Moving email from a Windows Server to Linux

[FreelanceSoftwareDeveloper]

I am working with a client who is looking to transition from their current Windows server to a standard Linux hosting package for Web/Email. Presume VPS level access on both.

Website is no problem as the site is being re-written from scratch.

Question is, how can the email be transitioned without losing everything and starting again? What kind of tools (if any) could do this in a seamless way. Ideally without them having to reconfigure PCs and Mobile devices would be fantastic if possible.

 

[Dan_Kesher]

What have they been using on the Windows Server? Exchange, POP3 or IMAP?

There will generally always be some configuration changes to do on the client machines since it needs to be pointed to a new VPS.

 

[leemason]

If they are running Windows + Exchange then they could use IMAP to pull all of the e-mail out of Exchange into a Linux based system. We have done this for a couple of customers previously. You could also use Outlook to do the migration by connecting it to both systems and simply move the e-mails mailbox by mailbox from one system to the other. We run a Linux based e-mail system for a number of clients. It's probably going to be pretty low usage so you probably don't need a really high spec system to run the email on.

 

[ServWise]

You could try IMAPsync http://imapsync.lamiral.info/ it is a command line tool for migrating mail via IMAP.

 

[linux]

What about exporting to MySQL database and connecting it with Postfix/Dovecot under Linux?

 

[astutiumRob]

Question is, how can the email be transitioned without losing everything and starting again?

If it's from a current control panel that has an import script into the new one, then use that.

The quick-and-dirty method is almost as simple...

* setup the mail accounts on the new machine as the same mailbox name (email0 and password) as currently
* changethe MX in the DNS to the A record for mail on the new machine
* setup your favourite email client on a machine
* turn off any preview panes
* add 1 mailbox as imap, use the "old" server IP
* add 1 mailbox as imap, use the "new" server IP
* drag and drop the emails from one account to the other
* repeat for each mailbox

HTH

 

[Ola1]

Unless I am missing a lot here, exchange server is rarely implemented on the VPS when its outlook clients(OP mentions pcs) are in office.

Normally, exchange server is in office on their own server and should be configured to sent and receive email via smtp direct, unless its using the more 'basic' POP pull from baisc pop boxes on window server(Plesk type).

One might simply download all email currently on vps pop(probably plesk), swap email to commercial pop3 from host service provider till move to linus is complete, then setup whatever it is you linux folk use for email

Then again, I am probably missing sommat

 

[FreelanceSoftwareDeveloper]

I've looked into this again, it appears they are running a Windows SBS box in the office for everything, internal network drives, backups, email and their website. It doesn't really have the performance or reliability to be running the website hence the desire to move it.

I've certainly learnt a few things from the comments so thanks to all but i'm not confident enough to take it on so will just feedback to the client.

 

[Ola1]

They don't need their email moved, thats an exercise in futility,

I managed SBS for a few years and


All thats should be required is placing their site on 3rd party hosting or, if they've got to self host, you can add a separate server , on a dedicated web connection, separate from their existing network.

Secondly, its more likely that bandwidth not server power is the source off their performance issue, if they're self hosting

 

[leemason]

I've looked into this again, it appears they are running a Windows SBS box in the office for everything, internal network drives, backups, email and their website. It doesn't really have the performance or reliability to be running the website hence the desire to move it.

I've certainly learnt a few things from the comments so thanks to all but i'm not confident enough to take it on so will just feedback to the client.

Why have the website hosted on the same server as everything else? It's not usually the best policy anyway.