exchange mail server on lion server

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seannz

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Wannabe Geek

Topic # 93663 26-Nov-2011 09:20

Hi, pros

does anyone know if I can host the exchange server on Lion Server? For example, I have got a domain like www.abc.co.nz. and would like to have few emails like info@abc.co.nz and name@abc.co.nz hosted on Lion server. I also require to have push email, active sync calendar and contacts with this as well which can push to IOS, Android, and Symbian.

I never tried a mac server. Can anyone tell if it is possible? I am looking for getting a mac mini.

Cheers.

freitasm

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Reply # 550192 26-Nov-2011 09:24

Microsoft Exchange Server runs on Windows Server only.

For what you want you should look at hosted solutions such as Microsoft 365 or Google Apps, and don't bother running your own mail server.

To run your own mail server you will have to get a static IP address, configure port forwards, have the PC running all the time, make sure you make backups and they work, apply all patches, and fiddle with sending emails - some New Zealand ISPs will have their IP blacklisted for sending emails.

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rphenix

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Reply # 550241 26-Nov-2011 11:01

There is no real exchange equivalent though its getting better.

You can run imap on mac os x and use z-push to get push email here is a link to a guide:
http://z-push.sourceforge.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1195

seannz

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 550248 26-Nov-2011 11:11

freitasm: Microsoft Exchange Server runs on Windows Server only.

For what you want you should look at hosted solutions such as Microsoft 365 or Google Apps, and don't bother running your own mail server.

To run your own mail server you will have to get a static IP address, configure port forwards, have the PC running all the time, make sure you make backups and they work, apply all patches, and fiddle with sending emails - some New Zealand ISPs will have their IP blacklisted for sending emails.

thanks for that, mate. it looks like Microsoft 365 will be the way for me to go. I tried Google business email but does not really prefer to use their imap email on outlook, which is no good at all compare to exchange on outlook.

once again, thanks so much for your advice.

rphenix

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Reply # 550252 26-Nov-2011 11:17

If you setup z-push outlook would think its an exchange server its connecting to ie your not using imap with outlook. But I agree with your choice office 365 will be much less hassle and will work well.

seannz

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Wannabe Geek

Reply # 550258 26-Nov-2011 11:27

rphenix: If you setup z-push outlook would think its an exchange server its connecting to ie your not using imap with outlook. But I agree with your choice office 365 will be much less hassle and will work well.

I currently pay $20 per user per month for hosting our push emails, active sync calendar and contacts. sounds like the price will be cutting in half if I opt in microsoft 365. What is the difference between exchange and microsoft 365? Is it just another name for it?

freitasm

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Reply # 550272 26-Nov-2011 12:15

Exchange is hosted by you, 365 is hosted by Microsoft.

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Ragnor

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Reply # 550275 26-Nov-2011 12:23

Office 365 is a good service. I also like Google Apps but yes Outlook's IMAP support is awful.

Couple of points I want to make sure you are aware of:

- A hosted service will feel like it has higher response time and slow transfer speed than a local server in your own network to your clients

- If I remember rightly the Microsoft data centre used for 365 for NZ is in Singapore, so if you ISP doesn't have great routes to Singapore OR say you have un-metered national traffic (which is fairly common for some business connections) this may be annoying for you.

With that said, the much lower maintenence burden vs running your own Exchange server usually outweighs these cons.

Zeon

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Reply # 550276 26-Nov-2011 12:28

Have a look at Smartermail which offers the features of Exchange but without the price tag. It has full outlook sync (including the replacement for MAPI in Outlook 2012 on Mac/PC) and full activesync too. There are a few NZ hosting providers of it:

https://www.web-2u.co.nz/index.php/webemail-hosting *
http://247hosting.co.nz/

*disclaimer: I have an interest in this company

The other option is you could run it off a VPS or run a virtual windows computers on your Apple server.

cyril7

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Reply # 550285 26-Nov-2011 13:18

I should point out that Google Apps will also act as a exchange server to outlook, so no need to deal with imap, that said I agree 365 is probably your better choice based on a largely outlook client base.

Cyril