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R E V I E W

The Great Pretenders: MAPI Connectors To Trick Your Outlook

July 24, 2003
By Ron Anderson

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SuSE Linux Openexchange Server (SLOX)

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	In this article
	Introduction
	Stalker Software CommuniGate Pro
	SuSE Linux Openexchange Server (SLOX)
	Executive Summary
	Beta Adds Calendar, Contacts
	Web Links

SLOX is an integrated set of open-source products comprising Postfix, Cyrus IMAP, Apache, OpenLDAP, SpamAssassin and Linux kernel 2.4.19. The folks at SuSE have wrapped these separate products into a cohesive whole that includes a unified, browser-based administrative interface. In addition to offering standards-based e-mail via POP, IMAP and the Web, SLOX boasts a number of Web-accessible groupware features, including group scheduling, discussion forums, and task and project management. It also has a rudimentary document-management and knowledge-management system.

SuSE Linux Openexchange Server

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Because your Outlook users aren't using MAPI, they will not have the kind of functionality they'd have if they were using an Exchange server. SLOX's Outlook replication works in batch mode rather than in real-time. Real-time communication between Outlook and the Exchange replacement server is the key to up-to-the minute server-based storage of your data as well as such online activities as free/busy schedule checking when arranging a group meeting. Using replication technology, when you create a meeting in Outlook, it won't be reflected in your server store until your data replicates in batch mode and visa versa when using SLOX's browser access. Replication can be set to run on a schedule automatically or you can run a replication session manually. We tested both methods, and SuSE's replicator works fine. SLOX users also won't be able to access shared folders via the standard Outlook mechanisms. SuSE's Outlook connector promises all the missing functionality, but we'll have to wait until the end of the year to see if the company delivers on that promise.

SuSE Linux Openexchange Server (SLOX), starting at $1,249, SuSE Linux. www.suse.com

Ron Anderson is Network Computing's lab director. Before joining the staff, he managed IT in various capacities at Syracuse University and for the Veteran's Administration. Write to him at randerson@nwc.com.

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