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Install Zimbra Mail Server on Fedora and CentOS

Benhcmark Administrator

18/10/2025

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Step-by-Step: How to Install Zimbra on Fedora and CentOS

Setting up a dedicated mail server offers unparalleled control, security, and flexibility for any organization. While cloud-based email is convenient, a self-hosted solution like Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) provides a robust, open-source alternative packed with enterprise-grade features. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for installing the Zimbra mail server on Fedora and CentOS systems, empowering you to take full command of your email infrastructure.

Zimbra is more than just an email server; it’s a complete collaboration platform that includes a mail server (MTA), web client, calendar, contacts, and document management. Installing it correctly is crucial for a stable and secure system.

Essential Prerequisites Before You Begin

A successful Zimbra installation depends heavily on proper preparation. Rushing through these initial steps is a common cause of failure. Before you download any files, ensure your server environment meets the following requirements.

• A Clean System: Zimbra should be installed on a minimal, clean server installation of Fedora or CentOS. Attempting to install it on a server already running other web services like Apache or Nginx can lead to port conflicts and complex issues.
• System Resources: Ensure your server has at least 8 GB of RAM. While it might run on less for testing, 8 GB is the recommended minimum for a stable production environment.
• Static IP Address: Your server must have a static IP address assigned to it.
• Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN): You must have a registered domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com). Your server should be configured with a hostname that acts as its FQDN, such as mail.yourdomain.com.

Crucial Step 1: DNS Configuration

Proper DNS records are the bedrock of any mail server. Without them, your server won’t be able to send or receive email correctly.

1. A Record: In your DNS provider’s control panel, create an A record that points your FQDN to your server’s static IP address.
   • Example: mail.yourdomain.com -> 192.0.2.100
2. MX Record: Create an MX (Mail Exchanger) record that points your main domain to the mail server’s FQDN. This tells other mail servers where to send email for your domain.
   • Example: yourdomain.com -> mail.yourdomain.com

It can take some time for DNS changes to propagate globally. Use a tool like nslookup or an online DNS checker to verify that your records are correct before proceeding with the installation.

Step 2: Preparing the Server Environment

With DNS in place, it’s time to configure the server itself.

1. Update Your System: Always start by ensuring your server is up-to-date.
   bash
sudo dnf update -y

2. Set the Hostname: Configure the correct hostname and update your hosts file. Replace mail.yourdomain.com with your FQDN and 192.0.2.100 with your server’s IP.
   bash
sudo hostnamectl set-hostname mail.yourdomain.com

   Next, edit the /etc/hosts file:
   bash
sudo nano /etc/hosts

   Add the following line, ensuring it matches your server’s IP and FQDN:
   
192.0.2.100 mail.yourdomain.com mail

3. Install Required Dependencies: Zimbra has a few dependencies that need to be installed first.
   bash
sudo dnf install wget perl-core libaio nmap-ncat libxml2-devel libstdc++.so.6 -y

4. Disable Firewall and SELinux (For Installation Only): For the installation process to run smoothly, it’s recommended to temporarily disable the firewall and SELinux. This is a critical security note: you must re-enable and configure your firewall correctly after the installation is complete.
   bash
sudo systemctl stop firewalld
sudo systemctl disable firewalld
sudo setenforce 0
sudo sed -i 's/SELINUX=enforcing/SELINUX=permissive/g' /etc/selinux/config


Step 3: The Zimbra Installation Process

Now that the server is prepared, you can proceed with the Zimbra installation.

1. Download the Zimbra Package: Visit the official Zimbra downloads page to find the latest version for your operating system. Copy the link and download it to your server using wget.
   bash
wget [URL_to_Zimbra_Package]

2. Extract the Files: Once the download is complete, extract the .tgz archive.
   bash
tar -xzvf zcs-*.tgz

   This will create a new directory. Navigate into it:
   bash
cd zcs-*/

3. Run the Installation Script: The installer is an interactive script. Run it as the root user or with sudo.
   bash
sudo ./install.sh

4. Follow the Installer Prompts:
   • License Agreement: You will need to accept the license agreement.
   • Package Selection: The installer will ask which components you want to install. For a standard installation, the default selections are usually sufficient.
   • Domain Configuration: The installer will attempt to identify your domain. If it’s incorrect, you will have a chance to change it.
   • Main Menu: You will be presented with a main menu showing all the configuration options. The most important step here is to set the admin password. Select the option for zimbra-store and then choose the option to set the admin password.
5. Set the Admin Password: Choose a strong, secure password for your administrator account. This account will be used to manage the entire Zimbra server.
6. Apply Configuration: Once you have set the password and reviewed the other settings, apply the configuration. The installer will now proceed to set up all the selected components. This process can take several minutes.

Post-Installation: Accessing and Securing Your Server

Once the installation script finishes, your Zimbra mail server is live.

1. Accessing the Admin Console: Open a web browser and navigate to the admin console using your server’s FQDN on port 7071.
   • URL: https://mail.yourdomain.com:7071
   • Log in with the username admin and the password you set during installation.
2. Accessing the Webmail Client: Users can access their email via the standard webmail interface.
   • URL: https://mail.yourdomain.com
3. Security Best Practices:
   • Re-enable the Firewall: Your first action should be to re-enable and configure your firewall to allow traffic only on the necessary ports (like 25, 80, 443, 143, 993, etc.).
   • Install SSL/TLS Certificates: Do not run a mail server without encryption. Use Let’s Encrypt or another Certificate Authority to install valid SSL/TLS certificates to secure web and mail traffic.
   • Regularly Update Zimbra: Keep your Zimbra installation patched and up-to-date to protect against security vulnerabilities.
   • Monitor Server Health: Use the Zimbra Admin Console to monitor server status, check mail queues, and manage user accounts.

By following these steps, you can build a powerful and secure self-hosted email and collaboration platform tailored to your specific needs.

Source: https://kifarunix.com/install-zimbra-mail-server-on-fedora30-29-centos-7/