Zimbra CE move to new hardware

[mrupright]

Hi all,

First time posting. I'm apologize if this has already been covered. I setup Zimbra Community Edition on RedHat WS 4 and would like to move it to new hardware running RedHat ES 4. What are my options for doing so? Should I backup my current Zimbra install using the backup scripts provided on the wiki? Or could I stop Zimbra and backup the opt/zimbra dir and restore it to the new hardware? Or could I go ahead and install Zimbra on my new hardware and run it along side my current Zimbra server and move my mailboxes over to it (is that even possible?)

Thanks for any and all help!

Mark

[jholder]

I don't know if the backup scripts will work, as I don't have much experence with it.

I do know that you can rsync the /opr/zimbra dir to another location.

Then install zimbra using the name config on the new server. Then copy over your "fake" install with your new files. Then do a reinstall as an "upgrade".

That should work, however, you will likely face some sort of "hiccup". If there are any, just post it here.

Good luck,
john

[inigoml]

Originally Posted by mrupright

Hi all,

First time posting. I'm apologize if this has already been covered. I setup Zimbra Community Edition on RedHat WS 4 and would like to move it to new hardware running RedHat ES 4.

If you're going to replace your existing server with a new one, mantaining name, IP and others, I suggest these steps:

1) Install your new server, with a new IP and same hostname.
2) Install Zimbra CE
3) Stop Zimbra CE in your new server.
4) Stop Zimbra CE in your old server.
5) Copy or move all zimbra files located at /opt/zimbra from the old server to the new one (via tar.gz, rsync, dar, or others).
6) Shutdown your old server.
7) Change your IP in the new server and put the same you had in your old one.
8) Start zimbra.

This should work without any problem.
You should install zimbra CE in your new server before moving old server files to include RPMs in your Red Hat RPM database and check library dependency.

[mrupright]

wannabetenor,

Thanks!



inigoml,

Thanks, I will give that a try.

Mark

[dijichi2]

Hi

I did a move recently from one rented server to another, different ISPs, different IP addresses. I made sure the hostname was the same on both boxes, but the IP addresses were completely different and the new server had no zimbra install. A simple tar of /opt/zimbra and then an 'upgrade' of the same version on the new server for good measure was all that was needed, zimbra is very tolerant of this it seems

[mrupright]

Hi all,

Okay, here is what I did and it worked.

1.) Stopped Zimbra services on my production home server (Red Hat WS 4).

2.) Tar and zipped the /opt/zimbra folder.

3.) Built my new Red Hat ES 4 server in VMware Workstation (I just want to test this move.)

4.) Installed and configured Zimbra on ES 4 test server in VMware.

5.) Copied zimbra.tar.gz from production server to test server.

6.) rm -rf /opt/zimbra on test server.

7.) Unzipped zimbra.tar.gz to /opt on test server.

8.) Started Zimbra services and checked my email.

Way too cool!! This worked without a hitch for me.

Thanks for everyones help!

Mark

PS: Try that with Exchange!

[inigoml]

Originally Posted by mrupright

Hi all,
Okay, here is what I did and it worked.
PS: Try that with Exchange!

I wouldn't like to defend Microsoft... but... you can also do it. ;-)
Exchange works with one file databases that can be moved and mounted without problem. But, of course, your AD could make strange things...

Zimbra aproach is quite similar (in using an LDAP server for configuration).

[mrupright]

Hi inigoml,

Did you mean dismount, move and remount exchange databases? Certainly, I have done that before ;-)

I meant zipping up the exchange install directory and moving it to a different server and having it function correctly. I am unsure as to the success of such a venture. To many variables...but then again if someone has done such a thing with great success I would love to hear the tale.

Mark

[inigoml]

Originally Posted by mrupright

Hi inigoml,
Did you mean dismount, move and remount exchange databases? Certainly, I have done that before ;-)

More less. Backup active directory, reinstall exchange in the new server, move databases and mount, restore active directory, start services... and pray. ;-)
And yes, I also prefer zimbra way.

[mrupright]

Hi inigoml

More less. Backup active directory, reinstall exchange in the new server, move databases and mount, restore active directory, start services... and pray. ;-)

Yes, I have been there many times with "setup /dissasterrecovery"

I meant zipping up the c:\exchsrvr directory and moving it to another exchange server and replacing that servers c:\exchsrvr directory with the zipped one from the other server. Not to sure if that would work well.... and if it did indeed work...being MS...I don't think I would trust it.

That's why I was so impressed with how easy that was to do with Zimbra.

cheers!

Mark