User guide

Activating a device

When a user activates a BlackBerry device, the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution authenticates the user and associates the

device with a

BlackBerry Enterprise Server. During the activation process, the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution generates a

device transport key.

A user can activate the device over the wireless network, when the device is connected to a computer that is running the

BlackBerry Desktop Software, or when the device is connected to a computer and the user is logged in to the BlackBerry

Web Desktop Manager

or BlackBerry Administration Service. The user must have a valid email address so that the user can

activate the device and register the device with the wireless network.

Activating a device over the wireless

network

If a user activates a BlackBerry device over the wireless network, the user must authenticate with the device using an

activation password that you provide. You can create an activation password using the BlackBerry Administration Service

and communicate it to the user. You can also use IT policy rules to configure password requirements (such as duration,

length, and strength), to specify password patterns, and to prevent specific passwords. For more information, see the

BlackBerry Enterprise Server Policy Reference Guide.

The device uses the activation password to generate the device transport key. The device transport key authenticates the

user and is designed to secure communication between the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and device.

An activation password has the following characteristics:

• applies to the user’s email account

• is not valid after five unsuccessful attempts to activate the device

• expires if the user does not activate the device within the default period of time (48 hours), or a period of up to 720

hours that you can specify when you create the activation password

After the user activates the device, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server deletes the activation password. The user cannot use

the same activation password to activate other devices.

Security Technical Overview Activating a device

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