Attachment Service

Research In Motion

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Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................1 Handheld and desktop requirements.........................................................................................................................1 Hardware ...................................................................................................................................................................1 Software.....................................................................................................................................................................1 System requirements ...................................................................................................................................................1 Hardware ...................................................................................................................................................................1 Software.....................................................................................................................................................................2 Microsoft Exchange...............................................................................................................................................2 IBM Lotus Domino ...............................................................................................................................................2 Installation....................................................................................................................................................................2 Functionality ................................................................................................................................................................3 System architecture .....................................................................................................................................................3 Attachment Service process.......................................................................................................................................4 Support for multiple BlackBerry Enterprise Servers .................................................................................................5 Dedicated attachment server......................................................................................................................................5 Scalability .....................................................................................................................................................................5 Security.........................................................................................................................................................................6 Administration .............................................................................................................................................................6 Monitoring....................................................................................................................................................................6 Performance.................................................................................................................................................................6 Network performance ................................................................................................................................................6 Attachment Service application..................................................................................................................................7 Supported document formats .....................................................................................................................................7 Supported server features...........................................................................................................................................8 Supported handheld features......................................................................................................................................8

Attachment Service

Introduction
The BlackBerry wireless solution enables mobile professionals to stay connected to their information and communications, such as email, corporate data, and organizer information while they are away from their desks. Many mobile professionals also require access to email attachments when they are away from their computers. According to Delphi Forums, 80 percent of all corporate knowledge is stored in documents, so access to email attachments is important. Other software or subscription services offer wireless attachment solutions. Often, these solutions require expensive and complicated server installations with additional licenses for software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and Corel WordPerfect. The Attachment Service is a feature of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server that enables BlackBerry Wireless Handheld users to open and view email attachments. The Attachment Service supports Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Corel WordPerfect, Adobe PDF, HTML, Zip archive, and ASCII documents. Content is formatted and delivered to the BlackBerry handheld using the Universal Content Stream (UCS) format. UCS is a proprietary, efficient format that is optimized for wireless delivery. UCS supports text, image, vector, and hybrid content. On a BlackBerry handheld, the Attachment Service enables users to view attachment content in UCS format, which preserves the formatting and font style information of documents.

Handheld and desktop requirements

The Attachment Service requires the following handheld hardware and software:

Hardware
You can use the Attachment Service on the following handhelds: RIM 850 Wireless Handheld RIM 857 Wireless Handheld RIM 950 Wireless Handheld RIM 957 Wireless Handheld Java-enabled BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds

Software
Handheld type C++-enabled handhelds Java-enabled BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds Desktop software version BlackBerry Desktop Software version 2.1 or later BlackBerry Desktop Software version 3.6 or later

System requirements
The Attachment Service requires the following computer hardware and software:

Hardware
computer with an Intel Pentium III or compatible processor (minimum 500-MHz processor, 512-MB RAM, 1-GB hard disk drive) network adapter that is compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating systems (refer to www.microsoft.com for more information on hardware compatibility)
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Software
Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 or later, or Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 1 or later Microsoft XML Parser (MSXML) version 3.0 or later (this software is installed with the Attachment Service by default) Microsoft Exchange Microsoft Exchange 2000 Service Pack 2 or later mail server environment (install this software on a separate computer from the BlackBerry Enterprise Server service), or Microsoft Exchange 5.5 Service Pack 4 mail server environment Handheld type C++-enabled handhelds Java-enabled BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 3.5 or later for Microsoft Exchange (requires the Attachment Service add on) 3.6 or later for Microsoft Exchange

Note: When BlackBerry users request an attachment using the Attachment Service with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 3.5, the request resides in their Sent Items folder. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 3.5 Service Pack 1 resolves this issue. Therefore, the minimum requirement for the Attachment Service is the BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 3.5; however, BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 3.5 Service Pack 1 is recommended. IBM Lotus Domino IBM Lotus Domino Server version 5.03 or later Handheld type C++-enabled handhelds Java-enabled BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 2.1 Service Pack 1 or later for Lotus Domino (requires the Attachment Service add on) 2.2 or later for Lotus Domino

Installation
Install the Attachment Service on the computer that is running the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Handheld type C++-enabled handhelds with software version 2.1 or 2.5 C++-enabled handhelds with software version 2.6 or later Java-enabled BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds Installation instructions Load the Attachment Service onto the handheld. Refer to the Attachment Service Readme at www.blackberry.com/support/. The Attachment Service is loaded by default.

