How to set up a mail server

[scracker]

Hi

I have my own server now. Can anyone please suggest any documents on how to set up a mail server. Thanks

[Xayd]

What OS does the server run?

Do you have full control of the server, down to replacing/installing/uninstalling applications?

Or do you just have a webmin or cpanel type access to it?

Do you just want POP mail or do you want IMAP and other such niceties?

Will you be using this server to send mail too or do you still use your ISP's mail server for that?

There are a million questions to answer your one question .

[scracker]

Hi there

I'm answering your questions

I have full control of the server.
I want POP mail
I have one server running XP Home, the other runs Windows 2000
And I want to use this mail server to send and receive mail.

[Xayd]

http://www.pmail.com/overviews/ovw_mercwin.htm is a good server to try out, especially since it's free and all the Pegasus related software is generally well documented by its users (or you can pay for a full "official" manual if you so desire).


Things you will need and/or need to do..

1) Reliable DNS and a reliable server, preferably static IP address(es). If your server goes down you and your users don't get mail, reliability becomes your job not your ISP's.

2) Read the entire set of help files that comes with the server you choose to go with, specifically sections about relay rules and authentication. Running your own mail server is fine and great but when some spammer figures out how to exploit it and sucks up all your banwdith sending out Viagra ads you'll wish you didn't have it . A mail server by definition is a rather "open" server. It blindly accepts mail addressed to you and your users, and it blindly sends it for those users that it trusts. If there's a weak link somewhere in the chain you will become a spam relay. Therefore doing creative things that ensure your server's security as far as mail goes is absolutely necessary.

[glc]

You also have to read your ISP's rules about running servers - most residential accounts prohibit this.

XP Home is not a suitable operating system for a server, 2000 is better but still not ideal.