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Novell GroupWise platform is provisioned in large organizations where demands for efficient email communication services are raised. It is a highly rich email messaging tool that can be deployed on Windows as well as Linux Operating Systems. Apart from providing email services, Novell GroupWise also offer collaborative services, such as the instant messaging app, calendar management, personal information management, etc. Furthermore, you can also access GroupWise mailboxes and other information using Web-access or handheld devices.
Counting the unending features of the Novell GroupWise application, one might deploy and run this email platform on their organization. But, as we approach other aspects of this Novell GroupWise email platform, and compare it with the Microsoft Exchange Server email platform, the MS Exchange Server offers remarkable and more user-friendly features.
Microsoft Exchange Server is an efficient mail server that also facilitates the management of several other collaborative services, such as calendars, contacts, appointments, etc. It is much secure and simpler than Novell GroupWise and runs efficiently on the Active Directory database.
Despite all this, at times company is faced with a situation where the scenario of technology migration arrives because of any distinct reasons, such as:
- Companies decision to shift from Novell GroupWise to Exchange Server
- Financial constraints leading to adopt an inexpensive MS Exchange Server
- Urgent requirement of a client which necessitates the deployment of Exchange Server
Contrasting differences between Novell GroupWise & MS exchange server
If you are planning to migrate your Novell GroupWise-based mailboxes to the MS Exchange Server platform, then you must perform adequate research on the features and functionalities of both email applications. Just have a look at the tabular data to get an idea of key differences that exists between them:
| Features | Microsoft Exchange Server | Novell GroupWise |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows | Linux, Open Enterprise Server, and Windows |
| Virtualization | CPU 2:1 over-commitment | Support for multi-environment |
| Directory or Database | Active Directory | Active Directory, eDirectory, and no directory |
| Server-side LDAP Authentication | Active Directory or LDAP integration | Available |
| Contact Management | Available | Available |
After looking at some of the significant comparisons between MS Exchange Server and Novell GroupWise Server, one might be thinking to run both the technologies simultaneously in a single IT infrastructure base to get ultimate benefits from both kinds of email servers. Those who have thought of running both the applications rather than initiating the migration of GroupWise to Exchange can execute it so with the utilization of Novell GroupWise co-existence functionality. Let’s look at the configurations and technicalities involved in the Novell GroupWise and Exchange Server co-existence solution.
Deploying co-existence scenario for Novell GroupWise & MS exchange server
GroupWise and Exchange co-existence implementation allows the user to access any of the mail servers for utilizing email and other collaborative services. To configure and deploy such dynamic and compatible functionality, you need to configure the two most important components included in the GroupWise 2012 SP2 (users need to upgrade existing versions), which are explained in the following key points:
- Address Book Synchronization: To facilitate the flawless email exchange in the co-existence solution, the Address Book synchronization is the first step to maintain the mutual database of email user accounts. You need to synchronize the Exchange Server Global Address List (GAL) and GroupWise Address Book to facilitate the send/receive of emails between the users of different email server platforms without any interruptions.
- GroupWise Free/Busy Service: This service must be configured to offer a user effective appointment management services irrespective of their email server platforms. In order to exchange the crucial appointment information between two email platforms, GroupWise uses Internet Free/Busy URLs. Hence, the users of GroupWise can use the GroupWise Busy Search feature to check the Exchange user’s appointments and Exchange Server users can access Outlook Scheduling Assistant to confirm the appointments of GroupWise users.
Note: The Address Book Synchronization code is a section of Message Transfer Agent (MTA) and the GroupWise Free/Busy capability is built into the GroupWise Windows and Web Access Client.
Apart from configurations of two basic components of the GroupWise/Exchange co-existence solution, you can also configure and synchronize messaging and calendaring applications. However, the implementation of the GroupWise & Exchange co-existence environment leads to several incompatibilities and intricacies, which can only be resolved by shifting to a single email platform service. Adding to that, organizations that are interested in deploying the MS Exchange Server setup need to go beyond the co-existence solutions for provisioning the Outlook mailboxes. But, to carry out the quick and secure GroupWise to Exchange migration, experts always recommend taking the help of a third-party email migration software.
Solution: Kernel for Novell GroupWise to exchange migration
Kernel for Novell GroupWise to Exchange is the solution for all needy organizations that are planning to export all the GroupWise mail items to the Exchange Server mailboxes. The software is equipped with logical algorithms that drive the conversion of GroupWise email items like contacts, appointments, drafts, trash items, emails, calendars, etc., to the Exchange mailboxes. Furthermore, this outstanding email migration utility allows you to save output files in either Outlook PST format or live Exchange Server through the user-friendly software interface. It supports all Exchange Server and GroupWise versions for migration. You can get complete information about the tool and the trial version from its official website.
Summary
From this blog, we have learned the importance of two email data management platforms – Novell GroupWise and Exchange Server, feature comparisons, Co-existence of both platforms deployment scenario in detail, chances of failure of co-existence, challenges included the need for migration from Novell GroupWise to Exchange Server and in the end, the introduction of a simple, robust and automated Novell GroupWise to Exchange Server software.