Active directory, exchange migration coming to Whiteman

  • Published
  • By Steven L. Profer
  • (Courtsey of the 509th Communication Squadron Network Communication Center)
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Team Whiteman will begin migrating from its current network into what is known as the Air Force Network under the AF's Active Directory and Exchange migration project Nov. 8.

The day is fast approaching when all Air Force personnel will have the ability to log onto the network from any Air Force Base and access their email, calendar, tasks file shares, SharePoint sites and many other applications and services just as if they were at their home station.

As part of the Air Force Communication Community's effort to improve network connectivity, this migration will allow the "total force" access to information regardless of their location. Through the use of Common Access Card enabled computers, users will now have 24/7/365 access from not only home station, but also from TDY and deployed Air Force locations around the world.

So what exactly does the term "network migration" really mean? In essence, all member network and email accounts (including BlackBerrys), as well as shared information files, will migrate from the base network into the Global, Air Force wide AFNet.

While most of these changes will be transparent to the user, the most noticeable change will be our email addresses. The migration replaces the old first.last@whiteman.af.mil email address with the standard first.last@us.af.mil email address; allowing central management of these accounts.

If more than one person has the same first and last name, the standard will be first.last.#@us.af.mil. In addition to global access to information and email, Airmen will be assigned a permanent email address they will carry throughout their career. This AFNet email address will never change no matter how many times they change duty stations.

So what will the migration do for me?

As previously mentioned, once an account is created, it remains yours throughout your career. One huge advantage is (whether you're TDY, deployed or in the middle of a PCS) you'll have access to an active and functioning email account; as long as you have access to a CAC and a CAC enabled computer.

In the past, Airmen had to wait for a new account to be created each time they went TDY, on a deployment, or PCS'd. With one centrally managed network and a lifelong account, this wait will be eliminated; leading to increased productivity and efficiency. One point worth noting however, Whiteman is just one of many AF locations that needs to migrate. Until every AF base migrates to the AFNet, the old format for email addresses may still apply if the base or the MAJCOM has not migrated.

While the us.af.mil address will still work in that case, it will direct your email to the account created at that base. Rest assured that post migration email will appear and function the same as before, and users will still be able to access common applications such as email, calendars, contact list, and shared files.

Some other noticeable benefits include information security and a reduction in the time it takes to patch computer systems and eliminate potential vulnerabilities. Another change will be standardized mailbox sizes based on user categories. Some personnel in the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB will see their storage capacity double. The new limits are as follows:

· Category 1 (1GB): Senior Decision Makers and Associated Organizational Mailboxes
· Category 2 (500MB): Essential Support Personnel and Associated Organizational Mailboxes
· Category 3 (100 MB): Standard Users and Associated

The migration will also result in a consolidated customer service help desk called the Enterprise Service Desk (ESD). The ESD will serve as a "one-stop" shop for the resolution of common user problems and can be reached at DSN 945-2900, or Commercial at 210-925-2900.

How will I be notified of the migration?

The migration will be completed in phases, and in close coordination with the local communications squadron. Migration information will flow a number of ways, and will include computer screen pop-ups, emails, base newspaper articles, and via the AF link/portal.

Each unit will be notified individually via email prior to the migration and asked to follow a few simple steps to help ensure a successful migration. Included in these directions will be detailed steps on how to create back-up and personal storage (.PST) files. The 509th BW will approve and release a unit-by-unit migration schedule to help minimize impact to normal operations.

Because it could take up to two days for new account information to propagate the Air Force Network, an official notice will be posted on the AF Portal informing users that 509th BW, Whiteman AFB AFNet email addresses may not be recognized in the Global Address List.

The 509th Communications Squadron will send separate and specific instructions concerning Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs) devices and how to move emails to Exchange servers to prevent deletion. On-base technicians will be available to lend assistance and prevent the loss of data.

As with any change, there will be challenges, however, the benefits are great--and we only touched on a few. The AFNet and ESD will provide us greater flexibility and ease of management of the network enterprise. Further information is available through your local communications squadron or by accessing the FAQs through the following link: https://cs.eis.af.mil/a6/programs/adx/MAJCOM/default.aspx