Zimbra 7.1 installation is distributed architecure

[blason]

Hey Guys,

Here is my set up and I have no clue how to proceed further since I am running out of ideas. My mail gateway is pointed to different linux server where only postfix is running say having hostname mailgw.example.com and mailbox server is actually a Zimbra server 7.1 where all the user mailboxes reside.

Above that I set up a split-dns server using dnsmasq on Mailbox server itself and would like to know what other settings I need to configure in DNS or in Zimbra installation to make the installation successful.


INTERNET----->MailGW [Linux Postfix]-------> MailBox [zimbra 7.1]
Just FYi, all my servers are behind firewall hence I had to set up split-dns server

[phoenix]

If your Zimbra server is in the same domain as the Gateway mail server then you'll need a Split Domain set-up, look for that article in the wiki - this subject has been asked an answered in many forum posts. If that's not the problem then I'm not really sure what you're asking, perhaps you can give a bit more detail of what the problem is or what exactly you're trying to achieve.

BTW, your description isn't a 'distributed architecture' it's just an edge/gateway MTA with a Zimbra server.

[blason]

Well, not sure if I have made this post so confusing? Let me elaborate
Edge Gateway -> MX Record mail.example.com 192.168.1.160 [Natted to 1.2.3.4]
Mail Box -> Mail Box -> mbx.example.com 192.168.1.161

Things I am confused about are

1] Which server should have DNS server set up? GW or MBX

2] Since zimbra will only be installed MBX server and MX is pointed to other server what other setting do I need to do in Zimbra

3] Can I configure zimbra as a Mail Gateway server only?

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by blason

Well, not sure if I have made this post so confusing?

I never said your post was confusing, I said I didn't understand what you're trying to achieve (nor why).

Originally Posted by blason

Let me elaborate
Edge Gateway -> MX Record mail.example.com 192.168.1.160 [Natted to 1.2.3.4]
Mail Box -> Mail Box -> mbx.example.com 192.168.1.161

Things I am confused about are

1] Which server should have DNS server set up? GW or MBX

Explained in the Split Domain article.

Originally Posted by blason

2] Since zimbra will only be installed MBX server and MX is pointed to other server what other setting do I need to do in Zimbra

No it won't, you'll be installing all the packages.

Originally Posted by blason

3] Can I configure zimbra as a Mail Gateway server only?

In a Split Domain you can install it as the Primary or Secondary server.

Why do you think you need a gateway mail server? I'll ask again, what are you trying to achieve with this configuration?

[blason]

hmmm, well my gateway server would query my internal AD and verify if such user really exists in my network if not drop the mail on the gateway itself. I firmly believe having dedicated mail gateway is more secure than exposing MBX server directly to Internet? Is it not?

BTW can you forward me that Split domain link? I tired looking for that in a wiki but no luck. Would appreciate if you can point me in a right direction.

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by blason

hmmm, well my gateway server would query my internal AD and verify if such user really exists in my network if not drop the mail on the gateway itself. I firmly believe having dedicated mail gateway is more secure than exposing MBX server directly to Internet? Is it not?

Not necessarily and it would depend on whether you mail server(s) are on a public IP or not.

Originally Posted by blason

BTW can you forward me that Split domain link? I tired looking for that in a wiki but no luck. Would appreciate if you can point me in a right direction.

Just go to the wiki link at the top of this page and enter the words "split domain" in the search field.