Migration from MS exchange to Linux mail server

[Abdul Ahad.H]

Dear friends,

I'd like to get some info on how to successfully migrate from M$ Excahnge to Postfix or sendmail or any linux based mail server.

I got good articles after googling, for migrating all users to postfix mail server,but I'm not able to get a good answer for mail box migration.I mean..I want to migrate all old mails and mailboxes to postfix.

Hope I may get a good way to plan my migration successfully.

Regards,

Abdul Ahad.H

[Steven E. Protter]

Microsoft Exchange as you already know stores its email in a totally different format than Linux/sendmail.

Its pretty much one file per user/folder in a standard setup.

In the outlook/exchange client I'd start out with File Import Export Then extport to a file.

Best bet then is to choose a comma delimite file.

Then I'd look at the format of a linux user mail file for format guidelines.

Then you'll want to write a custom script to change the exchange data into a standard linux mail file.

Microsoft doesn't make it easy for you.

There might be some way to convert .pst files, you'll have to look at the format and develop something to change the data.

It might be possible to force the exchange server to forward all the mail, but I doubt that would be accepable to users.

I think Microsoft deliberately designed their product to make migration difficult.

these articles may be of assistance:
http://www.linux.ie/old-list/52594.html
http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12157
http://www.linuxmafia.com/faq/Mail/msoutlook-to-linux.html

My search which is based on converting pst files
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=.pst+to+linux+mail+conversion&btnG=Google+Search

I would say it has to have been done before. It might be a matter of a more refined googlesearch.


SEP

[Steven E. Protter]

I found another good article.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/ol2mbox

SEP

[Abdul Ahad.H]

Dear Steven,

thanks a lot .
your last suggestion of Sourceforge.net is the one I was serching for.

I'll now design a migration plan and will update you if successfull.

As u mentioned M$ don't want people to migrate to Linux (or any *ix) so easily.
but once I feel *nix is better always ,what we can do?

Regards,

Abdul Ahad.H

[Abdul Ahad.H]

Dear All,

Is openexchange of Suse is a good alternative for Exchange?

Is migration from MS to Suse mail server easy and without much problems?

Regards,

Abdul Ahad

[Steven E. Protter]

Abdul,

http://66.34.90.71/ITRCForumsEtiquette/

Obviously i don't need to run up my score but when people give you satisfactory answers its best to reward them.

I have no experience running the product you mention in your last post.

Regards,

Steve

[Abdul Ahad.H]

Dear Steven,

I apologize for late reply.

As my question was relatively a general one ,I mean it was not a breakdown case,where I need to get a solution and make the server up,I didn't come back and check immediately and give point to your reply.

Your reply was valuable to me and I believe I appreciated that.

I'm a newbie to forum,eventhough I'm not a newbie in NOS.

So pls bear with me.
Henceforth it wont happen.

About the migration plans...

I'm currently studying OpenLDAP project and learning things.So I'll update you all a final strategy I followed for migrations.

Also ..as GITEX ,the premier IT event of UAE started I may be busy with volunteer efforts in Opensource,Linux stalls.So may not reply or update for next few days.





Regards,

Abdul Ahad.H
Dubai

[philip chow]

SUSE Openexchange Server has MS Exchange Server migration method. But you need to buy this SUSE Linux product.

check following links for further details.

www.openexchange.com
www.suse.com

[Abdul Ahad.H]

Dear All,

I got an evaluation version of Suse 9.1 enterprise server from Novell Middle East.I'll install it on my test server and will update you soon.

Regards,

Abdul Ahad.H
Dubai