Install Zextras Carbonio CE on Ubuntu 22.04: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to Zextras Carbonio CE

Zextras Carbonio CE is an open-source email and collaboration suite that integrates various functionalities to support modern collaborative work environments. Its features include email, chat, video conferencing, advanced webmail, file management, and secure authentication. This suite is designed for flexibility, data sovereignty, and privacy.

System Requirements

Before installing Zextras Carbonio CE, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

Hardware Requirements

• CPU: Intel/AMD 64-bit CPU 1.5 GHz
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Disk Space: 40 GB (Operating system and Carbonio CE)

Software Requirements

• Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04 (64-bit)
• Dependencies: Updated Linux packages

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DNS Setup

You need to create few records for domain to get started. They are as follows.

Preparing Your Server

First, switch to the root user and update your packages:

apt update && apt install tmux vim

Configuring the Hostname

Set a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) for your server:

hostnamectl set-hostname mail.vkttech.xyz

Update the /etc/hosts file:

vim /etc/hosts
51.222.26.94 mail.vkttech.xyz mail

Verify DNS records:

dig mx vkttech.xyz
dig mail.vkttech.xyz

Adding the Zextras Carbonio Repository

Download the repository script:

wget https://repo.zextras.io/inst_repo_ubuntu.sh

Run the script to add the repository:

bash ./inst_repo_ubuntu.sh

Update the package list:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

Installing Zextras Carbonio CE

Install Carbonio CE:

apt install carbonio-ce

Initial Configuration

Start the bootstrap process:

carbonio-bootstrap

This command will enable the required service and create an admin account without a password. Press y to continue:

----------------------------------
| Starting Carbonio Bootstrap... |
----------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zextras may collect a minimal set of public-facing technical information about 
your use of Carbonio CE. This data should not contain personal identifiable 
information, but in case they are subject to Zextras' Privacy Policy 
[https://www.zextras.com].
...
Checking for port conflicts

Main menu

   1) Common Configuration:                                                  
   2) carbonio-directory-server:               Enabled                       
   3) carbonio-logger:                         Enabled                       
   4) carbonio-mta:                            Enabled                       
   5) carbonio-appserver:                      Enabled                       
   6) carbonio-proxy:                          Enabled                       
   s) Save config to file                                                    
   x) Expand menu                                                            
   q) Quit                                    

*** CONFIGURATION COMPLETE - press 'y' to apply configuration
Select from menu, or press 'y' to apply config (? - help) y

Follow the prompts to enable required services and create an admin account.

Setting Admin Password

Set a strong password for the admin account:

su - zextras
zmprov setpassword [email protected] newpassword

Allow ports through the firewall

ufw allow 25,22,6071,80,110,143,443,465,587,993,995,5222,5223,9071,7071/tcp

Accessing the Zextras Carbonio CE Web UI

Web Client Access

Access the web client at:

https://mail.vkttech.xyz

Admin UI Access

Access the admin UI at:

https://mail.vkttech.xyz:6071/

Securing Zextras Carbonio CE with Let’s Encrypt

Installing Certbot

Install Certbot and dependencies:

apt install software-properties-common
add-apt-repository universe
add-apt-repository ppa:certbot/certbot
apt update
apt install certbot

Generating SSL Certificates

Generate the SSL certificate:

certbot certonly -d mail.vkttech.xyz

Deploying SSL Certificates

Copy the private key and certificates:

export DOMAIN="mail.vkttech.xyz"
cp /etc/letsencrypt/live/$DOMAIN/privkey.pem /opt/zextras/ssl/carbonio/commercial/commercial.key
cp /etc/letsencrypt/live/$DOMAIN/cert.pem /tmp
cp /etc/letsencrypt/live/$DOMAIN/chain.pem /tmp

Remove the last certificate in /tmp/chain.pem, then download the ISRG Root X1 chain:

wget -O /tmp/ISRG-X1.pem https://letsencrypt.org/certs/isrgrootx1.pem.txt
cat /tmp/ISRG-X1.pem >> /tmp/chain.pem

