Question : Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5

At one of our branch offices serveral people now have Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5 and want to open ports: ActiveSync 4.x requires the following Winsock Transmission Control Protocols (TCP) to be available:" 990 (RAPI)
" 999 (Status)
" 5721 (DTPT)
" 5678 (Legacy Replication)
" 5679 (Handshake & Legacy Replication)
" 26675 (Airsync)
Has anyone used this product. Do I have to open all of those ports on the firewall, seems like a security risk. This is on a windows 2003 domain using XP pro computers.

Answer : Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5

I see no reason why your users would be syncing to devices across the Internet (public networks) and thus requiring opening up a firewall.  Active Sync is typically used when attaching a device to your local workstation via a USB cable (like syncing up a PDA to your computer for contacts, email, etc).  You can also do ACtive Sync over various short distance communication protocols like Infrared.

I would maybe post a bit more info but I can't see any reason why you would need to open up any ports other than maybe creating a firewall rule on the local XP computers (windows firewall) to make an exception for Active Sync as an application itself.  I've never heard of using ACtive Sync across firewalls and to remote networks.