Hi
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work that plays and have a small bit of understanding of how Linux work. So, I am on a research spree. I have already had a look at the following sites:
The Linux document project How to forge Flurdy.com
I do not ask for step by step instructions, although it will be nice, however I ask that you guys will point me to resources on the internet that may help me in this regard.
Thank you very much
Regards Leon
On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM, Leon Vergottini leon.vergottini@gmail.com wrote:
Hi
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work that plays and have a small bit of understanding of how Linux work. So, I am on a research spree. I have already had a look at the following sites:
The Linux document project How to forge Flurdy.com
I do not ask for step by step instructions, although it will be nice, however I ask that you guys will point me to resources on the internet that may help me in this regard.
Thank you very much
Regards Leon
If your intention is only for a dedicated email server, I would highly recommend CentOS 5.2. CentOS is intended for enterprise, it is reliable, stable and has a very long support cycle.
http://www.centos.org http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos#head-49a3d6a9a0c95cff0676b0209eae985780e41678 http://www.centos.org/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=41 http://www.linuxmail.info/mail-server-setup-centos-5/
There are many other resources on the web using CentOS for all sorts of server related functions.
-Mauriat
Around 05:04pm on Sunday, December 14, 2008 (UK time), Leon Vergottini scrawled:
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work
I don't know if you are intending to use Fedora as the server. If you are I would advise against it because of the frequency of upgrades you will need to do to keep up with security updates.
If you are familiar with Fedora then I would advice a similar distro that does have a much longer supported lifetime, such as CentOS.
Steve
On Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:04:16 +0200 Leon Vergottini wrote:
I do not ask for step by step instructions, although it will be nice, however I ask that you guys will point me to resources on the internet that may help me in this regard.
(a) Use Centos, not Fedora, for this project.
(b) Complete step-by-step instructions can be found here: http://www.linuxhomenetworking.com/
Mauriat wrote:
On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM, Leon Vergottini leon.vergottini@gmail.com wrote:
Hi
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work that plays and have a small bit of understanding of how Linux work. So, I am on a research spree. I have already had a look at the following sites:
The Linux document project How to forge Flurdy.com
I do not ask for step by step instructions, although it will be nice, however I ask that you guys will point me to resources on the internet that may help me in this regard.
Thank you very much
Regards Leon
If your intention is only for a dedicated email server, I would highly recommend CentOS 5.2. CentOS is intended for enterprise, it is reliable, stable and has a very long support cycle.
http://www.centos.org http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos#head-49a3d6a9a0c95cff0676b0209eae985780e41678 http://www.centos.org/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=41 http://www.linuxmail.info/mail-server-setup-centos-5/
There are many other resources on the web using CentOS for all sorts of server related functions.
-Mauriat
I think you should use CentOS as well. Setting up an email server (and modifying the associated DNS) is not that hard all by itself. The hard part is you will need to cope with floods of spam emails some of which contain viruses. I recommend you virus check all incoming emails and quarantine and ultimately delete infected mails before they get to the recipients.
Bob Cochran
Leon Vergottini wrote:
Hi
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work that plays and have a small bit of understanding of how Linux work. So, I am on a research spree. I have already had a look at the following sites:
The Linux document project How to forge Flurdy.com
I do not ask for step by step instructions, although it will be nice, however I ask that you guys will point me to resources on the internet that may help me in this regard.
If you want something appliance-like where you just add users and everything works, look at SME server from http://wiki.contribs.org/Main_Page.
It is mostly based on Centos (as others have suggested for stability) but modified so all administration is through a simple web interface. It can also provide many other services but it would be reasonable to deploy strictly as a mail server if you want.
On Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:04:16 +0200 Leon Vergottini leon.vergottini@gmail.com wrote:
Hi
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work that plays and have a small bit of understanding of how Linux work. So, I am on a research spree. I have already had a look at the following sites:
a) CentOS, not Fedora
b) Postfix is probably the easiest MTA to configure.
c) The default imap/pop3 server (dovecot) is sufficient for up to a few hundred users.
d) Test, test and test again before you go live. Pay particular attention to preventing an open relay.
Hi there --
I have set up an e-mail server for the department that I work for using the following applications:
Sendmail MailScanner SpamAssassin ClamAV
The website that I went to for this configuration is www.mailscanner.info.
If you are in need of GUI for Linux administration, there is a web-based interface that may be Of help:
Webmin - www.webmin.com
-----Original Message----- From: fedora-list-bounces@redhat.com [mailto:fedora-list-bounces@redhat.com] On Behalf Of Leon Vergottini Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 12:04 PM To: fedora-list@redhat.com Subject: E-mail Server
Hi
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work that plays and have a small bit of understanding of how Linux work. So, I am on a research spree. I have already had a look at the following sites:
The Linux document project How to forge Flurdy.com
I do not ask for step by step instructions, although it will be nice, however I ask that you guys will point me to resources on the internet that may help me in this regard.
Thank you very much
Regards Leon
On 14/12/08 20:47, homburg@tips-Q.com wrote:
On Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:04:16 +0200
[...]
a) CentOS, not Fedora
agreed
b) Postfix is probably the easiest MTA to configure.
