You must type your Exchange server name and append /public to the end of it.
    • For example, if your server name is exchange1234.ad.ilstu.edu, then you would type exchange1234.ad.ilstu.edu/public into the box labeled Public folders server:.
  5. Under the Public folders server: box, remove the check mark next to the box labeled, This DAV service requires a secure connection (SSL).
  6. Under the Directory Settings section, remove the check mark next to the box labeled, This LDAP server requires a secure connection (SSL).
  7. Click OK.
  8. Enter your password if prompted to do so.

You can now use Entourage 2008 with Exchange.

Article Information

  • Article ID: 1358
  • Last Review: Nov 16, 2009
  • Type: Instructions

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