Linux Mail server

cooljimy84 · 2 Feb 2010 at 23:56

Hello once again,

I'm looking to get a mail server (for personal use and to learn). I've got a domain and a static IP, website is up and running, but i would like to start playing with mail now.

I was thinkin of getting hold of a copy of MS exchange, but then thought well i'm sure linux can do it better and without a hugely power box.

so my question is what would u recommend for a linux kinda power user (been using it 5 years or so, but not hardcore CLI stuff to much). i would like to use push (i think it's called) out to my windows mobile, not too bother about internally i.e. @ home prob use Evolution...

spec me up please.

vidda · 3 Feb 2010 at 00:19

If you want to use push, get Zimbra Open Source Edition (www.zimbra.com)

memyselfandi · 3 Feb 2010 at 05:57

Whatever you use please make sure you properly secure it against being an open relay etc ...

If I'm just sending mail from the local host (for reporting purposes) then I tend to use Sendmail; if I'm using the system to send and receive mail then I tend to use Postfix. Sendmail tends to be very involved to configure correctly.

I haven't used Zimbra (as suggested above) but I have heard good things about it.

cyruscatfisher · 3 Feb 2010 at 13:21

Postfix & squirrel mail buddy, read up on postfix, squirrel mail is an easy one.

I personally HATE plesk with passion (beside the fact that it is using qmail), but you could give that a go (it's not free, but I'm sure you'll be able to find it in, um, say isohunt)

john_s · 3 Feb 2010 at 13:56

I've got a linux mail server set up running postfix, squirrelmail, and various other bits, pretty much as described here:

http://flurdy.com/docs/postfix/

I've not set it to accept SMTP mail in from the internet, but instead use fetchmail to pull the mail in from POP3 mailboxes.

daz · 3 Feb 2010 at 14:37

Zimbra is good but I didn't think the free version supported push?

cooljimy84 · 3 Feb 2010 at 17:16

Wow, thanks for the surgestions, i shall have a look at these when i get back from work (2nd job)

vidda · 4 Feb 2010 at 00:33

daz said:
Zimbra is good but I didn't think the free version supported push?

You're right - I've only ever installed and administered in a company environment, unfortunately it doesn't support push.

Nevertheless it's a great e-mail server (postfix based).

Btw to the OP, I understand it's also for learning purposes but if you want something functional which provides push notifications you can always use Google Mail and tie your POP accounts with that.

deano · 4 Feb 2010 at 20:49

also look at scalix for a exchange type mail server, other wise postfix can be setup in like 10 lines, dovecot for pop3/imap or squirrel for retrival

slylittlefox · 7 Feb 2010 at 20:58

vidda said:
If you want to use push, get Zimbra Open Source Edition (www.zimbra.com)

You had me excited then

I currently use Cyrus and Exim (and ClamAV, SpamAssassin, and Greylistd), Roundcube for my GUI. They all work well together

Best bet is to go and have a go at the hundreds of HOW-TOs out there, and if you get stuck come back and ask for help

cooljimy84 · 8 Feb 2010 at 23:06

kool, thanks.

cyruscatfisher · 9 Feb 2010 at 14:17

john_s said:
I've got a linux mail server set up running postfix, squirrelmail, and various other bits, pretty much as described here:

http://flurdy.com/docs/postfix/

I've not set it to accept SMTP mail in from the internet, but instead use fetchmail to pull the mail in from POP3 mailboxes.

Best HOW-TO on mail server EVER. cheers. (beer icon that isn't here)

bigredshark · 12 Feb 2010 at 20:20

Our unix SAs hate Zimbra, really really hate it. It looks cool and it *should* be great but it's just not. My personal opinion is that there is nothing out there to rival exchange for an integrated business email system.

accod · 13 Feb 2010 at 10:23

Another vote for Zimbra here. I'm a unix SA and I can understand why other SA's hate it at first. It's a black box of software which unix SA's aren't used to. After a while you get used to how it all fits together and find Zimbra's approach sensible. By having their own software packages for everything required, they can reduce any issues.

bigredshark · 14 Feb 2010 at 20:15

accod said:
Another vote for Zimbra here. I'm a unix SA and I can understand why other SA's hate it at first. It's a black box of software which unix SA's aren't used to. After a while you get used to how it all fits together and find Zimbra's approach sensible. By having their own software packages for everything required, they can reduce any issues.

And it doesn't scale and doesn't integrate well. It's a nightmare by all accounts, maybe nice for a small business who need a solution in a box but for them Exchange is a better solution in my opinion...

accod · 15 Feb 2010 at 10:57

bigredshark said:
And it doesn't scale and doesn't integrate well. It's a nightmare by all accounts, maybe nice for a small business who need a solution in a box but for them Exchange is a better solution in my opinion...

What makes you say that?

From my experience Zimbra scales very well. You can add extra mailbox servers easily or attach new volumes to an existing server, making them active/inactive at will. You can connect to it from pretty much everything and it can be used both on and offline.

I'd say it's much better suited than Exchange for most environments, not just small businesses. I'll admit to being biased though.