How to Install Zimbra on Ubuntu Edgy

Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) is a groupware product created by Zimbra Inc, located in California, USA. It consists of both client and server components. There are two versions of Zimbra available: an open-source version, which is supported by the community, and a commercially supported version with closed-source components. In this article, we'll learn how to install the free (open-source) version of ZCS on an Ubuntu system.

So what's ZCS more exactly? ZCS is a full-featured collaboration suite, which supports email and group calendars using an Ajax web interface that enables tool tips, draggable items and right click menus in the user interface. There are also some advanced searching capabilities included, as well as date relations, online document authoring and a full administration interface. The ZCS server works well with many open source projects such as Postfix, MySQL, OpenLDAP and it also acts as an IMAP and POP3 server.


REQUIREMENTS

. root account enabled
. static external IP address and a valid domain (or subdomain) pointing at this IP
. a valid MX record in your DNS for the current hostname (or at least, your Linux hostname should be added in /etc/hosts next to the external IP address)
. port 25 opened or forwarded if behind router

PREREQUISITES

. Enable the root account:


Specify a password for user root and type the following command to become super user (enter the newly set password when prompted):


Keep in mind that you will need to be root for all commands in this guide, unless specified otherwise.

. Edit the /etc/hosts file and add the following line:


Of course, replace the IP address, the subdomain and hostname with the ones set on your server.

. Disable the CD repository and enable Universe:
- Open /etc/apt/sources.list in your favorite editor and add an "#" to that line, like this:


- Then, remove "#" from the following line so it looks like this:


. Disable Postfix if running, to make sure it won't interfere with Zimbra:


Run the same command for other services which are already running (Apache, OpenLDAP, DNS etc).

INSTALLING Zimbra

. Install its requirements:


. Install Zimbra:
- Go to Zimbra Download Page on Softpedia (click on Debian) and download the Ubuntu TGZ package (207 MB file to download - it might take a while)

- Untar the package and start the installer:


- The installer will ask you a few questions. Answer them like this:

Install zimbra-ldap [Y] Y

Install zimbra-logger [Y] Y

Install zimbra-mta [Y] Y

Install zimbra-snmp [Y] Y

Install zimbra-store [Y] Y

Install zimbra-spell [Y] Y

The system will be modified. Continue? [N] Y

After the installation process, you will be presented with the Main menu. By default, most of the options have a value that works on most systems, except for the Admin password. To set a password for the admin user, answer like this to the questions:

Address unconfigured (**) items (? - help) 6
Select, or 'r' for previous menu 4
Password for admin@mail.linux.lan (min 6 characters): enter a passwd
Select, or 'r' for previous menu press Enter

*** CONFIGURATION COMPLETE - press 'a' to apply
Select from menu, or press 'a' to apply config a
Save configuration data to a file? press Enter
The system will be modified - continue? Y press Enter

Notify Zimbra of your installation? your choice, enter Y or N
Configuration complete - press return to exit press Enter

TESTING Zimbra

. Login as user zimbra and type the following command, then type exit to become root again:


- You should see all services running, otherwise type this command while still being logged in as user zimbra:



Zimbra Web Interface

Unfortunately, the web interface only works with Firefox in Linux so you'll need to install it (apt-get install mozilla-firefox) before continuing. If you have it installed, run it and type the address https://your.hostname.com:7071/zimbraAdmin in the address bar. Log in with user admin and password specified during Zimbra installation. Here you can add domains, users and much, much more. Fortunately, the interface is pretty straight-forward and doesn't need (I hope!) extensive explanations.


There is also an user interface which includes webmail, calendar and more


Enjoy!

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