Kolab

Kolab is a free groupware solution. It consists of the Kolab server and related interface implementations in a wide range of available Kolab clients.

This Kolab is based on the software and the concepts that have been defined by the Kroupware Contract and the Kolab format.

Kolab was developed in the years 2002-2004 as a commission for the German Federal Office for Security in Information Technology and is employed there in a heterogeneous environment.

Basic Concepts

The special Kolab is based on the idea to use an IMAP server not only for e -mail, but also for address book (contacts) and calendar (appointments). These entries are stored in special IMAP folders; the IMAP server manages access rights ( ACLs), and the client synchronization, also jointly and simultaneously used by multiple clients and users IMAP folders. The configuration and management of a Kolab server is largely using LDAP.

Kolab clients and servers use well-established standards, inter alia, vCard, iCal, XML, and as already mentioned, IMAP, and LDAP. This set of standards for protocols and formats, which is specified in the open Kolab format, it allows (in whole or implemented only in part) different PIM applications to exchange Groupware-/PIM-Daten to serve.

The concepts on which is based Kolab are, for Kolab 2 detained in the Kolab Format Specification and the Architecture Paper, as well as for Kolab 1 in Kroupware Contract, Paper Architecture and Technical Description.

Key Features

  • OpenLDAP for user management
  • Cyrus as a server for IMAP and POP
  • SASL for authentication
  • Postfix as a mail transfer agent
  • OpenSSL for Transport Layer Security
  • Apache, inter alia, to web-based server management
  • Due to the open Kolab format each PIM client can ( " Personal Information Management " application program ) can be expanded into a full Kolab client
  • Full offline capability, hence good usability without permanent connection to the Kolab server (eg for mobile clients ) and reliability of the clients for network problems or server failure
  • Simultaneous access to different platforms, such as Outlook (Windows), Kontact (Linux), web browser ( any platform)
  • Support for client-side OpenPGP and S / MIME e- mail encryption
  • Integrated Spam and Virus filter by amavis -new; SpamAssassin and ClamAV are included, others are easy to integrate
  • Standard backup methods (file-based and no database backup ) of user data and group data because each e- mail, appointment, contact, task, note is a single file
  • Configuration data is located in an LDAP directory
  • Global address book via LDAP
  • Group contact folder with IMAP ACLs
  • Personal contacts / addresses with release option
  • Group calendar with IMAP ACLs
  • Personal calendar with release option
  • Server-side resource management ( meeting rooms, cars, etc.)
  • Support representative and regulations of office notifications
  • Frei-/Belegt-Listen and advanced Frei-/Belegt-Listen
  • Multiple Locations (slave servers ) possible with narrowband connections
  • Cluster capability with OpenLDAP proxy and distributed mailboxes

Kolab clients

  • Reference client is Kontact from KDE Software Compilation 4
  • Support for Microsoft Outlook with proprietary plug-ins: Bynari InsightConnector
  • Konsec connector
  • Toltec Connector
  • Kolab Sync for Outlook: kolab- outlook
  • Horde web frontend is part of Kolab V2.2.x and V2.3.x
  • The built- in Kolab V2.2.x and V2.3.x Horde also provides a SyncML interface for the exchange of PIM data.
  • Syncphony (originally " kolab- sync" ) works as a connector between Kolab and a Funambol Sync Server, and thus allows all devices supported by Funambol with a Kolab server to exchange PIM data.
Software maintainer Access Control List Cyrus IMAP server Internet Message Access Protocol Simple Authentication and Security Layer Postfix (software) Message transfer agent Pretty Good Privacy#OpenPGP Clam AntiVirus Mozilla Thunderbird Roundcube Horde (software) Webservice ActiveSync Android (operating system)
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