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Setting up Linux as a email server
- Thread starter Helfenmir
- Start date
I would personally recommend setting up a Postfix server --> Its not difficult to set up, especially if you download an RPM package of it. What distro are you running? After Postfix is installed, you only have to change like 3 lines in the main.cf file to get a very basic mail server up and running.
There is also a new Postfix forum here on Tek-Tips over here --> forum921 It was just created yesterday and I think I'm the only member at this point
If you ask any Postfix questions in there, I'll gladly answer them. I'll help you set it up if you decide to use it.
If its simplicity that you want, stay as far away as possible from Sendmail. IMO, its the worst program I've ever used for any platform (Linux/Unix, NetWare, Windows).
qmail will also work, but I prefer Postfix.
ChrisP
There is also a new Postfix forum here on Tek-Tips over here --> forum921 It was just created yesterday and I think I'm the only member at this point
If you ask any Postfix questions in there, I'll gladly answer them. I'll help you set it up if you decide to use it.If its simplicity that you want, stay as far away as possible from Sendmail. IMO, its the worst program I've ever used for any platform (Linux/Unix, NetWare, Windows).
qmail will also work, but I prefer Postfix.
ChrisP
You really need to give more information on what you need.. is it one domain that you want to host, are you trying to collect your domain's email from another server that collects it? How many users, are they local, etc etc etc...
for a simple out of the box solution try the sendmail packages with redhat, or postfix with the rest...
If security is your main interest, look at qmail
Explain what you need, and we can try to help ya
--d3vNull
for a simple out of the box solution try the sendmail packages with redhat, or postfix with the rest...
If security is your main interest, look at qmail
Explain what you need, and we can try to help ya
--d3vNull
- Thread starter
- #4
Great, you've all been very helpful. I have a REDHAT 7.3 and want use Linux as my mail server as opposed to EXCHANGE server which is not being used in anger, i have had a few probs with it and I don't like it anyway, plus there is too much Microsoft stuff, hence the simple approach. I am running an NT4 DOMAIN 35 users 5 external users (dialup) PDC, BDC, WINS DHCP blah, blah blah all running across sites down a leased line.
Really looking to offer e-mail internally and for external users use. Internal mail being bounced back (not going out on the Internet to come back).
Really need to use Outlook for the Client but may be able to move to Eudora. What do you think?
Thanks for your advice
Helfenmir
Really looking to offer e-mail internally and for external users use. Internal mail being bounced back (not going out on the Internet to come back).
Really need to use Outlook for the Client but may be able to move to Eudora. What do you think?
Thanks for your advice
Helfenmir
Any of the mentioned MTAs (mail transport agent ... aka, mail server) can do what you want.... your best bet is probally using the sendmail that comes with RedHat 7.3 and if you are pressed for time, use webmin ( to set up the server's configuration.
Eudora, Outlook, Outlook Express, etc all can connect to the mail server machine via IMAP or POP3, so no worries there...
If u need specific help with Sendmail, there is a sendmail forum here, or ask in here as well
--d3vNull
Eudora, Outlook, Outlook Express, etc all can connect to the mail server machine via IMAP or POP3, so no worries there...
If u need specific help with Sendmail, there is a sendmail forum here, or ask in here as well
--d3vNull
- Thread starter
- #7
As far as using outlook goes...you can only really get the full functionality of outlook through exchange. You should look into fixing the problems with Exchange since you are using a NT4 network. I know there are several options out there but they don't offer all that exchange has to offer. What kind of problems are you having with Exchange?
Wartoc
Wartoc
wartoc, what functionality are you talking about? I disagree. The fact that you are already using an NT4 network does not mean that you should just stick with it and continue to use M$ products. Thats not a reason to use (or not use) a product. Should they just stick with Windoze forever because thats what they are running now?
"I know there are several options out there but they don't offer all that exchange has to offer" --> What about Lotus Domino? Domino runs on Linux, Unix, NetWare (pre v5), OS/2, and Windoze, and does everything Exchange does, except it does it better and costs a lot less.
