Frequently Asked Questions

What components are needed to run your collaboration solution with Open-Xchange Server 5?

Your need a Linux operating system and Open-Xchange Server 5 


What Linux distribution does the commercial version work on?  

To get full support and access the latest bug fixes and security errata as well as continual enhancements through regular updates, we recommend using a supported Enterprise Linux operating sytem. Open-Xchange Server 5 supports

• SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 (SLES 9: 32-Bit, x86), which is available for evaluation at http://www.novell.com/products/server9/eval.html
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 (RHEL4: 32-Bit, x86) - Also requires Red Hat Application Server. If you purchase a bundle through Open-Xchange, you receive the Red Hat Application Server within that bundle! 

Will Open-Xchange Server support version 10 of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) as well?

Open-Xchange plans to support SLES 10 with future versions of Open-Xchange Server. For Open-Xchange Server 5, SLES 9 will be default version of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server as SLES 9 will be maintained until July 30th, 2009 (General Support End Date) and supported (Ext. Support End Date) until July 30th 2011. For more detailed information on SLES support life cycle, please visit http://support.novell.com/lifecycle/index.jsp 


What versions of Open-Xchange Server 5 do you offer?
 
Small Business Suite (SBS) is designed for small companies, supports a maximum of 25 users, and does not include installation support. Small Business Suite comes in the base version with 5 named users, including  OXtenders for Microsoft Outlook and Palm OS. Additional named users are available.

Advanced Server Edition (ASE) supports thousands of users and includes installation support and is targeted at larger organizations that want to be sure that the system will be implemented quickly and properly. Advanced Server Edition comes with 25 named users, including  OXtenders for Microsoft Outlook and Palm OS. Additional named users are available. 


What is the licensing model?  

• The license model is based on a maintenance subscription fee. All named users who have access to the OX 5 groupware modules like calendar, contacts, tasks, web mail need to have a license.
• Small Business Server comes with 5 named users; additional named users up to 25 in total can be purchased
• Advanced Server Edition comes with 25 named users; additional named users can be purchased
• Connectors to Outlook and Palm are included in the commercial product package for no additional charge
• Connectors and administration web front ends are not under an open source license
• Support packs are available for purchase
• Connectors to the free Open Source version can be bought separately

 
What is the purchasing process?  
 
Purchases can be directly or through a Open-Xchange partner. If you buy through Open-Xchange Online Shop , our e-commerce provider, Asknet, will send you the required license keys for

• Open-Xchange Maintenance Portal
• OXtender for Microsoft Outlook activation
• Installation support (only for Advanced Server Edition)

If you buy your Linux operating system, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 or Suse Linux Enterprise Server 9, in a bundle with Open-Xchange Server, you will get another Maintenance key for the Linux operating system to be used for registration at the vendors (Red Hat or Novell) portals.


What is the installation process? 

1. If you bought your Linux operating system, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 or Suse Linux Enterprise Server 9, in a bundle with Open-Xchange Server, enter the respective maintenance network with your Maintenance key for the Linux operating system at the vendors portals (www.redhat.com, www.novell.com), download and install the Linux operating sytem.
2. Once you finished installation of your Linux operating system, use Open-Xchange Maintenance Portal license key to enter the OX Maintenance Portal and download Open-Xchange Server.
3. Start the installer, accept the license agreements and enter license key to install software.
4. Send e-mail to Open-Xchange for installation support (e-mail address on purchase receipt) and give installation support key.

 
What is the Open-Xchange update process? 

• All Open-Xchange Server 5 software updates and patches are provided by the Open-Xchange Maintenance Portal
• Open-Xchange Server 5 updates are provided as RPM packages with included installation instructions
• Updated user and administration manuals are also available at the Maintenance Portal

 
What are the key benefits to migrate from Suse Linux Openexchange Server 4.1 to Open-Xchange Server 5?  
 
Open-Xchange Server 5 is a cost-effective collaboration server solution based on Open Source components. At the same time Open-Xchange Server provides an open integration platform for collaboration services. With the latest versions of Open-Xchange Server you will receive significant improvement such as

• Server Platform Independence
• Multiple Administrators
• Database independence
• Administration Interface factored via XML-RPC
• Extended WEBDAV/XML interface
• Documents can be locked for editing
• Improved Webmail

and a bunch of new features such as

• OXtenders for Palm OS and Microsoft Outlook
• Shared Folder Concept
• New Contact Module
• Attachments for Objects
• Objects can be linked for quick retrieval
• Multi language support

Get invaluable advice, and important considerations for your migration here.


I use Suse Linux Enterprise Server 8 with my Suse Linux Openexchange Server 4.1? How do I get an Upgrade to Suse Linux Enterprise Server 9?  
 
You will get the Upgrade through the Suse/Novell Maintenance web, once you have a valid Maintenance contract for your Suse Linux Openexchange Server 4.1.


I do not use SLOX on a maintained Linux Operating system at this point of time. How do I get one easily?  
 
Open-Xchange offers compelling bundles of Open-Xchange Server 5 together with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 and Suse Linux Enterprise Server 9.


I want to do the SLOX2OX migration myself. Where do I get the SLOX2OX Migration Tool?  
 
The SLOX2OX Migration Tool is provided as well as a detailed SLOX2OX Migration HowTo through Open-Xchange Maintenance Portal. But be aware that migration of SLOX data to Open-Xchange 5 is only supported through the SLOX2OX Migration Tool for SLOX v4.1.


What versions of Windows and Outlook does the connector work with?  

• Windows: MS Windows 2000; MS Windows XP (32-bit version)
  
• Outlook: MS Outlook 2000 (SP3); MS Outlook XP; MS Outlook 2003 (32-bit version)

Can I use every GPL version of Open-Xchange Server version with OXtender for Microsoft Outlook?  

No, special versions will be marked with a flag and only these versions can be used with Outlook OXtender


What is supported if such a combination is used ? Do you also support the free Server Software and all subcomponents?  
 
No, we will only support the OXtender for Microsoft Outlook itself. We can identify errors and issues on our reference systems and if the error is server related we are only able to support the OXtender for Microsoft Outlook functionality


How do I get updates, fixes and patches for Open-Xchange Server after the first year?  

To benefit from upcoming releases, and to ensure that your Open-Xchange Server is always secure, we strongly recommend to renew subscrition to Open-Xchange Maintenance Portal. To learn more about the details, please have a look at our special FAQs about renewing your maintenance subscription.