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Configuring an IMAP E-mail Client to Connect to Exchange

The Central Exchange Servers support secure IMAP connections - regular IMAP connections are blocked. Many e-mail clients, such as Mozilla Thunderbird, support connecting to e-mail accounts hosted on servers via a secure IMAP connection. The information below is intended to act as a reference when configuring an e-mail client and can be used to specify the appropriate values in the "Account Settings" (or similarly-named) section of your client. If you have questions regarding the setup or configuration of your e-mail program, please consult your local IT support staff. As an example, instructions are provided at the bottom of this page detailing the steps necessary to configure Mozilla Thunderbird to connect to an account on the central Exchange servers. Note that an Imap e-mail client will only provide e-mail services; for calendaring purposes, including creating and responding to meeting invitations, you must use Outlook or Outlook Web Access.

Secure Imap Settings

    Incoming Server: mail.colostate.edu
    Username (for incoming server): [your ename]
    Outgoing Server: smtp.colostate.edu

Important: You must connect via the VPN in order to send mail when using smtp.colostate.edu as your outgoing server

Configuring Thunderbird (v1.5.0.8)

The following steps outline the process you would follow to configure Mozilla Thunderbird to connect to an Exchange account on CSU's central Exchange servers. The new account wizard only appears by default if you have not previously configured any e-mail accounts in Mozilla Thunderbird. A similar wizard is accessible by accessing "Tools" > "Account Settings" > "Add Account" from within Thunderbird.
  1. Start Mozilla Thunderbird. If you are prompted to import settings from Outlook or another email program, select the option "Don't import anything" and click "Next".
  2. On the Account Wizard window, select "Email account" as the type of account you would like to setup.
  3. On the Identity window, enter your full name in the "Your Name:" text box and your first.last@colostate.edu e-mail address (ex: john.doe@colostate.edu) in the "Email Address:" text box.

    Thunderbird Setup

  4. Select "Imap" as the type of incoming server you are using and enter the following for the incoming and outgoing servers:

         Incoming Server: mail.colostate.edu
         Outgoing Server: smtp.colostate.edu

    Important: You must connect via the VPN in order to send mail when using smtp.colostate.edu as your outgoing server

    Thunderbird Incoming and Outgoing Servers

  5. Enter your eName (ex: jdoe) as the incoming and outgoing user name.

    Thunderbird Setup - Usernames

  6. Enter the name of the account or accept the default and click "Next".
  7. Click Finish to complete the initial setup.
  8. After clicking Finish, a message will likely appear informing you that Thunderbird could not connect to the server. Complete the steps below to update the account so that it will connect.
  9. From the Tools menu within Mozilla Thunderbird, select "Account Settings...".
  10. Click on the Server Settings option (refer to picture shown under the next step) for the account you configured to connect to CSU's central Exchange servers.
  11. In the Security Settings area, select the option in to use SSL.

    Thunderbird Setup

  12. Click OK to save the setting.
  13. Click "Get Mail" to send/receive e-mail. You should be prompted to enter your password. Enter your ePassword to connect.
Note: By default, Mozilla Thunderbird will place attachments inline when sending e-mail. Because of a "known issue" with Microsoft Outlook 2003 (refer to http://help.mail.colostate.edu/faqs.aspx?#faq010), it is recommended that you change this setting so that attachments will not be sent inline. Instructions to do so are available online.