OSX server email push

[xboxphanatic]

I just made the switch to OS X Server over the weekend for email. I provide email for family members with a family domain. I initially was using Google Apps for a couple years and then had to look into alternatives when they dropped active sync support. I moved everything over to Windows Live Domains last November and was pretty happy with the new setup, but now MS is discontinuing that service. MS wants everyone to migrate to Office 365 accounts which I’d consider if it was a flat yearly fee, but they charge per user and I can’t justify $500 a year for a few family users and I only need email not access to Office apps as well.

I know this isn’t the ideal way, but I am using my home connection for this with a static IP from http://www.mystaticip.com. I’m still on the trial, but it seems to be working well. I’m also using this as a backup MX in the event that the server or home connection goes down at any time. http://www.junkemailfilter.com/spam/free_mx_backup_service.html

As far as migrating data, I did what was mentioned above by setting up both accounts in Mail.app and then dragging and dropping the email over to the new account. I just let my users know when it was going to happen, reset their live passwords and then provided them with the new login details once everything was in place. I also setup roundcube for web access.

 

[profets]

I just made the switch to OS X Server over the weekend for email. I provide email for family members with a family domain. I initially was using Google Apps for a couple years and then had to look into alternatives when they dropped active sync support. I moved everything over to Windows Live Domains last November and was pretty happy with the new setup, but now MS is discontinuing that service. MS wants everyone to migrate to Office 365 accounts which I’d consider if it was a flat yearly fee, but they charge per user and I can’t justify $500 a year for a few family users and I only need email not access to Office apps as well.

I know this isn’t the ideal way, but I am using my home connection for this with a static IP from http://www.mystaticip.com. I’m still on the trial, but it seems to be working well. I’m also using this as a backup MX in the event that the server or home connection goes down at any time. http://www.junkemailfilter.com/spam/free_mx_backup_service.html

As far as migrating data, I did what was mentioned above by setting up both accounts in Mail.app and then dragging and dropping the email over to the new account. I just let my users know when it was going to happen, reset their live passwords and then provided them with the new login details once everything was in place. I also setup roundcube for web access.

Thanks for sharing. I'm in a similar situation with having a custom domain's mail with google apps (currently paying to get active sync access) and another with windows live domains. It's for a mix of family and colleagues. I have some resources available at work including some public static IPs that are unused. I played with OS X server a bit at home this weekend, was surprised how easy you could get a mail server running. Of course you need to be careful setting all DNS, MX records and other domain related stuff correctly.

Looking forward to migrating away from google and outlook.

 

[sevoneone]

I don't wan to play Devil's advocate, because I do agree it was stupid the way Google pulled back support for a feature that is pretty much essential that they are continuing to support for paid customers anyway, but has anyone on here considered the alternative of using Google's CalDav and CardDav services in conjunction with the Gmail app for iOS?

I have a free Google Apps domain for myself and my family, and the above setup is working very well. As an avid Gmail user, I find I like the native iOS Gmail app more than the built in mail app because of the built in full support of labels and other unique gmail features.