Migrating - Need some expereinced ffedback... 1

[OneMadCoder]

OK, stick with on this one.

I've recently been put in charge of a Windows Small Business Server with roughly 80 users. However we only have licenses for 20. As a 10 year *nix developer I would like to migrate over to a Linux environment. So... I need some feedback from more people with Server expertise.

Mainly there are 10 local users and 70 or so users that VPN in to the server. However the only real purpose of the server is Exchange. Why the vpn is setup I don't know. What I would like to do is basiclly setup a Linux server and configured with the most stable mail server there currently is.

And I forgot to mention. The users are runing various OS's, from Windows XP, Vista (all versions), Mac, and my CentOS. Would this be a problem. I think Samba could handle that right?

What I'm asking for you guys it what exactly do I need to research as of hardware and software to make this a reality.

What would be the best build for the needs I explained above.

 

[elgrandeperro]

If the purpose is Exchange, the question is do you use the Outlook Calendar? Since you run so many different clients, maybe you don't?

You must determine all the ways your clients use the Exchange server, whether Outlook is using MAPI or you using straight pop/imap. Also whether people are using shared folders in Exchange.

I believe the open source edition of Zimbra can emulate most of the exchange stuff, but I have never run it.

If you need simple mail interface (pop/imap), I am sure there are other options.

Samba is mostly for file sharing and shares, not email. It can do other things like printer support.

 

[OneMadCoder]

Samba is mostly for file sharing and shares, not email. It can do other things like printer support."

That's what I was getting at. Samba should be able to handle the OS's, right? The reason I'm asking is because I've used samba for a while now but only with XP, Centos.

I don't think shared folders are being used and MAPI and POP are both configured and in use. However shared calendars are being used. What do you think would be the best solution for incorporating shared calendars in to Linux and various client's using outlook?

Also what would be the best build for this project in your opinion. Considering Setup and Configuration, Hardware and Setup and configuration?

 

[elgrandeperro]

No, Samba is not a replacement for Exchange. While Exchange/Outlook has "folders" it is not a network file server , like Samba. The only way email clients interact with a server are MAPI, IMAP or POP. Network file sharing is a different protocol. And Exchange is also a Mail Transfer Agent, email alias server (not an email list server), has a web email and calendar frontend. Nothing that Samba is designed for.

If calendar integration within Outlook is important the only ones I have come across are Exchange and Zimbra. Sun has a collaboration suite which has email and calendar but isn't as tightly bonded. Others use Oracle (I believe was from Steltor or ctime) calendar and a separate email infrastructure which isn't very integrated at all which in some respects might be a good thing.

I am sure there are a multitude of other Linux based solutions but these are the ones that I have personal knowledge.

 

[jkupski]

I think OpenXchange also supports calendering across multiple clients. That said, given the amount of time and effort you're about to put into changing your current environment, it might make more sense to just buy the licenses you currently lack and call it a day...

 

[OneMadCoder]

jkupski: LOL... You're are probably right!