The Zimbra messaging system of the Strasbourg academy is based on a webmail portal accessible from any browser, but also configurable in IMAP/SMTP on a desktop client or a mobile device. Here we detail the technical points that pose the most difficulties for academy staff, from server configuration to account security.
IMAP and SMTP settings of the Strasbourg academy: server configuration
Connecting to Zimbra without going through the browser requires entering the correct server settings. Too many guides simply mention the webmail URL without addressing the configuration on a desktop client, which is precisely where connection errors occur.
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For incoming mail, the IMAP server is imap.ac-strasbourg.fr, port 993, with SSL/TLS encryption. The IMAP protocol synchronizes folders between the server and the client, meaning that an email deleted in Thunderbird also disappears from the Zimbra webmail.
For outgoing mail, the SMTP server is smtp.ac-strasbourg.fr. Two ports work: 465 (implicit SSL) and 587 (STARTTLS). We recommend port 587 with STARTTLS, which is better supported by recent clients and by the network configurations of educational institutions that sometimes filter port 465.
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On Outlook, Thunderbird, or the Mail app on a mobile device, the identifier to enter is the unique academic identifier (initial of the first name followed by the last name). The password corresponds to that of the academic portal. It is possible to access the Zimbra messaging system of Strasbourg via the webmail to verify that these identifiers work before entering them into a mail client.
Zimbra webmail connection Strasbourg: URL and strong authentication
Access via a browser remains the most direct method. The webmail URL is the one provided by the academy administration. After entering the identifier and password, the inbox appears with the classic Zimbra layout (folders, calendars, contacts).
The notable change in recent years concerns security. Recent academic documents emphasize the activation of strong two-factor authentication. This additional layer requires a temporary code (sent by SMS or generated by an app) in addition to the password.
In practice, if you have not yet activated it, the academic portal will prompt you to do so during your next login. Do not postpone this step: a compromised academic account exposes personal data of students and colleagues, not just your mailbox.
Vigilance against suspicious messages
The Strasbourg academy regularly reports phishing attempts targeting staff. An email asking to “confirm your credentials” by clicking on an external link never comes from the administration. The rule is simple: never enter your academic password on a site whose URL does not end with ac-strasbourg.fr.
Migration to ETNA: what changes for academic messaging in Strasbourg
The SNUipp 67 has announced that academic messaging now goes through the ETNA service. This migration changes the entry point for some staff, without removing Zimbra as the interface for reading and sending emails.
In practice, ETNA unifies authentication on a centralized portal. The user first logs into ETNA, then accesses their Zimbra messaging via a redirection. The IMAP and SMTP settings mentioned above remain valid, but the password may have been reset during the transition. If your mail client suddenly refuses the connection, this is the first point to check.
- First, test the connection via the webmail to confirm that your credentials are still active after the ETNA migration.
- Update the password stored in Thunderbird, Outlook, or your mobile app if the connection fails.
- Ensure that the “username” field contains your academic identifier (initial + last name) and not your full email address, as some clients automatically add the domain.
Setting up Zimbra on mobile with ActiveSync or IMAP
On a smartphone, two paths coexist. The ActiveSync protocol synchronizes mail, calendar, and contacts in a single configuration. This is the smoothest method if the academic server supports it. The IMAP/SMTP alternative still works, but only synchronizes emails: calendars and contacts remain accessible only via the webmail.
Specific settings depending on the system
On iOS, adding an Exchange account with the Zimbra server URL and academic credentials is sufficient in most cases. On Android, the Gmail app or a third-party app like Nine natively handles ActiveSync.
If synchronization fails, we recommend switching to a manual IMAP configuration using the server settings detailed above. One often overlooked point: the “Sent” folder must be mapped manually in the IMAP settings of the mobile client, otherwise emails sent from the phone will not appear in the webmail.
- ActiveSync: complete synchronization (mail, calendar, contacts) in one step.
- IMAP: email synchronization only, manual folder configuration required.
- Remember to enable push notifications instead of periodic polling to save battery while remaining responsive.
One last technical point deserves attention. If you are using an academic VPN or a filtered institutional network, some SMTP ports may be blocked. In this case, sending emails will fail from the desktop client while receiving works. Switch to port 587 or temporarily use the webmail to bypass this network restriction.