Axigen — Mail Server with Calendars and Contacts Built In
General Information
Axigen isn’t new on the scene — it has been around since the mid-2000s and still shows up when companies want something heavier than Postfix but lighter than Exchange. It runs on Linux, bundles its own mail engine, and adds groupware on top: calendars, contacts, shared tasks. For admins, the attraction is that it comes in one piece — no stitching together half a dozen open-source tools.
A lot of service providers and mid-size enterprises pick it because it scales well, keeps security up front, and saves time on day-to-day maintenance. End users just see modern webmail that works on any browser or phone.
How It Works
Axigen installs like a regular service on a Linux box. Its own SMTP/IMAP/POP3 stack moves the mail, while ActiveSync handles mobile sync and CalDAV/CardDAV keep calendars and contacts aligned. The webmail client is responsive and feels more polished than the usual barebones web UIs.
Admins spend most of their time in the central console: adding users, setting quotas, watching queues, or checking logs. For bigger shops, it plugs into LDAP/Active Directory so accounts are managed centrally. On the security side it does what you expect — TLS, DKIM/SPF/DMARC, spam filtering, antivirus hooks — nothing exotic, just the standards done properly.
Functions
Feature | In practice
—|—
Deployment | Linux server package, scales from SMB to ISP setups
Mail protocols | SMTP, IMAP, POP3 plus ActiveSync for mobile
Groupware | Shared calendars, contacts, tasks, meeting invites
Webmail | HTML5 interface with search, filters, drag-and-drop
Directory support | LDAP/AD integration for SSO and provisioning
Security | TLS, DKIM, SPF, DMARC, anti-spam, antivirus, admin roles
Multi-tenant | Separate domains with branding and policies for hosting providers
Admin console | Central UI with user/domain controls, quotas, logs
Automation | SOAP/REST APIs for provisioning and monitoring
Licensing | Commercial subscription, vendor support
Installation Guide
1. Spin up a Linux server (CentOS, RHEL, Ubuntu, Debian all fine).
2. Install the .rpm or .deb from Axigen’s portal.
3. Run the setup wizard — set hostname, admin password, storage path.
4. Add DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
5. Hook into LDAP/AD if needed.
6. Turn on TLS, configure spam/AV engines.
7. Create a test domain and pilot accounts.
8. Check webmail, Outlook/Thunderbird, and mobile sync before go-live.
Everyday Use
– ISPs roll it out for hosting many customer domains with clean separation.
– Enterprises deploy on-prem when compliance rules make SaaS tricky.
– Public sector and schools pick it because it’s cheaper than Exchange but still offers calendars and contacts.
– Mixed environments rely on it when staff use everything from Outlook on Windows to Apple Mail on macOS to Android clients.
Admins usually deal with password resets, spam reports, and an occasional DKIM key rotation. Users just log in, schedule meetings, and move on.
Limitations
Axigen isn’t free — licenses and support contracts are part of the deal. Compared with Exchange or Google Workspace, it has fewer integrations with third-party SaaS apps. On the flip side, compared with a DIY Postfix + Dovecot stack, it saves a lot of integration headaches but gives less flexibility for custom setups.
Comparison
Tool | Platforms | Strengths | Best Fit
—|—|—|—
Axigen | Linux server | Integrated mail + groupware, multi-tenant | Enterprises, ISPs, schools
Zimbra | Multi-platform | Open-source base, strong community | SMBs, education
Kerio | Win/Linux/mac | Easy setup, Outlook integration | Small corporate IT
Exchange | Windows/M365 | Deep ecosystem, enterprise features | Corporations in Microsoft stack
IceWarp | Win/Linux | Broad collab apps beyond email | Orgs wanting “one vendor for all”
Field Notes
Admins running Axigen usually stress that it’s predictable once in production. Watch outbound limits to stop spam runs, rotate DKIM keys regularly, and test upgrades on a pilot domain first. That’s less about Axigen itself and more about how to keep any mail platform healthy.