Read This Tutorial To Learn How To Install Zimbra 8.8.15 Mail Server (Collaboration Open Source Edition) On A Linux CentOS 7 Server
If you are looking for an open source, secure and private business email and collaboration solution then Zimbra Collaboration could be the right solution for your needs. Zimbra 8.8.15 Collaboration is a linux based email and collaboration server that can not only send , receive and host your emails but also enable communications between with peers in real time using ZIMBRA CONNECT, create and collaborate docs, spreadsheets & presentations using ZIMBRA DOCS, store and share important files using ZIMBRA DRIVE and more. Zimbra 8.8.15 Mail Server also comes with NG MODULES that simplify tasks such as Real Time Backup & Restore, Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) on Amazon S3, Simplified Delegated System Administration tasks, Synchronization Of Shared Resources and more. Read this tutorial to learn how to deploy the Zimbra 8.8.15 Mail Server (Collaboration Open Source Edition) on a Linux CentOS 7 Server.
REQUIREMENTS
In order to complete this tutorial successfully the following items are required. Please ensure to have these items available before taking implementation action on this tutorial:
1) A computer running CentOS 7 with the latest package updates
2) A static IP address for the CentOS 7 server
3) a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) with A and MX records pointing to the CentOS 7 server.
4) An SSH client for connecting to the CentOS 7 command line interface
5) Zimbra 8.8.15 Mail Server installation files for CentOS 7
OVERVIEW
1) Zimbra Mail Server frequently asked questions (FAQ)
2) Set a static IP address, install system updates & configure the hostname and DNS.
3) Install Zimbra CentOS 7 dependancies
4) Download the Zimbra 8.8.15 Mail Server installation files from the Zimbra website.
5)
Zimbra Mail Server frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1) The following are answeres to some of the frequently asked questions that people usually ask prior to deploying the Zimbra Mail Server.
– IS THE ZIMBRA MAIL SERVER FREE TO DOWNLOAD AND / OR USE ?
The answer is YES, the Zimbra Mail Server can be downloaded and used for FREE! for business or personal use. Infact Zimbra offers two versions the Zimbra Mail Server Open Source Edition (free version) and the Zimbra Collaboration Network Edition (paid version)
– CAN I DEPLOY ZIMBRA MAIL SERVER IN THE CLOUD ?
The answer is YES!, Both Zimbra Mail Server OSE and Zimbra Collaboration Network Edition can be deployed in the cloud. Some of the cloud service providers that Zimbra supports are: Oracle Cloud Service, Amazon Web Services (AWS), VMware vCloud Director, VMware vCloud Air, Microsoft Azure, Alibaba Cloud and alot more.
– CAN I DEPLOY A ZIMBRA MAIL SERVER ON PREMISE IN MY PRIVATE LAN NETWORK ?
It is very possible to deploy Zimbra Mail Server in your private LAN network. However an internet connection with a public IP address configured on your gateway device is needed. A port forwarding configuration to the Zimbra Mail Server would also need to be done.
2) WHICH OPERATING SYSTEM DOES ZIMBRA SUPPORT ?
Zimbra Main Server has support and can be installed on the following operating systems:
Red Hat® Enterprise Linux® 7 (64-bit), CentOS Linux® 7 (64-bit), Red Hat Enterprise, Linux 6 (64-bit), patch level 4 or later is required, CentOS Linux 6 (64-bit), patch level 4 or later is required, Oracle Linux 7.2, Oracle Linux 6.6, Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Server Edition (64-bit), starting from Zimbra Collaboration 8.7.1 and above, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Server Edition (64-bit), starting from Zimbra Collaboration 8.8.12 and above.
– IF I CHOOSE THE ZIMBRA MAIL SERVER ( COLLABORATION OPEN SOURCE EDITION ) WHAT ARE MY SOFTWARE SUPPORT OPTIONS ?