Set the correct permissions:

chown -R zextras:zextras /opt/zextras/ssl/carbonio/commercial/commercial.key

Verify the certificates:

su - zextras -c 'zmcertmgr verifycrt comm /opt/zextras/ssl/carbonio/commercial/commercial.key /tmp/cert.pem /tmp/chain.pem'

Deploy the certificates:

su - zextras -c 'zmcertmgr deploycrt comm /tmp/cert.pem /tmp/chain.pem'

Restart services:

su - zextras -c 'zmcontrol restart'

Configure DKIM for Outgoing E-mails in Carbonio CE

DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) is an email authentication method that allows a sending domain to sign its emails with a digital signature, which can be verified by the recipient's mail server to ensure the email's integrity and authenticity.

Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary packages installed.

sudo apt-get install libxml-simple-perl

Generate the DKIM Key:

sudo su - zextras
/opt/zextras/libexec/zmdkimkeyutil -a -d yourdomain.com

The output will provide the DKIM data required for DNS configuration. For example:

08D7D1BE-4C5C-11EF-830B-59E30319F1C7._domainkey IN      TXT     ( "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; "
          "p=MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEAr/uW4X7Q1nKbY7kXnWSVZqos0EO1bFKYro5rBJYFfbvcaI/1QaHiV/2S2PBS8zl3/bO/8E0+e36O+pqOrJ42fpJOuE/94W+UyIpxfub+0SMeFEFgpki32xZT4U44mIHvcsCDsJ9dvQ8zRItzW/NOF7NGGuqR8xjeS6g36OQp3NIXHlVWoX8VshefKW8UO8Qiodsuv27sAolv6v"
          "Nmei6xA6rHb8MMtYRQQ/jOIeWGBJq/0BVa4VuhW8M3Lg/2h2mR6XzRXaxpeq6bTpKxCKSeUew1en296EggfUW3DEylFHUFkucHBisXsxpxShdVvCcib27mLKcHD4ObEoFbtVcXWwIDAQAB" )  ; ----- DKIM key 08D7D1BE-4C5C-11EF-830B-59E30319F1C7 for vkttech.xyz

Adding DKIM Keys to DNS

Configuring Advanced Features

Real-time Backup and Restore

Zextras Carbonio CE offers advanced backup and restore capabilities. Configure these features to ensure data integrity and quick recovery in case of a disaster.

EAS Support

Enable native synchronization with Android, iOS, and Outlook to ensure seamless email access across all your devices.

Advanced Storage Management

Leverage HSM compression, de-duplication, and object storage support for efficient storage management.

Managing Zextras Carbonio CE

Monitoring Services

Monitor the running services from the admin UI to ensure the smooth operation of your Carbonio CE installation.

Managing Users

Add and manage user accounts to facilitate email and collaboration functionalities across your organization.

Configuring Email Settings

Configure email settings to optimize email delivery and spam protection.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Installation Issues

Ensure all dependencies are met and the repository is correctly added if you encounter installation issues.

Configuration Problems

Double-check your configuration files for any typos or misconfigurations.

SSL Certificate Issues

Verify your SSL certificate paths and permissions if you face issues with SSL deployment.

Best Practices for Maintaining Zextras Carbonio CE

Regular Updates

Keep your system and Carbonio CE updated to benefit from the latest features and security patches.

Security Practices

Implement robust security measures, including strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Backup Strategies

Regularly back up your data to prevent data loss and ensure quick recovery in case of a failure.

Conclusion

Installing Zextras Carbonio CE on Ubuntu 22.04 is straightforward with this step-by-step guide. This powerful, open-source email and collaboration suite offers a range of features to enhance productivity and ensure data privacy. By following best practices and leveraging advanced features, you can optimize your organization's communication and collaboration capabilities.