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Functionality
The Attachment Service performs the following functions: monitors the BlackBerry Enterprise Server for new email attachment requests accesses email attachments directly from the mail server enables handheld users to request the table of contents or the full content of attachments converts documents to digital content for optimized wireless delivery converts digital content to UCS format delivers UCS data to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, where it is compressed, encrypted, and sent to the handheld over the Internet and the wireless network supports as many users as the BlackBerry Enterprise Server does

System architecture
The BlackBerry Enterprise Server maintains a link to the messages that are stored on the user mail server. The Attachment Service, which integrates with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, can use this link to access attachments directly from the mail server. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server also maintains a constant, direct TCP/IP-level connection (Server Routing Protocol or SRP) to the wireless network. The firewall must be configured to allow the BlackBerry Enterprise Server to connect through port 3101. This connection is not a hole in the firewall because it requires only an outbound-originated connection. The Attachment Service communicates directly with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server over the TCP/IP connection. No inbound or outbound connections through the firewall are required. By default, the Attachment Service uses ports 1900, 1999, and 2000 to communicate with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, but any valid TCP/IP ports are acceptable. The following table describes the purpose of each port number: Port number 1900 1999 2000 Description used to submit documents and to return the converted content used for administration and monitoring purposes used to monitor background processing of large attachments to make sure that the BlackBerry Enterprise Server is not busy with attachment processing

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The following diagram illustrates the Attachment Service architecture:

Architecture using the BlackBerry Enterprise Server with the Attachment Service

Attachment Service process

The BlackBerry Enterprise Server receives documents in binary format. The documents are distilled, and the content, original visual representation, and navigation information is extracted. This information is organized, stored, and linked together in a highly efficient, proprietary Document Object Model (DOM) in a binary Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. The Attachment Service formats documents for the handheld, and then converts them to UCS format. Refer to Supported document formats on page 7 for a list of the document formats that are currently supported. When a user requests an attachment on the handheld, the request is sent to the Attachment Service. When the Attachment Service receives the request, it accesses the DOM and reconstructs any components of the original document that are required to satisfy the request. Based on the request for content (for example, page and paragraph information or search words) and any available handheld information (for example, screen size, display type, or space), the server generates the appropriate document and sends it to the handheld.

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Support for multiple BlackBerry Enterprise Servers

The BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 3.5 or later for Microsoft Exchange supports up to four BlackBerry Enterprise Servers running on a single computer. The Attachment Service is capable of supporting all four servers. When you install the Attachment Service, you can select the BlackBerry Enterprise Servers that you want the Attachment Service to support, as shown in the following diagram:

Prompt to select BlackBerry Enterprise Servers

Dedicated attachment server

The BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 3.6 Service Pack 1 or later for Microsoft Exchange and the BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 2.2 Service Pack 1 or later for Lotus Domino support the installation of the Attachment Service on a dedicated computer for attachment processing. This type of dedicated support is ideal for organizations with a large number of users and for organizations that use the attachment service extensively.

Scalability
The Attachment Service, which is integrated with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, interprets and converts email attachments natively. System administrators do not need to install additional applications (for example, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, or Corel WordPerfect) on the server.

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Security
Attachment data is protected in the following ways: The Attachment Service integrates with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. All communication passes through the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which compresses and encrypts messages, and then sends them to the handheld over the Internet and the wireless network. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server maintains a link to the messages on the mail server. The Attachment Service can access email attachments from the mail server directly. The Attachment Service communicates with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server directly over a TCP/IP connection. No inbound or outbound connections through the firewall are required. The Attachment Service does not use the attachment applications (for example, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, or Corel WordPerfect), which prevents macro viruses that might operate in these applications from infecting the BlackBerry Enterprise Server computer or the BlackBerry Wireless Handheld.

Administration
The Attachment Service integrates with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Therefore, after the system administrator installs the Attachment Service, no administration is required. The Attachment Service Configuration Tool that comes with the Attachment Service enables administrators to configure various aspects of the Attachment Service to optimize performance and to verify that the Attachment Service is functional. Refer to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Administration Guide for more information.

