Below are some instructions about how to configure your client mail programs with Zimbra.
Using Desktop Clients for Email
Although convenient, it is not required that you use Zimbra's web interface to check your email. You may decide to use an alternative client which offers a different feature set. Zimbra provides a fully compliant IMAP server for these situations. You can check your CIS email using any IMAP client.
To do so, configure your client with the following settings:
• IMAP Server: zimbra.cis.uab.edu
• Use SSL to connect (port 993 - most clients automatically fill in the port when you select SSL)
In addition, you'll need to enter settings for your outgoing mail server:
• SMTP Server: crier.cis.uab.edu
• SMTP Server Port: 10026
• SMTP Use a username and password
• SMTP Use TLS for connection
Note, do NOT use SMTP Secure Authentication if that is an option in your client. Don't worry, the SMTP traffic is still encrypted by virtue of using TLS for the connection.
Best Practices and Support for IMAP Email Clients
CIS IT cannot provide support for all possible IMAP clients. However, the staff is reasonably familiar with Thunderbird, Mac Mail and Outlook. If you are looking to switch to a desktop email client, it is recommended that you use one of these choices.
It is recommended that you do not enable client-side email or junk filters. It is advised that you allow Zimbra to perform these roles on the server side, to allow for consistent email experience across clients.
Note that each client may have strengths and weaknesses. For example, the mail search experience may differ significantly across these products. This is not something that can be addressed within Zimbra. When using a desktop email client, Zimbra's only role is as the IMAP server.
Note that you are also encouraged to use the Zimbra web interface for creating server-side email filters, rather than using the built-in filtering present in most desktop email clients.
Using Mobile Clients for Email
Zimbra provides many levels of support for mobile clients, including tight integration to various mobile OSes. However, we have a very small number of mobile users in the department, and at this time we are not formally offering tight integration with mobile devices (e.g. Blackberry Enterprise Server).
We recommend using your mobile device as an IMAP client to interface with your CIS mail (see the Using Desktop Clients for Email section above for IMAP instructions). Alternately, Zimbra has a fairly strong mobile web interface - simply point your mobile device's browser at https://zimbra.cis.uab.edu/ and select Mobile Interface from the interface choice dropdown on the login page.
