How do I move Merak to a new server?

The following steps outline the process of moving your Merak Email Server to a new server:

  1. Backup your configuration
  2. Backup all messages
  3. Backup any Webmail folders
  4. Install Merak on the new server
  5. Restore your configuration on the new server
  6. Retrieve your license for the new server
  7. Restore messages on the new server
  8. Restore Webmail folders on the new server

Before you start you should have the following information to hand

  • the location(s) of all your Users' mailbox folders
  • the location(s) of all your Users' WebMail folders
  • Your original purchase OrderID

1. Backup the configuration on your original server

To backup the configuration, use the Backup Configuration option in the File menu:

Config - Menu - File

A file with an .mcb extension is created.

Warning - Do not create it in Config folder. The created file is a compressed Config folder and it could cause a loop and affect the Mail Server functionality.

The following folders are included in the .mcb file:

  • Config folder All Server settings without the licence information)
  • Webmail\Config folder All Webmail settings)
  • Calendar folder (the Calendar/GroupWare settings including the Database with entries – tasks, notes, events and contacts)
  • Spam folder (the Instant AntiSpam settings including the Database with indexed words)

The Spam folder was added to the backup file since version 6.0.2 and the Calendar folder was added since version 7.0.1 so only administrators with these features and lower versions (possible only with beta versions) have to backup these folders manually.

2. Backup the messages on your original server

All the user's Inboxes are stored in the Merak\Mail folder by default.

However, you may have changed the settings in System –> Storage -> Directories –> Mail path option

Directories Tab

or you may have specified Domain Level Storage Folders.

You should backup all of these folders.

3. Backup your Users' Webmail folders

WebMail folders are stored in the Webmail\Users folder by default.

However, you may have change this in Webmail – Settings – Administrator Settings

Users Path Location Option

You should back up the folder as necessary

4. Install Merak on the new server

Download the latest version of MerakEmail Srver from www.icewarp.com/download/ and install it on your new server.

5. Restore the configuration on the new server

Use the Restore Configuration option in File menu to restore your configuration from the .mcb file created in step 1.

Config - Menu - File

6. Retrieve your license for the new server

Your new machine will have new server reference key (it is machine specific). The server reference key can be found in Help -> Licenses in the Administration Console.

You can retrieve your license for the new server reference key at http://www.icewarp.com/purchase/order/index.html

  • select Request License
  • enter your OrderID
  • enter your new server reference key
  • press the submit button

The on-line retrieval system can be used a limited number of times per year (to help prevent fraud).

If you have any problems you should contact the Merak Support Team

7. Restore messages on the new server

Copy the Mail folders you backed up in step 2 to the same directory on the new Server.

8. Restore Webmail folders for users on the new server

Copy the WebMail folders you backed up in step 3to the same directory on the new Server.

And you are finished.