1. What you need before installing

      • Clean Linux server — Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 LTS is a common choice
      • Resources — at least 8 GB RAM (16 GB better), 4 CPU cores, 25 GB+ free disk
      • Root/SSH access — you will install packages and change system settings
      • Domain + public IP — example hostname: mail.yourdomain.com
      • DNS ready — A record for mail.yourdomain.com and MX record pointing to it
      • Open ports — 25, 80, 110, 143, 443, 465, 587, 993, 995, 7071 (as needed)

2. Prepare DNS

      • Create an A record: mail.yourdomain.com → your server IP
      • Create an MX record: yourdomain.com → mail.yourdomain.com (priority 10)
      • Add SPF (TXT) later for better sending reputation
      • Wait for DNS to propagate before finishing install checks

3. Prepare the Ubuntu server

      • Update packages: apt update && apt -y upgrade
      • Set hostname: hostnamectl set-hostname mail.yourdomain.com
      • Edit /etc/hosts so the FQDN resolves to the server IP
      • Disable conflicting services if present (example: default Postfix, systemd-resolved conflicts with Zimbra DNS)
      • Reboot once after hostname/DNS prep if needed

4. Download and run the Zimbra installer

      • Download the matching Zimbra package for your Ubuntu version from the official Zimbra download/docs pages
      • Extract the archive (tar xzf ...)
      • Enter the extracted folder and run: ./install.sh as root
      • Accept the license agreement when prompted
      • Use Zimbra package repository when asked (usually Yes)

5. Choose packages (single-server example)

      • Install core packages such as ldap, logger, mta, store, snmp, spell
      • Install proxy/memcached if you want IMAP/POP proxy
      • Skip DNS cache package if you already manage DNS elsewhere (often No)
      • Confirm and let the installer download/install selected packages

6. Complete configuration

      • Confirm domain name when prompted
      • Set a strong admin password
      • Review store/MTA settings if shown
      • Apply configuration and wait for services to start
      • Admin console is commonly on https://mail.yourdomain.com:7071
      • Webmail is commonly on https://mail.yourdomain.com

7. After install checklist

      • Create a test mailbox user
      • Send/receive a test message
      • Install a real SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt) for production
      • Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for your domain
      • Set up backups before adding many users

8. Common problems

      • Hostname / MX errors — fix DNS and /etc/hosts, then retry
      • Port 25 blocked — many cloud providers block outbound 25 by default; request unblock
      • Low memory — Zimbra is heavy; upgrade RAM if install fails or services crash
      • Port conflicts — remove other mail/web stacks from the same clean server

9. How this relates to campaigns

Zimbra gives you mailboxes and a mail server. If you also run outbound campaigns, use a mailer such as Px Mailer for SMTP rotation, personalization, attachments, and campaign tracking — while Zimbra (or another SMTP path) handles message transport. Get Px Mailer: https://pxtoolx.com Note: Always follow the latest official Zimbra docs for your exact version and OS. Commands and package names can change.