Quick Start Installation Guide (open source)

[arphaus]

I'm perusing the pdf, and having never installed anything on a server, I'm guessing that Zimbra is probably something I shouldn't tackle. I figure there's no harm in asking tho: is there any sort of tutorial available for someone like me?

[phoenix]

Welcome to the forums.

If this is a single server then make the changes recommended in the Quick Start Guide, install a DNS server (or have your DNS records set-up if they're hosted elsewhere), you can check it out in the 'DNS in a nutshell' thread. Once you've done that, install Zimbra on a supported platform and away you go, it's real easy. Don't use it for a 'live' system until you've used it for a while, see if you like it or if it does what you want. You won't need a tutorial, there's plenty of info in the forums.

[arphaus]

does this involved using 'shell' access?

[phoenix]

You need to make the modifications any way you like, using vi or kate. For installing the script you need to run it in a terminal.

[arphaus]

ok - i don't know what any of that means. how would i go about learning the necessary skills?

[phoenix]

Is this a server you have installed yourself or a hosted server? Have you used Linux before?

[arphaus]

I have never used Linux, and this is a hosted server (who I will probably be leaving for mediatemple in the near future). I studied MCSE stuff years ago - that's about it for my server experience.

[phoenix]

So the answer to your earlier question is, yes you need to use ssh for access and amin of the server. If this is a hosted server does it have any control panel 'stuff' installed or does it have any mail server, ldap etc that may conflict with Zimbra or is it just a server with operating system? Which operating System is it?

[arphaus]

It's currently Dreamhost, and it does have a control panel, though I don't know what kind. The server is Linux.

[phoenix]

OK, before you go any further it's important to know if the server you've got already has any services running. Does it have a mail server, web server installed - my guess is it probably does. Installations like thjis usually have these services running to provide you with the control panel. Can you confirm what your plan has on the server?