Rackspace Email to Open-Xchange Migration FAQ

This page will be kept up to date with Frequently Asked Questions about the transformation of Rackspace Email as we migrate to a newer, bigger, and better email solution leveraging our partnership with Open-Xchange (OX).

OX is the leader in open mail platforms, and OX App Suite is THE definitive business-class email suite. This partnership joins the simplicity, affordability, and Support that have always been the focus of Rackspace Email with the feature rich and intuitive user experience provided by OX App Suite.

Bookmark this page and watch it regularly throughout the year for updated FAQs about the migration

Who is Open-Xchange?

Open-Xchange was founded in 2005 and has grown to be the leader in open email platforms. They have a proven track record delivering user-friendly and secure email and collaboration software. Hundreds of millions of users worldwide use Open-Xchange products at home or work. Rackspace has been partnered with Open-Xchange for several years. This represents a deeper partnership to deliver a richer experience to Rackspace Email users.

What is App Suite?

Open-xChange's email, communication, and collaboration platform is designed for service providers. It delivers a wide range of easy-to-use cloud‐based services for small business users, including secure email, personal and team organization, cloud storage, and online office features.

Will I still be a Rackspace Customer?

Yes, Rackspace will continue to provide the same service and support you receive today.

Will Rackspace Email cost change after the migration?

No, the price you pay will remain the same.

What features are you updating?

The following features are changing:

• The maximum forward address limit will change to 4 (Currently 15)

• Folder cleanup:

  • Starting August 2022 we will start implementing the new folder clean up settings.

  • The new setting for spam/trash is 30 days. You will not be able to change this setting.

  • The settings for "total messages" will be removed.

  • The settings for inbox, draft, and sent folders will be removed.

    Deployment Plan:

    • (August 2022) The new spam/trash settings will be applied to all new domains/mailboxes.
    • (August 2022) New logic will prevent exceeding the 30 day limit on existing domains/mailboxes.
    • (August 2022) Apply the new spam/trash limits to all the domains/mailboxes that are under the 30 day limit. Once the new settings are applied you will not be able to change them.
    • (March 2023) Change the spam/trash settings for all the domains/mailboxes that are over the 30 day limit. Note: The Admin was notified before this change (via ticket) if the account has mailboxes with spam/trash folders over the 30 day limit.

• Allow/Block Lists:

  • Domain level configured via Control Panel:
    • Originally we planned on removing the Administrators ability to configure the domain level allow/blocklist via the Control Panel. We took your feedback into consideration and found a way to keep this feature.
  • Mailbox level:
  • Limits of 250 entries will be applied to the Safelist and Blocklist independently.
  • IP addresses will no longer be a valid list entry on the Safelist or Blocklist.

• Mobilesync: Will be replaced by support for open standards (Caldav, Carddav, IMAP,etc...)

• Webmail sites: May require DNS updates. Details will be communicated in advance of the change.

The following features are being removed:

• Split domain routing (SDR):

  • Starting April 2022, new configurations will not be available.
  • If SDR is configured for a domain, it will remain until you disable it, or we start routing mail through the new infrastructure.
  • SDR will be removed for all domains when we start routing mail through the new infrastructure.

• Domain catch-all

  • Starting April 2022, new configurations will not be available.
  • If a catch-all is configured for a domain, it will remain until you disable it, or we start routing mail through the new infrastructure.
  • Catch-all will be removed for all domains when we start routing mail through the new infrastructure.

• Webmail identities

  • Starting June 2022, new configurations will not be available.
  • If an identity is configured it will remain.
  • Webmail identities will be removed from all mailboxes when we start routing mail through the new infrastructure.

• BCC archiving

  • Starting April 2022, new configurations will not be available.
  • If BCC is configured for a domain, it will remain until you disable it, or we start routing mail through the new infrastructure.
  • BCC will be removed for all domains when we start routing mail through the new infrastructure.

• Spam Settings

  • Starting April 2023, Administrators will no longer be able to set spam settings.
    • The “Off” and “Exclusive” Spam Filtering options will no longer be available.
    • All inbound mail will be scaned. Anything that is classified as spam will be delivered to the Spam Folder.

• Admin Reply/Forward Control

  • Starting May 2022, Administrators will no longer have access to configure Out of Office auto-reply or mail forwarding via the Control Panel.

What about Rackspace Email Plus?

Rackspace Email Plus will continue to exist, and your files will be migrated with your mailbox.

Do I need to change my domains DNS settings (MX,SPF,DKIM)?

No, the settings for MX,SPF,and DKIM will remain the same.

Do I need to change the IMAP, POP, or SMTP server or port settings?

You will not need to change the settings if the client is configured to use SSL with the settings below. Refer to the Email Help Tool if you need instructions on how to configure clients.

The secure settings are:

• Secure IMAP: secure.emailsrvr.com (Port 993)
• Secure POP: secure.emailsrvr.com (Port 995)
• Secure SMTP: secure.emailsrvr.com (Ports 465 or 587)

Will the URL I use to access Rackspace Email change?

No, the URL will not change.

Will the mailbox size change?

No, the mailbox size will remain 25 GB.

Will the Rackspace Email API's change?

No, the API's will not change.

Is there an alternative for BCC archiving?

Yes, you can use Rackspace Email Archiving.

What is the timeline for this platform upgrade?

• November 2022: New customers provisioned in Open-Xchange (OX).
• Febuary/March 2024: Start the Migration of Rackspace Email users to a newer, bigger, and better business email solution.

Will I be notified before the migration?

Yes, we will notify you via ticket before your mailboxes are migrated.