Monitoring
The Attachment Service generates logs and stores them on the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. System administrators can view these logs for detailed troubleshooting information. Extended logging is available by using the Attachment Service Configuration Tool. Refer to the Attachment Service Installation and Getting Started Guide for more information on log events.

Performance
The Attachment Service uses multithreaded components and a scalable TCP/IP kernel completion-port architecture to process attachments quickly, without using a lot of system resources. The Attachment Service uses a scalable and reliable concurrent conversion process that monitors and recycles used virtual machine (VM) process space at regular intervals.

Network performance
Because documents are often large (1 MB or more), sending full content for all attachments can cause network traffic and bandwidth problems. Some wireless attachment solutions retrieve the attachment and send it to the user as a new email message, which increases network traffic and can add to bandwidth cost. The Attachment Service optimizes network performance in the following ways: Handheld users can request the table of contents or a summary of attachments, which minimizes network traffic and enables users to retrieve and read relevant parts of an attachment. For Java-enabled BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds, users request data in 3-KB sections. This feature minimizes network traffic. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server completes all attachment processing. Entire attachments are not sent over the wireless network.

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Attachment content is compressed using the UCS format before it is sent to the handheld. The UCS format is a proprietary, highly efficient format that is optimized for wireless delivery. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server compresses and encrypts UCS data to protect it during transmission over the wireless network.

Attachment Service application

The Attachment Service application enables BlackBerry users to read attachments on their handhelds. The service currently supports formats such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Corel WordPerfect, Adobe PDF, Zip archives, HTML, and ASCII. The Attachment Service application enables users to view documents that contain indentation, tables, font styles, bullets, bookmarks, hyperlinks, and so on. If users request spreadsheet attachments, the spreadsheet information displays in a scrollable grid. For Java-enabled BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds with color displays, attachments are shown using the color information from the original attachments. The Attachment Service fully supports Unicode character mapping. By using Java-enabled BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds with the appropriate character support, users can view documents created in most languages, including Asian character sets. Refer to the BlackBerry Wireless Handheld Attachment Service Guide or the BlackBerry Wireless Handheld User Guide for more information on using the Attachment Service application.

Supported document formats

The Attachment Service currently supports the following document formats. In the future, additional formats will be available. Format Adobe PDF Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Corel WordPerfect ZIP Archives HTML ASCII Text Versions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 97 - XP 97 - XP 97 - XP 6.0 - 2000 2.6 or earlier all all Distiller Module BBDM_Pdf.dll BBDM_Excel.dll BBDM_PowerPoint.dll BBDM_Word2000.dll BBDM_WordPerfect.dll BBDM_Zip.dll BBDM_Html.dll BBDM_Text.dll

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Supported server features

The Attachment Service currently supports these features for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Supported attachment features BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 3.5 for Microsoft Exchange 2.1 Service Pack 1 for Lotus Domino (both versions require the Attachment Service add on) 3.6 for Microsoft Exchange 2.2 for Lotus Domino 3.6 Service Pack 1 for Microsoft Exchange 2.2 Service Pack 1 for Lotus Domino .doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf, .wpd, ASCII files C++-enabled handhelds All BlackBerry handhelds Color .zip files HTML

Supported handheld features

The Attachment Service currently supports these features for the BlackBerry handheld software. Supported attachment features Handheld software version .doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf, .wpd, .html, ASCII files Color .zip files

C++-enabled handhelds 2.1, 2.5 (both versions require the Attachment Service add on) 2.6 2.6 Service Pack 1 Java-enabled BlackBerry handhelds 3.6 3.7

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Attachment Service

Part number: WPE-00024-003

2003 Research In Motion Limited. All rights reserved. The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion, 'Always On, Always Connected', the envelope in motion symbol and the BlackBerry logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. The handheld and/or associated software are protected by copyright, international treaties and various patents, including one or more of the following U.S. patents: 6,278,442; 6,271,605; 6,219,694; 6,075,470; 6,073,318; D,445,428; D,433,460; D,416,256. Other patents are registered or pending in various countries around the world. Please visit www.rim.com/patents.shtml for a current listing of applicable patents.

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