Scalix Server to be installed shortly - Some PreQuestions

[Kueschdaaa]

Hi community,

with several interest, I heard about a less cost-intensive EMail-Server which has the most needed modules already integrated without paying extra Smile.

In my current case the situation is as follow:
I'm in charge of a small company (5-10 employers) which is divided into 2 independent companies itself. Also employers have to take care of tasks in both sectors - so they also work and were paid by the 2 different companies.
The current configuration is just a simple outlook landscape. Emails are catched up from the ISP directly by Outlook. Also users have multible email accounts for the different companies. Especially 2 users have that big pst's that they now a) reach the 2 GB Limitation of Outlook 2000/XP and b) have to search through different pst's finding the correct message.

I just finished studying the admin and configuration guide but there are still some questions respectivly they could not extraclty be cleared:

- I read about the possibility to archive all mails in different ways. Also the backup methods are surely a great comfort. My question was if it is possible (by script or whatever) to sort out all emails reaching a defined age (e.g. all emails older than 2 years)
The idea was to use an archive or backup feature to release old emails out of Scalix and to get them for archiving purposes on tape or DVD. This should guarantee a long-term use of Scalix on the same server.

- We're going to start with a central linux server (on which also scalix will be installed). The plan is to use other Linux-features like domain controller, samba file & print service, tape backup, email-to-fax gateway, VPN. Will there be some conflicts when using scalix togehter on a "general server" with the above pointed aspects?!

- What about the client pst-files when using Scalix over the Outlook connector. I cannot see a great benefit of small down the local archive (working) pst. The emails will still have be downloaded from the local scalix installation with full content that Outlook can work with (body-text & attachments can surely not be left away, can they?!). Only chance would be to lower the traffic between server and client due to some special concepts. But maybe (and I hope so) this is just a point i haven't discovered/understand yet Smile

- How to integrate updates? In which period of time updates are normally released?

I hope my post wasn't that much explained complicated Smile

Thanks in advance.

[jaime.pinto]

- We're going to start with a central linux server (on which also scalix will be installed). The plan is to use other Linux-features like domain controller, samba file & print service, tape backup, email-to-fax gateway, VPN. Will there be some conflicts when using scalix together on a "general server" with the above pointed aspects?!

To start with, the best thing you can do to yourself is to not go there. A scalix server is best if treated as an email server appliance. Don't mix it with anything else.
On the other hand you can get a 2nd server and just load it with absolutely everything else available in the linux in world if you want, although also not advisable. Some categories of services and applications go well which each other on the same server, others don't.

You can get an idea of the scalix upgrade releases by looking up the announcement session of this forum, which was about once a month in average when version 11 was first released. Now that things are getting more stable the upgrades may become a bit more spaced.

[Kueschdaaa]

Thanks jaime for your dirst impression.

Of course this is not going to be an "all-in-one" box. It's just based on the limit founds for new investments. So the listed functions will be the maximum ones. It will be just a matter of additional administration if we decide to also implement another "small" server for the other listed services.
I also don't expect that the company will grow that much within the next few years. I estimate a maximum user base of 10.
As both directors want to use mobile functionality/PIM a SBM-Server will surely be the best even when 25 premuim users will not be needed.

We also plan to set up a sandbox first before starting scalix project definitely.
Just want to hear some suggestions that might be very helpful for beginners

[kanderson]

Actually, I'll give another option.

Look at Xandros as a server. It will integrate all of the major services you're after, and provide you with a really nice console so you can manage it easily.

The only thing I'd say that you ABSOLUTELY need to keep separate is a firewall. For that, I'd say use IPcop if you want simplicity, and PFSense if you want complexity for things like dual ISPs and stuff. Both offer VPN, and other useful functionality, but IPcop is much more straight forward to use, whereas PFsense has more advanced functionality. (Note too, PFsense is built on BSD rather than Linux)

Kev.

[Kueschdaaa]

Thanks for the advise.
You're right. I wasn't thinking of VPN functionality completly. Of course this has to be seperated due to security reasons.
So just don't care about this point anymore

Nevertheless I'll look upo for Xandros also.

Futher opinions are still welcome

[kanderson]

For the firewall, I'd suggest just some cheap crappy box you pull from the computer graveyard. You won't need much power, so don't worry if it's old.

A P4 (any speed, even a P3 should be fine) plus 256 Megs of RAM is plenty. For IPcop, a P2 with 128 Meg is fine.

If you're using Squid, and/or Snort you'll want more RAM. But nothing else will need it.

Kev.

[Kueschdaaa]

Firewall Router and VPN are clear since the beginning of the plan
I'll install IPCop or similar as i'm also using this version @ home.

But back to the topic itself:
i would like to get some more information about the technical background espacially reffering to the mentioned question within my 1st post.

Whats about the archive/backup possibility on time based sort out
How will be client pst be involved. Will it be mostly the same size as with normal outlook use (to simple catch the imcoming mails vom email service provider as it is done until today?!)


One more question about the Xendros Server System (if anybody can give me an answer here)
I read that Scalix is installed with a 5 User Premium Licence. Althrough it is Enterprise Edition, shouldn't it be the same amount as the similar Community Edition. I would rather prefer going on 25 user-based Community Edition and just do it without PIM-feature than spending extra money for getting enough user licences (which could be up to 20 additional accounts).
Is there any reason?
Unfortunately the company has 5 seperate empoyers who will surely have to use multiple user accounts do to the aspect of multidomain for each user (same email adress but up to 3 different domain names).