Obtaining zimbra user command line access in the ZCA

Running our Appliance (ZCA), ZCS on VMware, or any other virtual machine software? Post your thoughts here.
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zelthian
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2014 1:42 am

Obtaining zimbra user command line access in the ZCA

Post by zelthian »

Note: I used the .vmx version of the Zimbra Appliance in VMware Fusion. I assume you have the appliance up and running before you try this.
Prep: Enable ssh access
1) Log into the console as the vmware user

2) Type: sudo ufw disable

3) Type in the vmware user password when prompted

4) edit the /var/lib/ufw/user.rules file (using sudo), adding a line under "### RULES ###" identical to the other lines but indicating port 22

5) Once the file is saved, type: sudo ufw enable

6) Log out of the console


Getting access to the zimbra user
1) SSH to the zimbra server (or log into the console) as the vmware user

2) Type: sudo passwd zimbra

3) Type in the vmware user password when prompted

4) Type in the password you want for the zimbra user (prompted twice)

5) You can now use "su - zimbra" to get command line access to the zimbra user


This will allow you to configure the zimbra appliance for functions that aren't available in the gui and require the command line tools (run as the zimbra user) to configure. What you are doing is allowing tcp port 22 (ssh) in UFW (Uncomplicated FireWall), then using the passwd command with sudo to reset the zimbra user password. Don't just use "sudo ufw allow 22"; this will overwrite the user.rules file (for some reason) and when you reboot, only port 22 will be open.
foodandbikes
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2014 2:04 am

Obtaining zimbra user command line access in the ZCA

Post by foodandbikes »

This post is a GOLD NUGGET!
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