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Old 05-17-2004, 10:49 PM   #1
viniosity
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Question suse openexchange experiences


I'm considering making the move over to SuSE's openexchange product from my current MacOS X based-Kerio mailserver. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experiences with the product? I've never used SuSE before so I'm a bit nervous about patching and upgrading. If you've used OpenExchange before I'd welcome your thoughts on it.

TIA
 
Old 05-18-2004, 12:31 AM   #2
Pcghost
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After a trial run using SuSE Standard Server 8, I am switching our servers over to slim installs of SuSE Linux Pro 9.1. While the United-Linux based Server distros SuSE offers are nice, and very easy to set up, I find the complete lack of community support for them disturbing. Installing from source seemed to disrupt the Server performance and I am not comfortable with purely RPM based distros when the only people making RPMs for it is the manufacturer. Straight out of the box SuSE Standard Server was pretty cool overall though. I assume SuSE Open Exchange Server is based on the same United Linux foundation. Additionally I read somewhere that SuSE was moving away from the United Linux platform as it didn't pan out as expected.
 
Old 06-10-2004, 03:38 PM   #3
rgonzalez5
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suse openexchange experiences

I have been running SUSE openexchange for some time now and my experience has been mixed. The server setup is incredibly easy and is mostly all browser driven. The ability to administer the server via the browser makes the whole process easy and quick. The portal page is incredibally useful for collaboration. I have users that even share files in the documents section of the portal. Calendar and contacts are just as good as Exchange Server 2003 if not better. Overall its an incredible package and could easily put Exchange Server to shame. However unfortunately such a good package comes with some shortcomings that has caused me to have some misgivings. First of all the OpenExchange enviornment is very closed. The browser interface is the preferred method for OpenExchange, going under the hood and trying to do something like upgrading Cyrus will cause the system to fail. I find this somewhat disturbing because it slaps in the face the spirit of open source. One must also keep in mind two other things - the first being that OpenExchange will only work with Suse, the second issue was raised in the previous post, this is an rpm based system and a bad one at that. While I am not a linux guru nor do I even attest to be half of one I do like the ability to control my enviornment and do spot upgrades, this is the reason I have been slowly weaning myself off the world of Windows networking. One bad rpm install through yast and your system may fail. It makes one wonder if while trying to combat Exchange Server Suse followed Microsoft's model of a closed enviornment. While it may be possible to work in the underbelly of OpenExchange it is not for the faint of heart nor would I recommend it to even an advanced Linux user, when you see how easy it is to upgrade using Debian, one wonders if the trouble is even worth it. My guess is that this is how SUSE traps you into paying the huge price for the next version. To conclude basically its a good alternative but is not in the spirit of Linux and open source, plus its a bit pricey.
 
Old 06-10-2004, 03:46 PM   #4
viniosity
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Wow

I'm honored that your first post was to reply to my inquiry. I found it very helpful! Thanks so much for your feedback!
 
Old 06-10-2004, 03:48 PM   #5
rgonzalez5
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suse openexchange experiences

Pleasure is all mine.
 
  


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