Trying to find an open source replacement for Exchange Server

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D

DnetMHZ

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2001
9,826
1
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Ok folks here is what I'm looking to setup,

I need a mail server package that functions similar to Microsoft Exchange does with Outlook clients by this I mean I want the following;

1. Message store type system which allows you to log on to the same mailbox from multiple clients at the same time and view all messages
2. Instant message delivery (messages pop into the client in real time without hitting send/receive)
3. Global address list funtionality

Obviously by the title you can tell this should be free software that runs on *NIX/BSD

I'm not sure if something like this exists or if maybe IMAP can handle what I need.
Thanks in advance for any info

DnetMHZ

<edit>
I found THIS which looks great except for the fact that it's not free.
Back to the drawing board
 
N

N11

Senior member
Mar 5, 2002
309
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I've been looking for something similar. But in my experience with Exchange/Outlook you do get what you pay for. 5.5 to 2000 was a humongous leap, and Outlook 2002 is a very stable, efficient and robust messaging client.

Microsoft has poured quite a bit of time and development into these products and I'm more or less convinced that there isn't a free solution which competes with the combo in regards to the needs you specified.
 
N

n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
42,936
1
0


<< 1. Message store type system which allows you to log on to the same mailbox from multiple clients at the same time and view all messages >>



IMAP should work here shouldnt it?



<< 2. Instant message delivery (messages pop into the client in real time without hitting send/receive) >>



No clue on this one...



<< 3. Global address list funtionality >>



Does this have to be handled by the mail server?


HP have their OpenView or OpenMail or something a while back. Maybe you can get them to send you a copy with source now that they decided to stop supporting it :p
 
D

DnetMHZ

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2001
9,826
1
81


<< HP have their OpenView or OpenMail or something a while back. Maybe you can get them to send you a copy with source now that they decided to stop supporting it >>



HP software.. <shudder>... I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.. ;)

Thanks to the idea though
 
N

n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
42,936
1
0


<<

<< HP have their OpenView or OpenMail or something a while back. Maybe you can get them to send you a copy with source now that they decided to stop supporting it >>



HP software.. <shudder>... I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.. ;)

Thanks to the idea though >>



It was supposed to be pretty good...
 
K

Kell

Member
Mar 25, 2001
138
0
0
HP OpenMail was supposedly very good; it was referred to by one pundit as a mail server that handled MS Exchange protocol better than MS Exchange.

HP discontinued OpenMail, but some other company took it up and is currently running with it.

As for requirements 1 and 2:

In most multiuser, multihost networks, it's normal to have the home directories for all machines served off of a single NFS server. In this case, if you have your mail server set to store received messages in users' home directories (a simple matter with procmail), then requirements 1 and 2 should be easily satisfied with the standard mail packages. It is important to note, however, that you must have NFSv3 support on the home directory server and on the clients; otherwise, procmail locking will not work. Also note that when using NFS over any decent-size network, it is essential to have the information normally provided by /etc/passwd and /etc/group provided instead by NIS services.

Not sure how to satisfy requirement 3, however.
 
Nothinman

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
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3 could be done with LDAP, I'm sure Outlook has to be able to do LDAP easily, if not you can write a plugin =)
 
G

Garion

Platinum Member
Apr 23, 2001
2,329
6
81
All your requirements are fairly simple:

#1 can easily be handled by a simple IMAP Server - It has the exchange-like ability to store message folders on the hard disk. Just set your client to send/receive messages and deliver them to an IMAP folder and you're set.

#2 is a function of the client - Tell it how often to look for messages and that's what it will do. If you want "instant", set it to check for mail every minute. Not good if on the Internet, but on a LAN it should be fine.

#3 is also a function of IMAP, or you can use a variety of servers. IMAP is best, however.

Exchange offers you mail, calendars, shared contacts (different than e-mail address list), Notes, to-do list and workflow-type routing. IMAP is a replacement only if you're looking for simply e-mail. Beyond that, Exchange is tough to beat. (Argue away, but I've tried a lot of solutions and Exchange is, by far, the best commercialware app).

IMAP is a protocol - Think of it as POP4. do a search for "linux imap" on your favorite search engine and you'll find a lot of resources on how to build a box with an IMAP server. Not too hard, and it'll do exactly what you want.

- G
 
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