I think it's all configured right but how do I test it? Tried connecting with Outlook Express from my Win box but it didn't work. Not even sure postfix is listening on port 25. Does anyone know of some good docs? Thanks for the help!

Been doing some studying.. Do I need a POP3 or IMAP server in addition to postfix to allow clients such as Outlook to connect for sending and recieving mail? It looks like that might be the case? Something such as Cyrus perhaps? I'm trying to set up a basic mail server for my own domain for use with email clients on Win boxes.

Yes, your right

Most mainstream linux distros do this:

#chkconfig --list

then

chkconfig --level 35 imap on

you can replace imap with ipop3 etc

also give webmin a shot to configure postfix if not the configuration files are in /etc/postfix ofcourse

www.webmin.com

-- will

I'll keep investigating. Just need to let it all soak in!

Once you have postfix started (either using the init script or by executing 'postfix start') you should be able to send messages from any MUA that is configured to use that system as the outbound SMTP server. You may want to check your postfix configuration (for simple syntax errors) first by executing 'postfix check'.

It is always a good idea to check the logs (under the /var/log directory usually) for any messages if you have any problems. If things seem to be working, you can check to see if postfix is listening on port 25 correctly by using the command:

netstat -an|grep :25

and ensuring that there is an entry that looks sorta like

tcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:25 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN

The postfix documentation is available online @ http://postfix.behrsolutions.com/ if you need more information.

As for receiving email, you will need to install/configure some type of POP or IMAP program if you want Windoze systems to be able to retreive messages.

I'm doing some work on my Postfix server today. I was able to telnet to port 25 from my Windoze box! I think it was working before I just was using the XP telnet client incorrectly. This doesn't work: telnet 10.0.0.5:25. You have to telnet 10.0.0.5 25. Minor syntax issue with MS XP telnet. Now what IMAP server would you all recomend? As to what I'm using this for, I want to set up a system that could handle mail for a couple 100 users with moderate volume. It won't be used for this but that is what I'm studying. Also will other mail servers accept mail from my server? Currently I don't have a registered domain name.. Yet. My last few have expired. I really appreciate the help!

Postfix is so dang easy! Compared to BIND..

OK.. so things are moving in the right direction. I am just starting to play with IMAP myself now (I have been using local procmail delivery up till now), so I can not give you a definitive answer.... but I am leaning towards Cyrus myself.

As for will other mail servers accepting messages from you, that depends on how well (or poorly) they are configured. If they are 'properly' configured, nope. They should not accept messages from nonresolvable addresses. But, if your IP address has a PTR record, you may be OK. Of couse a vaild MX record would ensure acceptance. Spend the $12 and register a domain name (assuming that you have a static IP too). Your other option is ro relay (with permission of course) through your ISP.

If you think BIND is hard (it is really not bad), try writing a sendmail config file by hand sometime (for fun of course )

I have about 8 postfix servers running on Courier imap its pretty simple to set up and its even easier when you set it up with MySQL support. if you are on Mandrake then the packages are available on the club site.