Yes, Exchange does a lot more than Sendmail, for example, but that is not necessarily a good thing either. Most people don't need a bloated groupware product like Exchange. All they need is to send and receive email. Thats it. Why pay thousands of $$$s to M$ when you can pay nothing and use more reliable products like Linux and Postfix (for example)?
ChrisP
"I know there are several options out there but they don't offer all that exchange has to offer" --> What about Lotus Domino? Domino runs on Linux, Unix, NetWare (pre v5), OS/2, and Windoze, and does everything Exchange does, except it does it better and costs a lot less.
Yes, Exchange does a lot more than Sendmail, for example, but that is not necessarily a good thing either. Most people don't need a bloated groupware product like Exchange. All they need is to send and receive email. Thats it. Why pay thousands of $$$s to M$ when you can pay nothing and use more reliable products like Linux and Postfix (for example)?
ChrisP
ChrisP,
He has to use Outlook for his client...there is no reason to pay for Outlook if he is just going to use POP3...
As far as functionality of outlook, features like Public Folders, Calenders, Contacts, Etc, OWA, and Server-based address books, just to name a few...that are not supported with Outlook POP3.
We all understand that Microsoft is bloatware...has too many options for most people, but you need don't buy a highly functional client(like Outlook) with a low function server.
Wartoc
He has to use Outlook for his client...there is no reason to pay for Outlook if he is just going to use POP3...
As far as functionality of outlook, features like Public Folders, Calenders, Contacts, Etc, OWA, and Server-based address books, just to name a few...that are not supported with Outlook POP3.
We all understand that Microsoft is bloatware...has too many options for most people, but you need don't buy a highly functional client(like Outlook) with a low function server.
Wartoc
I agree with wartoc , if you are going to use outlook, you will lose half the functionality if you dont use an exchange server, if u dont need that functionality, mainly all the collaboration stuff, then go ahead with postfix or sendmail....
You can still use all of those features in Outlook, but you just can't share them across the network using a Unix MTA. We don't even know if he needs collaboration. Plus, like I said earlier, Domino does everything Exchange does, and you can still use Outlook as the client.
I actually know Exchange better than I know any of the Unix MTA's or Domino, but I don't think its worth the money. Exchange plus Windows servers are very expensive and aren't worth it at all IMO. If I need collaboration, I would pick Domino in a second. Read this article from Lotus.com...
"iNotes Access for Microsoft Outlook
iNotes Access for Microsoft Outlook allows Microsoft Outlook users to access their mail, calendar, and scheduling information using a Domino server instead of Exchange. With iNotes Access for Outlook, organizations can take advantage of the Domino capabilities, such as reliability, scalability, and expanded platform coverage for their messaging infrastructure without changing clients. Additionally, as of 5.0.5, iNotes Access for Microsoft Outlook utilizes the Domino Off-Line Services (DOLS) technology to not only help in the delivery of the client code to the end users, but also to enable end users to access their mail while disconnected."
Who said Helfenmir even *bought* Outlook anyway? Most people who have Outlook, didn't purchase an Outlook license, they purchased a M$ Office license and Outlook came included with it. And of course, there is the other way of getting it (which is my preferred way of getting M$ products)...
ChrisP
I actually know Exchange better than I know any of the Unix MTA's or Domino, but I don't think its worth the money. Exchange plus Windows servers are very expensive and aren't worth it at all IMO. If I need collaboration, I would pick Domino in a second. Read this article from Lotus.com...
"iNotes Access for Microsoft Outlook
iNotes Access for Microsoft Outlook allows Microsoft Outlook users to access their mail, calendar, and scheduling information using a Domino server instead of Exchange. With iNotes Access for Outlook, organizations can take advantage of the Domino capabilities, such as reliability, scalability, and expanded platform coverage for their messaging infrastructure without changing clients. Additionally, as of 5.0.5, iNotes Access for Microsoft Outlook utilizes the Domino Off-Line Services (DOLS) technology to not only help in the delivery of the client code to the end users, but also to enable end users to access their mail while disconnected."
Who said Helfenmir even *bought* Outlook anyway? Most people who have Outlook, didn't purchase an Outlook license, they purchased a M$ Office license and Outlook came included with it. And of course, there is the other way of getting it (which is my preferred way of getting M$ products)...
ChrisP
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