Connect Zarafa to Outlook & Perform Zarafa to PST Migration

Zarafa is an open source application for Linux server that can be used by multiple professionals for their email managements. It provides its own Web-based e-mail client which includes the multiple utilities such as e-mail, calendar, and contact and task management. It has to store the entire content online which is available on server side using MySQL database. Zarafa server that stores the data items in its native file extension i.e, .ibadata and .frm. It has supported multiple number of email clients like MS Outlook, Web access via Firefox and smart phones etc. Users allows to store and manage their contacts on Zarafa mail server through these client programs.

Zarafa has a complete bundle of features such as emails, my calendar, video conferencing, audio conferencing, chat & presentation sharing with colleagues. Zarafa has one more advanced feature i.e. File management for accessing the files & documents and it can be shared with colleagues from anywhere. If a user have an internet connection for accessing the documents and files that has stored on Zarafa mail server.

However, Zarafa was designed to integrate with Microsoft Outlook which has supposed to be used as an alternative to MS Exchange Server for Linux users. It has been provided to access an email and other related services through web access. Sometimes, users upgrade to migrate Zarafa based data items into some commonly used file format to widen the range of accessibility. Microsoft Outlook is the best alternative for Zarafa users, most of them switch from Zarafa to Outlook because of it helps to store emails, calendars & contacts data items in an offline folder. In the following section, we will discuss on the scenario which leads user to Zarafa to PST migration. Also, gives a manual approach to export Zarafa to PST.

Reasons to Connect Zarafa to Outlook

Due to various reasons or issues, many Zarafa users prefer to export the data files from Zarafa to PST file in Outlook. Some of the major reasons that necessitates users to switch to another email application are mentioned below:

1. Support Windows Platform: Zarafa Server can be accessed through Linux Operating system. It helps to migrate the data items into Outlook PST file that makes it ease or convenient for users so they can access the files on Windows application.
2. Data accessibility Online: As Zarafa permits Web access, thus the data files can always be accessed online. However, Outlook PST files that are present at local location that allows users to access the files in offline mode.
3. Supports in Adverse Condition: It is beneficial to connect Zarafa to Outlook PST while in case breakdown of Zarafa mail storgae. Outlook files can easily accessed independently with Exchange Server for the interval.

Manual Ways to Zarafa to PST Migration

After observing various shortcomings of Zarafa files, many users search for a reliable and efficient solution Outlook PST files. The best manual approach is to migrate data without any kind of data lose. It performs the conversion in following steps:

A. Installing the Outlook Client

1. To install Zarafa mailbox
2. Now, assure Zarafa free Outlook is configure as email application by default as Control Panel >> Internet >> Applications.
3. After this, place the Zarafa CD in specific drive and wait for starting the CD automatically and then, select the uppermost tab as Windows Client.
4. In case, if the users got the client from another source, Now, enter the file name zarafaclient.msi with clicking twice.


B. Instructions for Outlook 2003

For Outlook 2003 and XP, Creating a new mail profile. The following steps are occurred as:

1. Now, go to option Control Panel >> Mail >> Show profiles.
2. Enter Add and fill the text box. Press OK on Zarafa.

For combining the Zarafa mail filters to this profile the steps are:

1. First, create new account and then, click on Next option which shows after adding the mail profile.
2. Go to last option and select option Next >> choose >> Zarafa 6 Server and then, click on Next tab.
3. Now, enter the server host name in the field. Optionally, users can select HTTPS connections which are available.
4. After that, fill the login and password details of user.
5. Now, there are 3 possible connections choose them according to users need those are Online, cached Zarafa mode and Detect at Startup.
6. For closing the Window, choose OK.

C. Create new profile for Outlook 2007

1. Turn to Control Panel >> Mail >> Show Profiles.
2. Go to Add option and enter the title in box. Press, OK button.
3. Now, choose the option to configure Server settings manually and Select Next option.
4. Again, Choose Zarafa mail Server and then, press on Next.
5. Fill the address in Server field. Optionally, users can choose HTTPS connections if available.
6. Enter the required details i.e. user name and password.
7. Press OKbutton. After this, users can store personal or public folders in Outlook after combining the Server.
8. For finalizing the profile, click on Finish option.

Conclusion

This article has been written to help out Zarafa users who attempt to transfer the data from Zarafa to Outlook PST files. We have tried to cover multiple reasons associated with Zarafa to PST migration. The manual procedure has been explained so that the users can clearly understand “How to connect Zarafa to Outlook.”