Also agreed, but he default postfix config shipped in Fedora, RHEL (and as a result almost certainly) CentOS is retarded... be careful with security settings. Most of the HOWTOs seem to cover this.
c) The default imap/pop3 server (dovecot) is sufficient for up to a few hundred users.
Is there any particular evidence you have to support this? AFAIK dovecot scales to 100,000+ users (at the very least)
d) Test, test and test again before you go live. Pay particular attention to preventing an open relay.
Stuart
On Sun, 2008-12-14 at 19:04 +0200, Leon Vergottini wrote:
Hi
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work that plays and have a small bit of understanding of how Linux work. So, I am on a research spree. I have already had a look at the following sites:
The Linux document project How to forge Flurdy.com
I do not ask for step by step instructions, although it will be nice, however I ask that you guys will point me to resources on the internet that may help me in this regard.
Thank you very much
Regards Leon
Leon,
Setting up a mail server is a great way to understand many aspects of the internet. I was elected in our firm to do the same thing. It took me two years and lots of study, but it was more than worthwhile.
Lots of others have given you advice and I concur with their advice to use Centos 5.2 ... very stable
I have used sendmail as the MTA It is easy to configure it to transfer mail to a 'smart host' from a desktop. It gets harder the more pieces of it you choose to use. Make sure you get the 'bat book' Sendmail!!!
In my opinion sendmail works much better when you use bind to have a local dns server. You can use sendmail without bind, but you have to deal with sendmail having difficulty being able to identify your internal machines from remote machine. One of the other posters has advised you to be careful of allowing unwanted relay privileges granted to outside machines. Make sure you study this subject well.
dovecot has been recommend and I have used it frequently with ease. I have not had the opportunity to install cyrus. Make sure you understand the difference between POP3 and IMAP.
procmail needs to be understood
spamassassin is great, and you will need to make sure you know how to use a spam filter.
clamav is better, and I have used it as a sendmail milter and within procmail. The milter works better.
My advice is for you to start with a small steps, and do not give up. You will feel like giving up but don't. Make sure you get the 'bat book'.
Good Luck!!!
Greg
On Thu, 25 Dec 2008 21:15:22 -0600 Gregory P. Ennis wrote:
I have used sendmail as the MTA It is easy to configure it to transfer mail to a 'smart host' from a desktop. It gets harder the more pieces of it you choose to use. Make sure you get the 'bat book' Sendmail!!!
Careful, anyone saying sendmail is easy to configure may find mental health workers closing in on them with a straight jacket :-).
I find postfix plenty confusing, but far simpler to deal with than sendmail.
On Thu, 2008-12-25 at 22:34 -0500, Tom Horsley wrote:
On Thu, 25 Dec 2008 21:15:22 -0600 Gregory P. Ennis wrote:
I have used sendmail as the MTA It is easy to configure it to transfer mail to a 'smart host' from a desktop. It gets harder the more pieces of it you choose to use. Make sure you get the 'bat book' Sendmail!!!
Careful, anyone saying sendmail is easy to configure may find mental health workers closing in on them with a straight jacket :-).
I find postfix plenty confusing, but far simpler to deal with than sendmail.
It did take me two years, and sometimes I needed a straight jacket for myself. I still don't pretend to know everything sendmail does, but it finally became easy to use. :)
I have not had the time or need to use postfix, but I hear it works without the use of pharmacological products for the mail administrator. You are probably right :)
Greg
On Thu, 25 Dec 2008 22:34:18 -0500 Tom Horsley tom.horsley@att.net wrote:
I find postfix plenty confusing, but far simpler to deal with than sendmail.
I agree. It's also far less expensive and faster.
Until you have to deal with Weitse and the mailing list group that is ;-) Sometimes is seems that the singular compelling purpose for the group's existence is to diminish the size of one's ego.
Gregory P. Ennis wrote:
On Sun, 2008-12-14 at 19:04 +0200, Leon Vergottini wrote:
Hi
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work that plays and have a small bit of understanding of how Linux work. So, I am on a research spree. I have already had a look at the following sites:
The Linux document project How to forge Flurdy.com
I do not ask for step by step instructions, although it will be nice, however I ask that you guys will point me to resources on the internet that may help me in this regard.
Thank you very much
Regards Leon
Leon,
Setting up a mail server is a great way to understand many aspects of the internet. I was elected in our firm to do the same thing. It took me two years and lots of study, but it was more than worthwhile.
Lots of others have given you advice and I concur with their advice to use Centos 5.2 ... very stable
I have used sendmail as the MTA It is easy to configure it to transfer mail to a 'smart host' from a desktop. It gets harder the more pieces of it you choose to use. Make sure you get the 'bat book' Sendmail!!!
In my opinion sendmail works much better when you use bind to have a local dns server. You can use sendmail without bind, but you have to deal with sendmail having difficulty being able to identify your internal machines from remote machine. One of the other posters has advised you to be careful of allowing unwanted relay privileges granted to outside machines. Make sure you study this subject well.
dovecot has been recommend and I have used it frequently with ease. I have not had the opportunity to install cyrus. Make sure you understand the difference between POP3 and IMAP.
procmail needs to be understood
spamassassin is great, and you will need to make sure you know how to use a spam filter.
clamav is better, and I have used it as a sendmail milter and within procmail. The milter works better.
