Install before switch over

[wkruchas]

Hello,
I am preparing to switch our email over to zimbra, and have set the date to switch.
My question is, can I do the install ahead of time without dns being changed , so as not to affect the current email system, obviously the install script will not find the correct mx record (probably will even unplug network cable), but is the message I will get safe to ignore, and will the install complete ok.
Or is there a better way to pre load the server to make the switch?

Thanks in advance.

BTW This is a great product I considered putting the pieces together myself until I found Zimbra, the install is painless and I get all I was looking for and more. Absolutely great product I will not hesitate to recommend Zimbra to all my clients.

[phoenix]

Welcome to the forums.

You might find the split domain set-up useful for a conversion, have a look and post any questions you may have.

[wkruchas]

What I was wondering about was the impact on the install of the server not validating the MX record. Will it let me go on if it cannot verify that the domain is correctly entered with a valid mx record?

So that I can load the new server now and deploy it on friday afternoon.

Basicly what I had hoped for is this.

1) Turn Off old mail server.
2) Change MX record to point to new mail server address.
3) Turn on new mail server.

If I cannot pre load the new copy of zimbra then it will have to be this
1) Turn off old mail server.
2) Change MX record to point to new mail server address.
2)a. Wait two hours.
3) Install zimbra (so it can resolve dns and find the MX record)
4) Start using new mail server.

[wkruchas]

After reading the last post let me clarify.

The domain will have an mx record but it will point to the wrong address (at first).

Will the zimbra install script "take my word for it" when it checks the domain and mx record, (let me go on even though it cannot verify it).

I might be making too much out of this, I could just do the install now and when the time comes and if it doesn't work I just have to reinstall, which I would have had to do anyway. But I really hate to do things twice (especially on the weekend).

Any help or insight would be appreciated.

and to bill, thanks for the link

bill

[phoenix]

You will, most likely, have problems installing. What concerns me is what's going to happen to your old server and the mail it contains? Is this behind a NAT router?

[wkruchas]

Hey, thanks for the concern, but don't worry this isn't the first time I've done this, just with your product. Well I guess to be safe I'll wait until I turn off the old server and change the mx.
Almost feels like a microsoftism. But better safe than sorry. I guess the seamless install comes with a price, but still worth it, nice job.
Just to make you feel better I left out unnecessary details (don't want them on a public forum) but there are reasons.

Thanks again
bill

[wkruchas]

No on second thought I will do it early, what the heck the worst case is I have to uninstall and reinstall (late firday night). I will then post back how it went.