Install zimbra on Ubuntu 8.04 outside LAN

[emnzava]

Dear All,

I have read several posts about installing zimbra on ubuntu but almost all are discussing scenarios where server is behind firewall or DMZ.

Now, i want to know, if i have DNS configured on my ISP servers do i still need to configure DNS on my server while it is not behind firewall?

I ask this because i'm facing DNS problem when installing Zimbra.

My server is accessible to the world directly with public ip address. I dont have LAN ip configured.

Thanx in advance.

Regards,
Mnzava

[phoenix]

You can install Zimbra anywhere you like, completely open to the internet, behind a NAT router, behind a firewall - the (security) choice is yours.

[emnzava]

Dear Bill,

hank you very much for your reply.

Now coming to my problem. When installing zimbra i got this error.

DNS ERROR resolving MX for mail.ardhi.go.tz
It is suggested that the domain name have an MX record configured in DNS
Change domain name? [Yes] 
Create domain: [mail.ardhi.go.tz] ardhi.go.tz
	MX: mail.ardhi.go.tz (172.16.16.2)

	Interface: 172.16.16.2
	Interface: 127.0.0.1
done.

Then i tried to accept changing domain name.

Then installation completed without any error.

Now when i try to send mail to outside world i.e gmail i see this error in the mail queue (differed)

Host or domain name not found. name service error for name=gmail.com type=mx: host not found, try again

What could be the problem?

[phoenix]

There are several problems with your configuration, according to a dig command from my server your server is not on that IP address. The second problem is that IP address is a private LAN IP address and (I assume it's running in a VM) it's not visible to the external world. Third, you will need a Split DNS set-up for your server to work correctly.

[emnzava]

Do i need to configure Split DNS if i decide to place the server outside the LAN. (that means it will be directly accessible to the internet.

Regards

[phoenix]

Do i need to configure Split DNS if i decide to place the server outside the LAN. (that means it will be directly accessible to the internet.

What's wrong with installing a Split DNS in your current environment and forwarding the necessary ports to the server? A hint - it's more secure than being directly on the internet.