My advice is for you to start with a small steps, and do not give up. You will feel like giving up but don't. Make sure you get the 'bat book'.
Good Luck!!!
Greg
Leon
I'd echo what Greg said.
I've used sendmail and postfix - sendmail was my first foray into email and served me very well. The bat book as pointed out is a must, it helps you understand how things fit together and was my reference when I started ~ 2000/2001. That mailserver was retired last year and postfix took it's place. Looking back on the past year there haven't really been any showstoppers. Mail goes into maildirs now which does help. There's an oreilly postfix book that I bought to give me a leg up on the changes. Dovecot works well for us from the client picking up email aspect. cacert.org also does free certificates which you might want to look into.
Whatever you choose it's well worth the effort for reliable mail services - I've never looked back since changing the Windows box all those years ago which was anything but reliable!
I did document out all the changes I made along the way. There was a couple of people on the RedHat lists that were good on email questions. I guess just ask specifics once you get going.
Bryan
On Fri, Dec 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM, Gregory P. Ennis PoMec@pomec.net wrote:
spamassassin is great, and you will need to make sure you know how to use a spam filter.
clamav is better, and I have used it as a sendmail milter and within procmail. The milter works better.
Clamav and spamassassin have different goals. There is some overlap, but it doesn't make sense to say that one is *better* than the other.
poc
On Sat, 2008-12-27 at 11:10 +1930, Patrick O'Callaghan wrote:
On Fri, Dec 26, 2008 at 10:45 PM, Gregory P. Ennis PoMec@pomec.net wrote:
spamassassin is great, and you will need to make sure you know how to use a spam filter.
clamav is better, and I have used it as a sendmail milter and within procmail. The milter works better.
Clamav and spamassassin have different goals. There is some overlap, but it doesn't make sense to say that one is *better* than the other.
poc
Poc,
Let me revise what I have said.
spamassassin is great, but is not a total solution to block spam; I have not found anything better to block spam.
clamav is also great, and is nearly a total solution to filter e-mails that are infested with virus.
spam filtering is a different problem and ends up being a bigger problem than virus filtering because the solution is not as complete.
Greg
Bryan Hepworth wrote:
Leon
I'd echo what Greg said.
I've used sendmail and postfix - sendmail was my first foray into email and served me very well. The bat book as pointed out is a must, it helps you understand how things fit together and was my reference when I started ~ 2000/2001. That mailserver was retired last year and postfix took it's place. Looking back on the past year there haven't really been any showstoppers. Mail goes into maildirs now which does help. There's an oreilly postfix book that I bought to give me a leg up on the changes. Dovecot works well for us from the client picking up email aspect. cacert.org also does free certificates which you might want to look into.
Whatever you choose it's well worth the effort for reliable mail services - I've never looked back since changing the Windows box all those years ago which was anything but reliable!
I did document out all the changes I made along the way. There was a couple of people on the RedHat lists that were good on email questions. I guess just ask specifics once you get going.
Bryan
Let me also chime in on recommending Postfix. Unless you are doing something really unusual, Postfix is going to do the job, and is much easier to configure. With the exception of minor changes, if you are going to configure Sendmail, figure on learning what amounts to another programming language. I just do not think it is worth the effort.
I used to be active on one of the Sendmail support lists, so I sort of know how to configure Sendmail. The move to Postfix made my life a lot simpler.
Mikkel
Leon Vergottini wrote:
I have been tasked to commissioned an e-mail server in the first quarter of next year. I got this task because I am the only one at work that plays and have a small bit of understanding of how Linux work. So, I am on a research spree. I have already had a look at the following sites:
The Linux document project How to forge Flurdy.com
Firstly, I am almost certainly more ignorant than you on this topic. But
(1) Is it clear what is meant by an e-mail server? Wouldn't an IMAP server (dovecot) do the job perfectly well in most cases?
(2) There is a nice tutorial on setting up a Sendmail server at http://www.brennan.id.au/12-Sendmail_Server.html.
There's plenty of advocacy for Postfix and Dovecot on this list; I occasionally like to chime in with a bit for Courier MTA: http://www.courier-mta.org/
Among the advantages I appreciate: * Maildrop is much easier to manage than procmail * Configuration is much simpler: it's substantially similar to the highly regarded Qmail * The entire system is a single integrated package, so you only have to configure things like authentication once rather than for each server (as in postfix and dovecot). * Courier supports an SMTP filtering API that's much simpler than either Postfix or Sendmail. I wrote courier-pythonfilter to help email admins filter and modify messages using Python. ;)
On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:21:42 -0800 Gordon Messmer wrote:
- The entire system is a single integrated package, so you only have to
configure things like authentication once rather than for each server (as in postfix and dovecot).
Actually, I just setup postfix and dovecot on my system, and you can tell postfix "Hey Postfix! Go use the dovecot authentication module.", so it wasn't particularly difficult to get both postfix and dovecot to do identical authentication.