Electronic MailElectronic Mail

Upgrade, Conversion, Upgrade, Conversion, MigrationMigration

GoalsGoals

• Improve PerformanceImprove Performance• Minimize disruption of user Minimize disruption of user

environmentenvironment• Architecture that is open to Architecture that is open to

additional features and servicesadditional features and services• Minimize CostMinimize Cost

What Is Changing?What Is Changing?

• The Mail Servers ThemselvesThe Mail Servers Themselves• Other Architectural ComponentsOther Architectural Components• User interfaces (clients) – some User interfaces (clients) – some

optionallyoptionally• Password/Authentication Password/Authentication

Policies/ProceduresPolicies/Procedures• @ALL behavior/management @ALL behavior/management

(optionally)(optionally)• Use of VMSUse of VMS

ServersServers

• Current: Current: – OpenVMS Compaq AlphaOpenVMS Compaq Alpha– VMS MailVMS Mail– PMDF (IMAP/POP/SMTP)PMDF (IMAP/POP/SMTP)

• New:New:– Linux on Dell PowerEdge (Xeons)Linux on Dell PowerEdge (Xeons)– Courier IMAPCourier IMAP– Courier or Eudora POPCourier or Eudora POP– Postfix SMTPPostfix SMTP

Architectural ChangesArchitectural Changes

• Redundant Mail Gateways (fault-Redundant Mail Gateways (fault-tolerance, SPAM/Virus intercept, tolerance, SPAM/Virus intercept, user interface/server flexibility, open user interface/server flexibility, open for other services)for other services)

• Redundant LDAPs (fault tolerance)Redundant LDAPs (fault tolerance)• Routing of SMTP TrafficRouting of SMTP Traffic• E-mail account merges with E-mail account merges with

LDAP/network accountLDAP/network account

Former Mail RoutingFormer Mail Routing

Incoming/outgoing mailIncoming/outgoing mail

Incoming/outgoing mailIncoming/outgoing mail

TheInternet

Faculty Server

User DesktopsUser Desktops

Student Server

Current RoutingCurrent Routing

TheInternet

Faculty Server

User Desktops User Desktops

Student Server

Mail Gateway(virus cleaning and spam intercept)

Incoming/outgoing e-mail Incoming/outgoing e-mail

Incoming/outgoing e-mail

Incoming/outgoing e-mailIncoming/outgoing e-mail

New RoutingNew Routing

TheInternet

Faculty Server

User Desktops User Desktops

Student Server

Mail Gateway(virus cleaning and spam intercept)

Incoming e-mail

Incoming/outgoing e-mail

Incoming e-mailIncoming e-mail

Incoming Mail

Outgoing EmailOutgoing Email

User InterfacesUser Interfaces

• VMS Mail will no longer be an optionVMS Mail will no longer be an option• Text-based client access to be Text-based client access to be

determineddetermined• Netscape Messenger 4.7 – Netscape Messenger 4.7 –

recommend retiring due to security recommend retiring due to security flaw and instabilityflaw and instability

• Webmail – speed and service Webmail – speed and service enhancement, possible alternative enhancement, possible alternative clientclient

Passwords/Passwords/AuthenticationAuthentication

• E-Mail/LDAP (network password) mergeE-Mail/LDAP (network password) merge• Expiration Rules – To Be Determined Expiration Rules – To Be Determined

(TBD)(TBD)• Evasive Action Behavior – TBDEvasive Action Behavior – TBD• Reset Rules (Local) – TBDReset Rules (Local) – TBD• Remote Reset (faculty/students abroad, Remote Reset (faculty/students abroad,

distance learners, etc.) – TBDdistance learners, etc.) – TBD• Encrypted Storage – By defaultEncrypted Storage – By default• Encrypted Transmission – Optional by Encrypted Transmission – Optional by

serviceservice

@ALL List @ALL List Behavior/ManagementBehavior/Management

• An opportunity, not a requirementAn opportunity, not a requirement• Needs more discussionNeeds more discussion• Some feedback on dissatisfaction Some feedback on dissatisfaction

with volume and content of @ALLswith volume and content of @ALLs• Opt-in vs. Opt-out methodologyOpt-in vs. Opt-out methodology

Migration OptionsMigration Options

• CutoverCutover - Users would all be moved to - Users would all be moved to the new system en masse. New mail the new system en masse. New mail would immediately begin arriving on the would immediately begin arriving on the new system, while mail from the previous new system, while mail from the previous system would be moved (by technical system would be moved (by technical staff) at the same time or shortly after.staff) at the same time or shortly after.

• Guided ConversionGuided Conversion - The Helpdesk - The Helpdesk arranges for groups of individuals, arranges for groups of individuals, departments, or whole buildings to move departments, or whole buildings to move on a given date or within a given time on a given date or within a given time frame.frame.

Migration Options Migration Options (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Do-It-Yourself (DIY)Do-It-Yourself (DIY) - Users are - Users are given the tools to migrate their mail given the tools to migrate their mail as they wish. as they wish.

• Cut Over/DIYCut Over/DIY – Cut over to new – Cut over to new system but leave mail on old system system but leave mail on old system and give users a web page to move and give users a web page to move as they wish.as they wish.

Migration Questions?Migration Questions?

• When is the best time to do it? When is the best time to do it? During the semester? During an During the semester? During an intersession?intersession?

• What is a good balance of DIY and What is a good balance of DIY and technical service?technical service?

• Should users be asked to clean up old Should users be asked to clean up old mail before migration?mail before migration?

• What other opportunities present What other opportunities present themselves?themselves?

Migration IssuesMigration Issues

• Timing in general…Timing in general…• VMS Mail interface useVMS Mail interface use• Disk spaceDisk space• System Performance (load)System Performance (load)• IMAP Folder names – some may IMAP Folder names – some may

change to all upper casechange to all upper case

Migration Issues (cont’d)Migration Issues (cont’d)

• Handling subfoldersHandling subfolders• ““Replied To” flag not preservedReplied To” flag not preserved• Dangling Mail files on OpenVMSDangling Mail files on OpenVMS• Existing distribution (.DIS) files on Existing distribution (.DIS) files on

OpenVMSOpenVMS• Timing of password change/merge Timing of password change/merge

and notification to usersand notification to users

Migration SurveyMigration Survey

• Notice will be sent to all faculty staff Notice will be sent to all faculty staff usersusers

• Used to answer basic user Used to answer basic user preference questionspreference questions

• http://www.plattsburgh.edu/emailsurhttp://www.plattsburgh.edu/emailsurvey/vey/

• Log in with LDAP/network passwordLog in with LDAP/network password

More Migration InfoMore Migration Info

• http://www.plattsburgh.edu/technolohttp://www.plattsburgh.edu/technology/email/gy/email/

• http://lists.plattsburgh.edu/mailman/http://lists.plattsburgh.edu/mailman/listinfo/e-migratelistinfo/e-migrate

Future Opportunities…Future Opportunities…

• Better SPAM controlBetter SPAM control• Workgroup features – calendaring, Workgroup features – calendaring,

etc. to serve an educational or etc. to serve an educational or “business” function“business” function

• Integration with other servicesIntegration with other services

Questions/Comments?Questions/Comments?