How To Install Zimbra Collaboration on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

Zimbra Desktop is a powerful Desktop email client which allow you sync and store your emails, contacts, files, documents, calendar between the mail server and your local server making them locally accessible when working offline. Zimbra Desktop automatically initiates sync b/w the server & your computer on start. Mail server can be local in your network or a server in the Cloud. Among the email services, you can connect to using Zimbra Desktop are Zimbra mail, Yahoo mail, Microsoft Outlook, Gmail and any other personal email account that uses IMAP or POP.

Pre-Requisite

• Installed Ubuntu 18.04 server
• Have ssh access to the user – user with sudo privileges
• DNS server – Dnsmasq should be fine

To support up to 50 users, follow the below recommended settings.

• 4 vCPU or more depending on your available resources
• 8 GB RAM or more
• 50 GB available disk space
• DNS Server

Then move towards the steps to cover the Installation of Zimbra Collaboration Server on Ubuntu 18.04

Step 1: Install and Configure Dnsmasq

First of all Install Dnsmasq server and then configure it to proceed further. To Install & configure Dnsmasq on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS click here.

After it , set up Zimbra Domain, DNS server forwarder, and MX records.

$ sudo vim /etc/dnsmasq.conf

server=8.8.8.8

listen-address=127.0.0.1

domain=example.com   # Define domain

mx-host=example.com,mail.example.com,0  # Set MX record for the domain, preference is 0

address=/mail.example.com/62.15.116.167 # Send example.com to 62.15.116.167

Set hostname of server.

sudo hostnamectl set-hostname mail.example.com

Now, add server name & IP address to /etc/hosts file

echo "62.15.116.167 mail.example.com" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts

Restart dnsmasq services.

sudo systemctl restart dnsmasq

Test an A record of Zimbra Server

$ dig A zimbra.osradar.com
  ; <<>> DiG 9.11.3-1ubuntu1.3-Ubuntu <<>> A zimbra.osradar.com @127.0.0.1
  ;; global options: +cmd
  ;; Got answer:
  ;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 14888
  ;; flags: qr aa rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 1, AUTHORITY: 0, ADDITIONAL: 1
  ;; OPT PSEUDOSECTION:
  ; EDNS: version: 0, flags:; udp: 4096
  ;; QUESTION SECTION:
  ;zimbra.osradar.com.    IN  A
  ;; ANSWER SECTION:
  zimbra.osradar.com 0    IN  A   62.15.116.167
  ;; Query time: 0 msec
  ;; SERVER: 127.0.0.1#53(127.0.0.1)
  ;; WHEN: Mon Dec 31 21:58:39 CEST 2019
  ;; MSG SIZE  rcvd: 73

Query for MX record of your domain. Should return Zimba Server IP.

$ dig MX osradar.com
  ; <<>> DiG 9.11.3-1ubuntu1.3-Ubuntu <<>> MX zimbra.osradar.com @127.0.0.1
  ;; global options: +cmd
  ;; Got answer:
  ;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 25343
  ;; flags: qr aa rd ra ad; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 1, AUTHORITY: 0, ADDITIONAL: 2
  ;; OPT PSEUDOSECTION:
  ; EDNS: version: 0, flags:; udp: 4096
  ;; QUESTION SECTION:
  ;zimbra.osradar.com.    IN  MX
  ;; ANSWER SECTION:
  zimbra.osradar.com. 0    IN  MX  0 zimbra.osradar.com.
  ;; ADDITIONAL SECTION:
  zimbra.osradar.com. 0    IN  A   62.15.116.167
  ;; SERVER: 127.0.0.1#53(127.0.0.1)
  ;; WHEN: Mon Dec 31 21:59:40 CEST 2019
  ;; MSG SIZE  rcvd: 117

See that we have both A record & MX, let’s begin the installation.

