Existing Mail Server Integration

[jstraten]

I looked around in the forum before I posted this and I found some pointers for Exchange, but I was wondering what are my options if I don't use Exchange?

Here is what I would consider to be usable solutions:

1. Existing Mail Server (Primary)/Zimbra (Secondary)
- Zimbra MX has lower priority than existing mail server
- Not every account will be in Zimbra
- Every account that is in Zimbra should have all mails existing on the mail server
- Sending emails must be possible between all accounts
- Only Zimbra accounts would have calendars/contacts
- Possible setup?

2. Zimbra is IMAP client to existing mail server
- Impact on calendar/contacts?

3. Existing mail server acts as a gateway domain server
- Forward mail by domain or SMTP
- Possible setup?


Basically, we don't want to disable our existing mail server while evaluating Zimbra.

Looking for some answers to the questions above or maybe some suggestions on how to do it otherwise.

Thanks,
Jens

[Krishopper]

You may want to check out the split domain setup page on the wiki.

I could also suggest setting up a sub domain (zimbra.domain.com) and set up the appropriate MX records. On your existing email server, you could set up certain accounts to forward email to the test accounts in your @zimbra.domain.com setup.

[jstraten]

Thank you for getting back to me.

Yes, I initially thought about setting up a subdomain as well, but how would people reply to their emails? I mean I guess I could create a script to remove the from address and route everything back through the mail server again, but that would be quite messy.

I will read up on the split domain and maybe it will work for non-exchange environments as well?

Cheers,
Jens

[Krishopper]

When I test new versions, I set up a sub domain and forward a copy of my email to the sub domain. In Zimbra on the sub domain, I set up my Persona so the email appears to come from me@domain.com rather than me@zimbra.domain.com", so responses will still go to the original domain, and then forward to the Zimbra server.

Obviously calendar invites, etc., will only work if they are sent to @zimbra.domain.com, but it will let you test things out with a copy of real email. You just won't get the full experience without mail going directly to Zimbra - but it works without interfering with your main setup too much.

[jstraten]

I think I will try your suggestion.

Thanks,
Jens