:: infotechGuyz.com ::
> For the IT community by the IT community

• BlackBerry Server (BES)
• Excel Macro/VBA
• Exchange 2007
• Exchange 2010
• Lync 2010
• Scripting/Command-line
• SQL Server 2008
• SQL Server 2012
• Team Foundation Server
• VMware
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2012

Autodiscover in Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2010 coexistence

Below are the steps on how Outlook client discover Autodiscover service in Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2010 coexistence:

1. Outlook 2007 query AD Service Connection Point SCP objects.

2. Based on the AD site where user exists, SCP information is provided to the client. One of two lists is created, an in-site list or an out-of-site list. The in-site list provides the SCP object that have AutodiscoverSiteScope information. AutodiscoverSiteScope is a attribute that is set on the Object by using the Set-ClientAccessServer cmdlet. The attribute specifies the site for which the Autodiscover service is authoritative. The AutodiscoverSiteScope information contained in the SCP object for the in-site list matches the AD site for the Outlook client. If there are no in-site object, an out-of-site SCP record list will be generated. The list is in the order of oldest SCP object first, most likely the first Exchange 2007 CAS.

3. In Exchange 2010 and 2007 coexistence, the Outlook client uses the first SCP in its list (Exchange 2007) to contact the Autodiscover service. Even a new client or someone logging into their Exchange 2010 mailbox will first use the Exchange 2007 SCP as it is usually the first record in the list of SCP object. This is part of Outlook’s design in retrieving Autodiscover service URLs.

4. If the user’s mailbox is an Exchange 2007 mailbox, the Exchange 2007 SP2 CAS handles the Autodiscover request. If the user’s mailbox is an Exchange 2010 mailbox, the Exchange 2007 SP 2 CAS redirects the request to an Exchange 2010 CAS.

5. To handle the request, the Autodiscover service queries AD to obtain the connection settings and URLs for the Exchange services that have been configured.

6. The Autodiscover service returns an HTTPS response with an XML file that includes the connection settings and URLs for the available Exchange services.

7. Finally, Outlook uses the appropriate configuration information and connection settings to connect to your Exchange messaging environment.