Mail server

[YouCanToo]

It looks like 25, and 110 are blocked.  Is there a way around this? 

Well there is no use going any further till until this is remedied.  I believe no-ip.com can provide a work a round for blocked email ports. I have never used any of their services.

As always there are alternatives.

Have you considered using our webmail service at http://pclosmail.com ? Perhaps this would work out for you instead of the headaches that come with running your own email server. If you would like to try it out you, there is a test user already setup

http://pclosmail.com
Username: mypclosemail
Password:  testme

[YouCanToo]

Ok, I have webmin, and logged into it using root.  But how do I add an e-mail account?

Creating an new email account is as simple as adding a new user.  Say you want a email account called knucklehead@yourdomain.com

You simply need to create a new user called knucklehead. In webmin that is done under System --> Users and Groups. It can also been done as root using a console window using the following command(s)

adduser knucklehead

passwd knucklehead
 it will ask for the password twice. Note: it will not be displayed on the screen.

To remove the user

userdel knucklehead

[davidwillis]

Ok, so every user on my computer already has an e-mail account.

Is how do I check e-mail?  I guess I could setup thunderbird, but what is the server(for sending and recieving) , and do I use pop, or imap?

Also, I am just doing this mainly to learn how this all works, so can I set it up to work only on the local network until I can figure out how to get past the blocked ports?

[davidwillis]

also, couldn't I just use a different port?

[nixer]

YouCanToo,

I have always wanted to learn how to run a small home server, including mail functionality.  So I will give it a try since I have an internet connection that does not block any ports.

I have started reading the webmin doc on the postfix module earlier today, but I have not finished it, yet.  It is located here: 
webmin postfix configuration.

Near the bottom, in the Virtual Hosting section, it says, "This new local user must exist for mail to be delivered, therefore you'll need to add the new user to the system."  Isn't there an easier way to add an email account than to create a system user account?

[nixer]

davidwillis,

I tried before to get around the outgoing port 25 blocking which was done by my previous internet service provider and I never could get around it totally.  There may be a work around which will be free, but there are others available that are not free.  No-ip.com and dyndns.com have a mailhop relay service to aid in a scenario like this.  Google mail can be used as an outgoing email server but the mail headers will reflect this, so it is not an ideal solution.

[GermanTux]

also, couldn't I just use a different port?

No, 25 is a globally accepted standard for email delivery and reception.  Most mail services now use secure services to get around it between the client and the server, but between mail servers it is still tcp 25. 

A service was mentioned (noip) that you can forward mail to, and they will send it for you, but I am not sure that is worth it.  Kind of a hassle. 

If you pay for a "business" connection to your house, it's a little more expensive, but port 25 will not be blocked. 

[YouCanToo]

Ok, so every user on my computer already has an e-mail account.

Every use has a potential one, if you are running the mail server

Is how do I check e-mail?  I guess I could setup thunderbird, but what is the server(for sending and recieving) , and do I use pop, or imap?

Indeed you have to set up your email client to read or send the mail.  Normally your ISP provides the mail server for your account with them. and might be mail.yourisp.com, pop.yourisp.com or however they set up their mail system. This is for both sending and receiving.   Which you use is dependent on your mail provider.

Also, I am just doing this mainly to learn how this all works, so can I set it up to work only on the local network until I can figure out how to get past the blocked ports?

[YouCanToo]

YouCanToo,

I have always wanted to learn how to run a small home server, including mail functionality.  So I will give it a try since I have an internet connection that does not block any ports.

I have started reading the webmin doc on the postfix module earlier today, but I have not finished it, yet.  It is located here: 
webmin postfix configuration.

Near the bottom, in the Virtual Hosting section, it says, "This new local user must exist for mail to be delivered, therefore you'll need to add the new user to the system."  Isn't there an easier way to add an email account than to create a system user account?

In short no.  All email accounts are actually a individual user on the system that the mails server runs on.

[YouCanToo]

davidwillis,

I tried before to get around the outgoing port 25 blocking which was done by my previous internet service provider and I never could get around it totally.  There may be a work around which will be free, but there are others available that are not free.  No-ip.com and dyndns.com have a mailhop relay service to aid in a scenario like this.  Google mail can be used as an outgoing email server but the mail headers will reflect this, so it is not an ideal solution.

You might also find that you get a bunch or bounced messages with the famous error 550 (relaying denied) when sending mail out from your own system. Also some systems will bounce email for not having the proper DNS MX records and rDNS . Whats worse is when you end up on a RBL, trying to prove that you are not spamming or have closed a relay loophole can be a royal PIA!!!

[davidwillis]

Can I set it up just like it would be if the port was not blocked, then test it on an internal network.  It shouldn't block the port if it does not have to leave the internal network right?

[YouCanToo]

Can I set it up just like it would be if the port was not blocked, then test it on an internal network.  It shouldn't block the port if it does not have to leave the internal network right?

Why not give it a try.   I have never done that, but it does not mean it is impossible.

[davidwillis]

Indeed you have to set up your email client to read or send the mail.  Normally your ISP provides the mail server for your account with them. and might be mail.yourisp.com, pop.yourisp.com or however they set up their mail system. This is for both sending and receiving.   Which you use is dependent on your mail provider.

Well since I am my mail provider, then how do I know what I have set up?

[davidwillis]

Also, how to I know if the imap server is still running?

[davidwillis]

Never mind.  I have it all working now.  I can send/receive in my inside my network, but can't send/receive outside (as expected since the ports are blocked).