Mimecast for Outlook - Configuration Tool

This article contains information on using the Mimecast for Outlook Configuration Tool to modify settings before deployment, including amending MSI files, configuring SQL settings, proxy updates, and upgrading in multi-user environments.

The Mimecast for Outlook Configuration Tool allows you to modify specific Mimecast for Outlook settings before deployment to end users, and is located here.

The configuration tool can only be used for configuring SQL settings.

Amending the MSI file

You can amend the standard MSI file using the Mimecast for Outlook Configuration Tool, by using the following steps:

1. Click on the File | Open menu.
2. Select the MSI File that you would like to amend.
3. Navigate through the tabs in the menu and make the required amendments, as detailed below.
4. Select the Override option next to the relevant setting, to modify the default value. Before selecting the Override option, the field will be grayed out.
   
   

Install and Update

This tab shows various settings specific to the installer to be modified.

Option	Description
Install Path	It provides the ability to modify the default install path.
Sign Adxloader	Digitally signs the Adxloader.dll file used to install Mimecast for Outlook.
Update URL	Update Mimecast for Outlook when a new version is available in the specified URL.

Communication

This tab allows you to configure whether or not a Proxy Server is in use. Additional Proxy Server settings can also be defined.

Setting	Description
No Proxy	No proxy server is used for internet access.
Use System Proxy Settings	Use the system proxy.
Manual Proxy Configuration	Complete customized proxy options.
Authentication	Customize the Authentication details used for the Proxy. Validate the Proxy Server settings and credentials by clicking the Test button.

Service Settings

This tab defines the service account to be used as part of the installation. It also allows specific file and log size limits to be set.

Service Account	Use the Network Service Account	Specifies the Network Service account used for running the Mimecast service.
	Use a Custom Account	Customize the user account used for running the Mimecast service.
Service Files	Max Log File Size	Specifies the maximum log file size.
	Data Cache	Specifies the configurable size cache.
	Log Path	Specifies the server path for the log files.
	Max Log Rolls	Specifies the number of files to which the logs will roll once they have reached the maximum file size.
	Log Level	This dictates the level of logging. The options are: None, Error, Info, or Debug (default is set to Notices, Warnings and Errors).
Option	Description

SQL Settings

This tab should be used when implementing Mimecast for Outlook in a Citrix / Terminal Server or roaming profile multi-user environment.

Option	Description
Database Provider	Specify the database type you provide, either SQL Server or MySQL.
Connector Location (MySQL Only)	Specify the location of your MySQL Connector/NET location.
Data Source	Specify the IP Address or the SQL Server Hostname.
Initial Catalog	Specify "mimecast-mso".
User ID	Specify the SQL userid.
Password	Specify the SQL user's password.
Pool Size	300 - Use the default setting unless instructed otherwise by Mimecast Support.
Admin User ID	Specify the user with administrator database permissions.
Admin Password	Specify the password of the user with administrator database permissions.
Create Database (Should be used AFTER the connection has been tested)	Initiates the database creation process.
Test Connection	Tests the connection to the SQL Server.

Mimecast for Outlook Configuration Tool Files

Once the MSI is modified and saved, two files are generated:

• The new MSI
• A file with an MCX extension. This change file stores all the modifications made from the default settings. This file should be retained, as it can be useful in the future (e.g. upgrades, recreating the MSI, and making changes to the user's configurations after deployment). Administrators can also view or change the MCX files in the Configuration tool. If you select View Change File, you can see a list of the changes made to the default MSI file. Alternatively, administrators can open the MSI file and apply the changes to that file or apply an MCX file directly by clicking on the File | Apply Change File menu item.

Upgrading Mimecast for Outlook in a Multi-User Environment

Ensure that every time you upgrade Mimecast for Outlook in a multi-user environment, you perform the following:

1. Populate the SQL data in the Mimecast for Outlook Configuration Tool.
2. Click the Create Database button. This validates if a database upgrade is required and completes the upgrade of the database version if needed. A log file is created in the configuration tool folder detailing completed actions.

Proxy Updates

If proxy settings are updated, a new custom MSI must be generated using the configuration tool. It is unnecessary to reinstall the full application, as only the settings.mcx file is affected. The file must be overwritten on the machines where the settings must be changed. Ensure that:

• The file name is settings.mcx
• msddsk.exe process is restarted or the machine rebooted for the new settings to take effect.
• The file path is similar to [Installation directory]\Mimecast\Mimecast Windows Service\]