Windows Mail for Vista - Configure to use with the MIT Online Directory Server (LDAP)

LDAP stands for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, and can be used for Windows Mail, Outlook Express, Outlook 2003 and 2007, and Apple Mail. It allows you to access the MIT online directory from within the mail application to look up email addresses.

On this page:

Configuration

1. Open Windows Mail.
   
2. From the menu, select Tools > Accounts
   Result: The Internet Accounts screen appears.
   
   
3. Click Add.
   Result: The Select Account Type screen appears.
   
   
4. Select Directory Service and click Next.
   Result: The Internet Directory Server Name screen appears.
   
   
5. As shown above, enter ldap.mit.edu in the Internet directory (LDAP) server field and click the Next button.
   Result: The Check Email Addresses screen appears.
   
   
6. Select Yes and click the Next button.
   Result: A Congratulations screen appears to let you know you have successfully entered the server information.
   
   
7. Click Finish.
   Result: You are taken back to the Internet Accounts screen where the ldap.mit.edu directory service is now listed.
   
   
8. Select ldap.mit.edu from the list and click the Properties button.
   Result: The ldap.mit.edu Properties screen appears.
   
   
9. Confirm that the screen matches the information shown in the image above, then click the Advanced tab.
   Result: The Advanced Properties tab is displayed.
   
   
10. As shown above, ensure that the Directory Service (LDAP) field displays 389.
    
11. Drag the Search Timeout indicator to 5 minutes.
    
12. In the Search Base field enter: dc=mit, dc=edu and click OK.
    Result: You are returned to the Internet Accounts screen.
    
    
13. Click Close.
    Result: You have successfully completed configuration.
    
14. You must first quit Windows Mail and restart it to begin using LDAP.

To use LDAP to search for names in the directory

1. Open Windows Mail and begin composing a new email message. There are two ways you can use the LDAP directory. You can either type a name into the To: field and search for the correct email address from there, or you can search for the name from the LDAP directory.
   
2. To validate the email address for a name you have typed into the To: field, enter the last name and click the Check Names button on the toolbar. If there are multiple entries, you will see a dialog box from which you can select the specific name you are looking for.
   
3. Alternatively, to search directly in the LDAP directory for an email address (instead of typing the name into the To: field):
   1. Click the To... button in the message window.
      
   2. Click Find: next to the Type name or the Select from List: field.
      
   3. Select ldap.mit.edu in the Look in: dropdown menu.
      
   4. Select the People tab.
      
   5. Enter the last name of the person you're looking for in the Name field, then click the Find Now button .
      
   6. Select the email address from the list of names and click the To: button.
      
   7. Click OK and the name will appear in the email message you are composing.