Many organizations choose to deploy the Zimbra Mail Server Open Source edition which does not come with software support. However there are some software support options that you can make use of and the are:
1) Zimbra Mail Server official documentation (wiki and pdf documents)
2) paid Zimbra Open Source Support
3) Zimbra Community Forums.
CAN I CONFIGURE A ZIMBRA MAIL SERVER OPEN SOURCE EDITION – EMAIL ACCOUNT IN MICROSOFT OUTLOOK
Yes, if you are running Zimbra Mail Server open source edition you can setup a zimbra email account in Microsoft Outlook. For security reasons you should also ensure that an SSL certificate is installed on the Zimbra Mail Server.
3) WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ZIMBRA MAIL SERVER ( COLLABORATION OPEN SOURCE EDITION AND ZIMBRA COLLABORATION NETWORK EDITION.
The diagram show on the right is a brief edition comparison that shows the difference between the Zimbra Mail Server (Open Source Edition) and the Zimbra Collaboration Network Edition.
For more detailed information on the difference between Zimbra Mail Server ( Collaboration Open Source Edition ) and Zimbra Collaboration Network Edition CLICK HERE
Step 2: Set A Static IP Address, Install System Updates & Configure The Hostname And DNS.
5) To set a static IP Address on a CentOS 7 Server with a GUI. Click on APPLICATIONS > SYSTEM TOOLS > SETTINGS. Click on the NETWORK tab and click on the GEAR ICON below the WIRED connection.
6) Click on the IPv4 tab and set the IPv4 METHOD to MANUAL. On the ADDRESSES section type in a static IPv4 address, subnet mask and default gateway. On the DNS section type in any DNS server IPv4 address you like the CentOS 7 server to use for resolving DNS requests and click on the APPLY button.
7) If you are using a Mac open the terminal app and connect to the CentOS 7 command line interface by running the following command:
ssh root@STATIC_IP_ADDRESS_OF_CENTOS7_SERVER
If you are using a Windows PC, download and install a terminal emulation software such as PUTTY and SSH into the CentOS 7 Server command line interface.
8) Enter the following command to install all the latest CentOS 7 system and package updates:
sudo yum update.
Once the installation is complete restart the CentOS 7 server.
9) The next step is to configure the hostname on the CentOS 7 server by editing the hosts file in the /etc directory. The commands below show how to do this:
yum install nano – this command installs the nano text editor
nano /etc/hosts – this command opens the hosts file using the nano editor.
Type in the following details in the hosts file:
IP_ADDRESS_OF_SERVER MAIL.YOURHOSTNAME.COM MAIL
Press CNTRL + O press ENTER then press CNTRL + X to apply changes.
10) Restart the server then check and validate the DNS configuration by running the following commands:
1) dig mx yourdomain.com
2) dig mx mail.yourdomain.com
Check if the results returned by the above commands are correct and match to your DNS configuration and network.
Step 3: Install Zimbra CentOS 7 dependancies
11) Run the command shown below to install Zimbra CentOS 7 dependancies to ensure that the Zimbra installation will complete successfully:
yum install unzip net-tools sysstat openssh-clients perl-core libaio nmap-ncat libstdc++.so.6 wget
Step 4: Download The Zimbra Mail Server Installation Files.
12) Click HERE to go to the Zimbra download page and click on the DOWNLOAD link next to ZIMBRA COLLABORATION OPEN SOURCE. Your web browser wil redirect to a new customer sign up page. Enter your details on the appropriate spaces provided and click on the DOWNLOAD OPEN SOURCE EDITION button.
13) A button to request for a customized quote for the Zimbra Collaboration Network version will be shown. If you wish to download Zimbra right away click on the “NO, TAKE ME TO OSE DOWNLOADS PAGE” button.
14) On the OSE DOWNLOADS PAGE, right click on the CENTOS 7 download link and click on COPY.
15) Go to the CentOS 7 server command line interface, type in the following command and press ENTER:
wget ZIMBRA_MAIL_SERVER_DOWNLOAD_LINK
At the end of the name of the file being downloaded an ETA will be indicated to inform you how long it will take for it to be downloaded.
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