1. Understanding Your Connection URL
To connect to a source or destination Exchange environment, CloudM Migrate requires a specific URL. This allows the platform to locate and access user mailbox data for migration. There are two primary methods for establishing this connection:
- Autodiscovery Service URL (Recommended Method): This is the preferred and most reliable method. The Autodiscovery service automatically locates the specific server where user data is stored.
- Direct Exchange EWS URL (Alternative Method): This should only be used as a fallback if the Autodiscovery service is not configured or available for your environment.
2. Using the Autodiscovery Service URL
Autodiscovery is the standard mechanism used by Exchange to provide clients with the correct server connection settings.
For Microsoft 365 (Office 365) Migrations
If you are migrating to or from a Microsoft 365 environment, CloudM Migrate is pre-configured with the correct default URL. No changes are typically required.
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Default M365 Autodiscovery URL:
https://autodiscover-s.outlook.com/autodiscover/autodiscover.svc
For On-Premise Exchange Server Migrations
If you are migrating from a self-hosted, On-Premise Exchange Server, you must provide your organization's specific Autodiscovery URL in the CloudM Migrate configuration. Your Exchange administrator will be able to provide this URL.
3. Using the Direct Exchange EWS URL
You should only specify a Direct Exchange Web Services (EWS) URL if you do not have a functional Autodiscovery URL.
Required Format
When providing a Direct EWS URL, it is critical that it is formatted correctly. The URL must always end with /ews/exchange.asmx.
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Example EWS URL Format:
https://mail.yourdomain.com/ews/exchange.asmx
Important Considerations for EWS URLs
The accessibility of your EWS URL depends on where CloudM Migrate is installed:
- Remote Migrations (CloudM Hosted or Self-Hosted off-network): If you are running a migration remotely, the EWS URL must be externally accessible from the public internet.
- Local Migrations (Self-Hosted on-network): If CloudM Migrate is installed on a machine within the same local network as your Exchange Server, an internal EWS URL will suffice.
4. How to Find Your EWS URL
If you are unsure of your EWS URL, Microsoft provides tools and guidance to help you determine the correct address for your environment.
- Resource: Use the official Microsoft Remote Connectivity Analyzer to test and identify your EWS URL under the "Exchange Server" tests. (Note: The original article link was generic; this is a more specific and helpful resource).