Until now, EGroupware did not include its own e-mail server. The integrated e-mail client accesses existing IMAP e-mail accounts of a server. The integration (Sieve, filters, out-of-office notes, …) depends on the access possibilities.
For customers who want to have their own and optimally integrated mail server, we have so far offered the installation of EGroupware in a Univention Corporate Server (UCS). EGroupware can be easily installed on a UCS from the UCS-App-Center and the configuration/integration is carried out automatically. This is an optimal combination, especially if you want to use the UCS as a file server, domain controller and for the operation of other services (App-Center).
EGroupware Mail server
We have now provided another installation package with which you can install a mail server in addition to EGroupware. The mail server integrates itself into EGroupware and is then also administered via EGroupware.
The EGroupware mail server will certainly not be usable in every environment and constellation! This should be checked and planned at leisure.
We deliver the mail server as a Docker container with Dovecot (+ push module) and Postfix. The container is kept up-to-date by us. Security update included!
The email server close to the EGroupware ensures fast access times. Especially the access to the header (scrolling in the folder and changing folders) benefit very much. The speed is close to a native client with locally stored headers.
Notes
- The installation package is intended for installation on the EGroupware server.
- The EGroupware mail server needs the users in the SQL database.
- The package is (currently only) available for Debian/Ubuntu
Technical construction
The mail server is delivered as a Docker container.
Diagram of an EGroupware standard full installation follows…
The directory in which the mail server data is stored is located under
/var/lib/egroupware-mail
and can therefore be physically located anywhere. Of course, sufficient performance must be ensured at this point. Otherwise the access speed will suffer.
The EGroupware server installation can be kept slim in order to be able to secure it well and quickly even with large mail stores.
Functions
The e-mail server receives the e-mails, forwards them to IMAP mailboxes and processes Sieve rules (filters, absence notes).
Can be administered via EGroupware:
- A mailbox is created when a user is created
- Mail address automatically generated according to configured scheme
- Signature (automatic) by (group) account (if used)
- Filters and out of office notices by Sieve
- Time-controlled switch-on/switch-off out of office notification
- EGw-Admin can manage:
- Out of office notice
- ACL
- Quota
- Forwardings
- Aliases
- Mail account active/inactive
A Push module is integrated in the mail server. Via the EGroupware push server, changes (new e-mail (also subfolders), read/unread, marks, deleted mail, …) are forwarded directly to the EGroupware client and displayed.
This requires a functioning EGroupware push service.
The mail server should be placed behind a spam and virus protection solution.
The Spam Titan service from EGroupware GmbH is a good choice here, or you can run Proxmox-Mail Security locally, for example.
Installation
The mail server is installed on an existing standard Docker installation simply via
apt install egroupware-mail
It is essential to back up the system beforehand and to observe the documentation.
Documentation
Documentation on GitHub Wiki:
We have set up a separate category in the forum for e-mail server topics:
For questions, suggestions, etc., please create a separate topic in the forum as always and refer to this article.
Technical and organisational support for the installation/operation of an EGroupware e-mail server is offered via our support:
Our EPL cloud offers always include the complete mail server and thus also the integration into the EGroupware administration.
