2.1 Address Book Synchronization Functionality

Address book synchronization between GroupWise and Exchange is performed by the GroupWise MTA.

The MTA always synchronizes certain types of objects. You can choose to synchronize other types of objects, based on the needs of your GroupWise and Exchange systems.

2.1.1 Object Synchronization

The following GroupWise and Exchange objects can be synchronized:

  • Users (always synchronized)

  • Groups/distribution groups (always synchronized)

    GroupWise allows five levels of nested groups. Exchange allows deeper nesting. Exchange distribution groups that are nested deeper than five levels are synchronized to GroupWise, but the GroupWise client cannot send to recipients in the deeper levels. For best results, reorganize nested Exchange distribution groups that exceed five levels deep.

  • Resources (always synchronized)

  • External users, groups/distribution groups, and resources (optional; not synchronized by default)

    External objects represent objects in other email systems that are present in your email system for addressing purposes only. External users do not have mailboxes in your email system. Their address book entries contain only email addresses.

Objects can be synchronized between one GroupWise system and one or more Exchange systems.

2.1.2 Object Visibility in the GroupWise Address Book

Visibility is an attribute of GroupWise users, groups, and resources that determines whether or not those objects appear in the GroupWise Address Book. GroupWise objects with visibility set to System are synchronized. This is the default visibility. GroupWise objects with visibility set to Domain, Post Office, or None are not synchronized unless the External Sync Override setting for the object is set to Synchronize Regardless of Visibility.

GroupWise users and resources are created with System visibility by default.

GroupWise groups are created with Post Office visibility by default. They must be changed to System visibility in order to synchronize to Exchange.

For more information about object visibility, see Controlling Object Visibility in the GroupWise 2014 R2 Administration Guide.

For more information about the External Sync Override setting, see Manually Creating GroupWise Accounts in the GroupWise 2014 R2 Administration Guide.

2.1.3 Object Naming Consideration

Characters that are valid and even desirable in the name of a user, group, or resource might not be valid in an email address. Such characters include spaces and certain accented and special characters.

When an object name includes any character that is not valid in an email address, that object is not synchronized. For such an object, you must set up a preferred email ID in order to ensure that it has a valid email address.

For instructions on providing valid email addresses for GroupWise objects, see Overriding Internet Addressing in the GroupWise 2014 R2 Administration Guide:

2.1.4 Attribute Synchronization

The following types of information (attributes) are always synchronized for GroupWise and Exchange users:

  • Name

  • Title

  • Description

  • Phone numbers

  • Address

  • Company

  • Department

  • Location

  • Internet domain

  • Email address

  • Free/busy URL

2.1.5 Address Book Modifications

After initial address book synchronization, the MTA monitors the GroupWise and Exchange objects for changes. When changes occur in the GroupWise Address Book, they are synchronized to Exchange. When changes occur in the Exchange Global Address List (GAL), they are synchronized to GroupWise.

IMPORTANT:GroupWise Address Book information should not be modified from Exchange, and Exchange GAL information should not be modified from GroupWise. Any changes that are not made in the native email system are overwritten during the next synchronization cycle.