Connectux an open source groupware application developed in Netherlands is now commonly known as Zarafa. The application allows email storage on the Server side and brings its Ajax based mail client called as Web Access. The Zarafa was developed with an intention to act as a replacement of Exchange Server, it can be integrated MS Outlook emailing application. The integration with Outlook is possible if user have a proper client side plug-in which act as a connector. Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zarafa_(software)
Zarafa offers sharing solutions which allows user to share data from web based application interface and MS Outlook. The main advantage of the software is that it can be accessed from both Linux and Windows. It is the only utility which stores the information in open SQL database and the WebAccess is supported by many web browsers. In standard situation user is never allowed to directly access the Server application, but he is sends request for information which is further acknowledged by the Server.
But while using Zarafa Server user can access data in Outlook even if he is accessing from different location also through WebAccess one can even see the folders of other users. Zarafa is an open source application which uses open source SQL database. The database has large number of group of tables which holds information of the records. Few of the tables are known as Properties, Users, Hierarchy, Outgoingqueue, Usergroup, Large objects (LOB) and etc.
We all know that all sort of communications and information are stored in Server database. In normal or casual environment most of the data is not important but in Business environment we never know which data can be asked for, hence almost every transaction is very important. So the database becomes bulky in very few days due to heavy information sharing on the server of any organization. So it becomes mandatory for the admin to backup the data and make space for further information.
The Zarafa used InnoDB as the storage engine, it stores data in two formats known as .frm and .ibadata. The minute corruption of these files can disallow user to further access Zarafa database. The backup process is also important as there are number of chances by which the database of the Server gets corrupted. Lets us take an overview of the circumstances which can corrupt or harm the database of the Server:
- The Dirty Shut down of the Server can damage the in-process as well as the database files.
- The corruption of .frm and the .ibdata files can cause problem for the user.
- Weak connectivity between the Server and client application can also damage the file.
- Malfunctioning of system hardware and software can also result in corruption of files.
- Virus or Trojan attacks are the most common reason for the corruption.
However in today’s environment there are many solutions available by which user can tackle the file corruption issue. In case of Zarafa database corruption user can make use of third party recovery tool to Zarafa database repair tool. Stellar Phoenix Zarafa recovery is a third party solution which can help the user in Zarafa database recovery.