ZCSPSTImportWizard - Multiple Users & PSTs

[briceb]

Hi,

Did someone succeeded with the import of multiple users having multiple PST files through the Windows CLI with a XML file ?

When I try, using multiple Import elements, all I get is the DATA from the first account used imported into other accounts..

I feel most businesses are using Outlook and PSTs, so when we migrate a client it is just very time consuming to import those files, that's why I try do it from our office but as it is not possible to launch two simultaneous imports it would be at least great to be able get the whole import automatically run say during a weekend or something..

Thank you for you feedback and thoughts on this!

Best,

[briceb]

If someone could just tell me "yes I succeeded in doing that." or "no I didn't." that would really be helpful so I would know if I am doing something wrong or if I should check with the support..

Thanks!

[LMStone]

We have several Windows virtual machines we use for PST imports. That way, you can have several imports running simultaneously, limited only by the number of simultaneous Windows virtual machines you can run.

Hope that helps,
Mark

[briceb]

Hi LMStone,

First thank you very much for your answer, much appreciated.

Well.. isn't it funny?! I mean, huh ok this client was only five accounts.. we have an option for another client.. 2000 accounts.. how to say.. should I just upgrade our server with more memory and get more windows licenses for virtual machines or maybe could someone from Zimbra provide a solution that makes sense ?

Thank you very much again..

[LMStone]

For 2,000 accounts if the client is running Exchange there is an Exchange Import Wizard!

Also, do add the Registry Hacks to the Windows machine(s) doing the PST import, otherwise you will be very frustrated with the import failing because the PST file has (minor) errors!

[briceb]

Ok, I actually never used it so I will definitely test it! But regarding the PST files located directly on the workstations, is the exchange migration wizard taking care of that as well ?

Thank you LMStone for being so helpful here..!

[LMStone]

Local cached mailboxes when Outlook is configured with an Exchange server are *.ost files...

If the user turns on auto-archiving, then there will be *.pst files on the local workstation as well, and the contents of the *.pst files will not be in Exchange.

All the best,
Mark

[briceb]

Hey Mark,

So then we still have the same issue, those potential users have a dozen of GB of PSTs, they are working a lot with media files...

Is there someone from Zimbra that could help me figure out how to migrate those people with PSTs professionally and efficiently ?

Thank you!

[LMStone]

What we do for large imports like that is:

1. Get the pst files on a USB drive
2. Get the USB drive to the data center where our Zimbra farm is
3. Light up the Windows virtual machines
4. Run scanpst.exe to clean the pst files as much as practicable
5. Make sure the Windows virtual machines have the registry hacks so that they can import big attachments and will continue even if the pst files have errors
6. Run the pst import wizard, one pst file per virtual machine at a time

FWIW, this can be done efficiently, professionally and cost effectively by using a diligent, careful intern.

Hope that helps,
Mark

[Klug]

I know some VAR (not us) made some devs arround the PST import tool in order to batch the imports.

So I guess things can be done.