Step 2: Download Zimbra Collaboration Open source Edition

As the latest release of Zimbra is 8.8.15. Let’s download the file to the local server.

wget https://files.zimbra.com/downloads/8.8.15_GA/zcs-8.8.15_GA_3869.UBUNTU18_64.20190918004220.tgz

Then extract files

tar xvf zcs-8.8.15_GA_3869.UBUNTU18_64.20190918004220.tgz

Now, move to zcs.* directory

cd zcs*/

Step 3: Install Zimbra Collaboration on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

Now, you are ready to start the installation of Zimbra Collaboration on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Run the installer script – This is an all in one server installation.

sudo ./install.sh
 Operations logged to /tmp/install.log.DM7y8xw8
 Checking for existing installation…
     zimbra-drive…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-imapd…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-patch…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-mta-patch…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-proxy-patch…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-license-tools…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-license-extension…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-network-store…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-network-modules-ng…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-chat…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-talk…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-ldap…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-logger…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-mta…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-dnscache…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-snmp…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-store…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-apache…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-spell…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-convertd…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-memcached…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-proxy…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-archiving…NOT FOUND
     zimbra-core…NOT FOUND
 
 PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE SOFTWARE.
 SYNACOR, INC. ("SYNACOR") WILL ONLY LICENSE THIS SOFTWARE TO YOU IF YOU
 FIRST ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. BY DOWNLOADING OR INSTALLING
 THE SOFTWARE, OR USING THE PRODUCT, YOU ARE CONSENTING TO BE BOUND BY
 THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS
 AGREEMENT, THEN DO NOT DOWNLOAD, INSTALL OR USE THE PRODUCT.
 License Terms for this Zimbra Collaboration Suite Software:
 https://www.zimbra.com/license/zimbra-public-eula-2-6.html

Press Y when prompt for License terms & start the installation.

Do you agree with the terms of the software license agreement? [N] Y

Then agree to use the Zimbra package repository.

Use Zimbra's package repository [Y] Y
 Warning: apt-key output should not be parsed (stdout is not a terminal)
 Importing Zimbra GPG key
 Configuring package repository
 Checking for installable packages
 Found zimbra-core (local)
 Found zimbra-ldap (local)
 Found zimbra-logger (local)
 Found zimbra-mta (local)
 Found zimbra-dnscache (local)
 Found zimbra-snmp (local)
 Found zimbra-store (local)
 Found zimbra-apache (local)
 Found zimbra-spell (local)
 Found zimbra-memcached (repo)
 Found zimbra-proxy (local)
 Found zimbra-drive (repo)
 Found zimbra-imapd (local)
 Found zimbra-patch (repo)
 Found zimbra-mta-patch (repo)
 Found zimbra-proxy-patch (repo)

Select the packages to install

Install zimbra-ldap [Y]
 Install zimbra-logger [Y]
 Install zimbra-mta [Y] 
 Install zimbra-dnscache [Y] 
 Install zimbra-snmp [Y] 
 Install zimbra-store [Y] 
 Install zimbra-apache [Y] 
 Install zimbra-spell [Y] 
 Install zimbra-memcached [Y] 
 Install zimbra-proxy [Y] 
 Install zimbra-drive [Y] 
 Install zimbra-imapd (BETA - for evaluation only) [N] 
 Install zimbra-chat [Y] 
 Checking required space for zimbra-core
 Checking space for zimbra-store
 Checking required packages for zimbra-store
 zimbra-store package check complete.
 Installing:
     zimbra-core
     zimbra-ldap
     zimbra-logger
     zimbra-mta
     zimbra-dnscache
     zimbra-snmp
     zimbra-store
     zimbra-apache
     zimbra-spell
     zimbra-memcached
     zimbra-proxy
     zimbra-drive
     zimbra-patch
     zimbra-mta-patch
     zimbra-proxy-patch
     zimbra-chat

Agree to system modification

The system will be modified.  Continue? [N] Y

Select the packages to be download & Installation will started.

Downloading packages (12):
    zimbra-core-components
    zimbra-ldap-components
    zimbra-mta-components
    zimbra-dnscache-components
    zimbra-snmp-components
    zimbra-store-components
    zimbra-jetty-distribution
    zimbra-apache-components
    zimbra-spell-components
    zimbra-memcached
    zimbra-proxy-components
    zimbra-mta-patch
      …done
 Removing /opt/zimbra
 Removing zimbra crontab entry…done.
 Cleaning up zimbra init scripts…done.
 Cleaning up /etc/security/limits.conf…done.
 Finished removing Zimbra Collaboration Server.
 Installing repo packages (12):
    zimbra-core-components
    zimbra-ldap-components
    zimbra-mta-components
    zimbra-dnscache-components
    zimbra-snmp-components
    zimbra-store-components
    zimbra-jetty-distribution
    zimbra-apache-components
    zimbra-spell-components
    zimbra-memcached
    zimbra-proxy-components
    zimbra-mta-patch
       …

