Difference between revisions of "Z-Push with Zimbra and HTML Support"

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Z-Push with Zimbra and HTML Support (view source)

Revision as of 22:11, 25 May 2012

630 bytes removed ,  22:11, 25 May 2012
Moved Intro content to Z-Push category page
m (Minor rewording and Meta)
(Moved Intro content to Z-Push category page)
Line 1: Line 1:
[http://z-push.sourceforge.net/soswp/ Z-Push] is an open source [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActiveSync ActiveSync] solution.  Whilst primarily designed to work with [http://www.zarafa.com/ Zarafa], it will also work with most email solutions directly (via [[Acronyms#I|IMAP]]); and can also use 3rd party interfaces (known by Z-Push as ''backends'') in order to access email data. Obviously ActiveSync is about more than just email, and Z-Push aims to sync all those other data types (contacts, calendar, tasks etc).
__TOC__


Z-Push v1 wasn't intended to support emails with HTML content, that's expected in v2 (currently in beta), however there is an Active Sync 12.1 branch of Z-Push v1 that can be used (officially its not of a production standard, but it does work very well, so well some have commented that its better than the inbuilt AS support available in [http://www.zimbra.com/products/zimbra-collaboration-suite.html Zimbra Network Edition], maybe, maybe not).
{| class="vwiki-boxout"
|-
| All the information for the procedure below was gleamed from [http://www.zimbra.com/forums/mobility/26536-z-push-zimbra-backend-push-email-contacts-appointments-tasks.html Z-Push Zimbra Backend (Push Email, Contacts, Appointments & Tasks) - Zimbra :: Forums].  
Its a mammoth thread, but you can search just that thread to find what you need.  If you run into problems, search it, even if there isn't an exact match you'll find some useful pointers.
Failing that, you could try the [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=275320&atid=1169730 Z-Push Zimbra Backend Support Requests] page on SourceForge.net.
|}


In order to get fuller integration between Zimbra and Z-Push requires the use of a Zimbra backend, which is currently written/championed by a Zimbra forum member who goes by the name of liverpoolfcfan, who deservers a lot of respect and praise for all his efforts.  In order to support HTML email a special version of the backend has also been written.
== Procedure ==
 
This procedure should get you up and running so you can sync your mobile device to your Zimbra server using Active-Sync, complete with proper HTML emails.
All the information for the procedure below was gleamed from http://www.zimbra.com/forums/mobility/26536-z-push-zimbra-backend-push-email-contacts-appointments-tasks.html, its a mammoth thread, but you can search just that thread to find what you need.  If you run into problems, search it, it's unlikely you've found a new problem. If you really think you have, you can try the [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=275320&atid=1169730 Z-Push Zimbra Backend Support Requests] page on SourceForge.net.
 
I've also posted a version of this on my [http://vblog.strutt.org.uk/2012/03/z-push-v1-with-html-activesync-for-zimbra-foss/ Blog], the procedure is the same, but there's some basic troubleshooting pointers at the end.


== Procedure ==
It doesn't include setting up provisioning, which is the AS feature that enhances security by providing a mechanism to remote wipe your devices, enforce storage encryption etc.  See the forum thread above if you want to know how to set it up.
This will get you up and running so you can sync your mobile device to your Zimbra server using Active-Sync, complete with proper HTML emails.  It doesn't include setting up provisioning, which is the AS feature that enhances security by providing a mechanism to remote wipe your devices, enforce storage encryption etc.  See the forum thread above if you want to know how to set it up.


'''It's not recommended that you try to run Z-Push on the same server as Zimbra.''' It is possible, but will require you to hack your Zimbra installation, and performing a Zimbra upgrade will probably break Z-Push.  
{| class="vwiki-note"
|-
| '''It's not recommended that you try to run Z-Push on the same server as Zimbra.'''
|-
| It is possible, but will require you to hack your Zimbra installation, and performing a Zimbra upgrade will probably break Z-Push.
If you must do it, then your best bet is to install on separate server first. Then, once you know you've got a working installation, try to get Z-Push running on your Zimbra server.
|}


The following procedure assumes that you have a web-server that's accessible from the internet.  Mine is an [http://httpd.apache.org/ Apache2] webserver, running on [http://releases.ubuntu.com/lucid/ Ubuntu 10.04 LTS], therefore any references to commands, paths, etc, will have come from that set-up.
The following procedure assumes that you have a web-server that's accessible from the internet.  Mine is an [http://httpd.apache.org/ Apache2] webserver, running on [http://releases.ubuntu.com/lucid/ Ubuntu 10.04 LTS], therefore any references to commands, paths, etc, will have come from that set-up.
Line 48: Line 55:
# Browse to your server, eg http://as.domain.com/Microsoft-Server-ActiveSync
# Browse to your server, eg http://as.domain.com/Microsoft-Server-ActiveSync
#* You should be prompted for a username and password (for an account on your Zimbra server)
#* You should be prompted for a username and password (for an account on your Zimbra server)
#* If not, there's a problem with your Apache config
#* If not, Apache has failed to deliver the prompt to you.  Check the webserver log, either your website isn't configured correctly or Z-Push experienced a PHP error.
# Enter a valid Zimbra user/pass
# Enter a valid Zimbra user/pass
#* You should get a "GET not supported" page
#* You should get a "GET not supported" page - this confirms that connectivity exists between all the required components (Apache, Z-Push, Zimbra), and that they are basically OK.


'''In case of problems check your Apache error log, and the z-push debug logs.  Fix any Apache errors 1st.'''
'''In case of problems check your Apache error log, and the z-push debug logs.  Fix any Apache errors 1st.'''
If you think there might be an error in the procedure or similar query, pls feel free to post a comment on my blog post of setting up Z-Push with Zimbra - [http://vblog.strutt.org.uk/2012/03/z-push-v1-with-html-activesync-for-zimbra-foss].


=== Z-Push Config ===
=== Z-Push Config ===
Line 75: Line 84:
=== Apache Config (Normal) ===
=== Apache Config (Normal) ===
Update as required, at minimum you'll need to change the hostname to whatever your web server is (the <code>ServerAdmin</code> and <code>ServerName</code> parameters).
Update as required, at minimum you'll need to change the hostname to whatever your web server is (the <code>ServerAdmin</code> and <code>ServerName</code> parameters).
<pre>
<source lang="apache">
  <VirtualHost *:80>
  <VirtualHost *:80>
         ServerAdmin info@as.domain.com
         ServerAdmin info@as.domain.com
Line 99: Line 108:


  </VirtualHost>
  </VirtualHost>
</pre>
</source>


=== Apache Config (SSL) ===
=== Apache Config (SSL) ===
Line 110: Line 119:
* <code>SSLCACertificateFile</code>
* <code>SSLCACertificateFile</code>
For more info on setting up a secure website see [[Secure Website]].
For more info on setting up a secure website see [[Secure Website]].
<IfModule mod_ssl.c>
<source lang="apache">
<IfModule mod_ssl.c>
  <VirtualHost _default_:443>
  <VirtualHost _default_:443>
         ServerAdmin info@as.domain.com
         ServerAdmin info@as.domain.com
Line 150: Line 160:
   
   
  </VirtualHost>
  </VirtualHost>
</IfModule>
</IfModule>
</source>


=== Android Account Set-Up ===
=== Android Account Set-Up ===
Retrieved from ‘https://vwiki.co.uk/index.php?title=Special:MobileDiff/1959’

Navigation menu