Set up Admin account password

7) zimbra-store:                            Enabled                       
         +Create Admin User:                    yes                           
         +Admin user to create:                 [email protected]
 * +Admin Password                        UNSET                         
         +Anti-virus quarantine user:           [email protected]
         +Enable automated spam training:       yes                           
         +Spam training user:                   [email protected]
         +Non-spam(Ham) training user:          [email protected]
         +SMTP host:                            zimbra.osradar.com  
         +Web server HTTP port:                 8080                          
         +Web server HTTPS port:                8443                          
         +Web server mode:                      https                         
         +IMAP server port:                     7143                          
         +IMAP server SSL port:                 7993                          
         +POP server port:                      7110                          
         +POP server SSL port:                  7995                          
         +Use spell check server:               yes                           
         +Spell server URL:                     http://zimbra.osradar.com:7780/aspell.php
         +Enable version update checks:         TRUE                          
         +Enable version update notifications:  TRUE                          
         +Version update notification email:    [email protected]
         +Version update source email:          [email protected]
         +Install mailstore (service webapp):   yes                           
         +Install UI (zimbra,zimbraAdmin webapps): yes 
 …..
 Password for [email protected] (min 6 characters): [8441mra12P]                         

Complete configuration & apply

Main menu
  1) Common Configuration:                                                  
     2) zimbra-ldap:                             Enabled                       
     3) zimbra-logger:                           Enabled                       
     4) zimbra-mta:                              Enabled                       
     5) zimbra-dnscache:                         Enabled                       
     6) zimbra-snmp:                             Enabled                       
     7) zimbra-store:                            Enabled                       
     8) zimbra-spell:                            Enabled                       
     9) zimbra-proxy:                            Enabled                       
    10) Default Class of Service Configuration:                                
     s) Save config to file                                                    
     x) Expand menu                                                            
     q) Quit                                    
  *** CONFIGURATION COMPLETE - press 'a' to apply
  Select from menu, or press 'a' to apply config (? - help) a
  Save configuration data to a file? [Yes]   
  Save config in file: [/opt/zimbra/config.24171] 
  Saving config in /opt/zimbra/config.24171…done.
  The system will be modified - continue? [No] Yes

The installer script will start to configure Zimbra Server. When done you should get output like below:

Starting servers…done.
 Installing common zimlets…
     com_zimbra_cert_manager…done.
     com_zimbra_adminversioncheck…done.
     com_zimbra_attachcontacts…done.
     com_zimbra_viewmail…done.
     com_zimbra_attachmail…done.
     com_zimbra_url…done.
     com_zimbra_webex…done.
     com_zimbra_bulkprovision…done.
     com_zimbra_proxy_config…done.
     com_zimbra_mailarchive…done.
     com_zextras_chat_open…done.
     com_zimbra_ymemoticons…done.
     com_zimbra_clientuploader…done.
     com_zimbra_date…done.
     com_zimbra_srchhighlighter…done.
     com_zimbra_tooltip…done.
     com_zextras_drive_open…done.
     com_zimbra_phone…done.
     com_zimbra_email…done.
 Finished installing common zimlets.
 Restarting mailboxd…done.
 Creating galsync account for default domain…done.
 You have the option of notifying Zimbra of your installation.
 This helps us to track the uptake of the Zimbra Collaboration Server.
 The only information that will be transmitted is:
     The VERSION of zcs installed (8.8.12_GA_3794_UBUNTU18_64)
     The ADMIN EMAIL ADDRESS created ([email protected])
 Notify Zimbra of your installation? [Yes]
 Checking if the NG started running…done. 
 Setting up zimbra crontab…done.
 Moving /tmp/zmsetup.20190401-221739.log to /opt/zimbra/log
 Configuration complete - press return to exit

Now, confirm Zimbra services status.

su - zimbra -c "zmcontrol status"
 Host zimbra.odradar.com
      amavis                  Running
      antispam                Running
      dnscache                Running
      ldap                    Running
      logger                  Running
      mailbox                 Running
      memcached               Running
      mta                     Running
      opendkim                Running
      proxy                   Running
      service webapp          Running
      snmp                    Running
      spell                   Running
      stats                   Stopped
      zimbra webapp           Running
      zimbraAdmin webapp      Running
      zimlet webapp           Running
      zmconfigd               Running

Step 4: Accessing Zimbra Admin Dashboard

If you have an active firewall, configure it for Zimbra using Zimbra Firewall Configuration with ufw for Ubuntu & then Access Admin interface using http://ip-address|hostname:7071

Provide username & password to login to zimbra.