Hi there,

I would like to set up a mail server but I have no idea or rather I am confused how to...

I have an Ubuntu server in my cupboard and around the house I use windows with Thunderbird.

So what I am asking is what applications would I use to do this:

1) Retrieve my mail from the ISP to the server
2) Store it on my servers disk
3) Run a spam program against it and filter out any rubbish against the good stuff
4) Using Thunderbird download the mail to my windows machine. Also if its possible to use a web interface to read online if im out and about??
5) To also have the server handle outgoing mail from my windows machine through the server to the world outside.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

fetchmail
done by fechmail
procmail and spamassassin
http://www.linuxlinks.com/Web/Mail/

http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20...801/Email.html

1) getmail or fetchmail
2) probably an IMAP server like dovecot
3) spamassassin rules!
4) These two things sort of counteract each other. If you use IMAP, you can leave things on your home server and can still use Thunderbird for viewing, but it doesn't really download the mail to Windows. If you create local folders, any mail dragged into those folders won't be visible from other locations (unless you remote desktop into that windows machine and look at the mail). As for a web interface, I've heard of Squirrelmail, Zimbra, and Scalix, but never used them. I think some of them are complete solutions (i.e. they probably have their own IMAP servers you can use).

Sorry forgot to mention I would like to have the server handle mails being sent out to the world from my Thunderbird client.

I will update the above list

Rgds

So am I thinking in the correct order here:

1) mail is sent to my ISP servers
2) Fetchmail installed on my server retrieves from my ISP servers
3) Dovecot delivers the new mail to a mailbox configured
4) Spam Assassin filters the rubbish from the good
5) Mozilla Thunderbird connects to server (somehow) and retrieves or views the new mail

Is that right?

also I am a bit confused when I need to put in my "server mail domain name" in some of these applications.

I have 2 websites with registered domains but im not using them for any email. I have them set up in the /etc/hosts file - all is good.

But what do I put in the mail settings for my setup?

my servers hostname is sapphire.. can I use that? Can I choose anything/any name? Or do I have to buy a registered domain for this?

Sorry about the amount of questions.. its a learning curve for me

Just a small reminder. Please avoid using thread titles like "Where do I start???" They are not very informative. Something like "How do I set up a mail server?" would have been more appropriate. Have a look at the sticky on the top of the Linux - Newbie forums.
Cheers,
jdk

Will do

Anyone with any helpful comments?

Hello,

If you don't want to install all those separate programs to be able to run your own mailserver with web interface and antivirus/antispam integration you might want to have a look at this:
Axigen Mailserver.
You get all in one, for free (5 accounts/1 domain/1 server), and for a variety of OS. And it comes with a very easy webinterface to administer too. No need to install anything else.

Kind regards,

Eric

PS: not making any publicity, just know this one because I had it running at my previous job.

Thanks for that link, but I would like to get in amongst the nitty gritty as it were and configure it all from scratch.

Call me a fool but I want to get my teeth in it all.

Hi,

Nobody will ever call you a fool in my opinion for wanting to do it all by yourself. I just pointed it out for those who don't share your dedication, which by the way is a great thing to have.

Kind regards,

Eric

Cheers Eric. I've heard its a real effort to configure a mail server but I am willing to stick by it and see it through

That's the spirit!!!

I think that should cover it. With Thunderbird you can retrieve mail using POP or view/edit with IMAP if I'm not mistaking. If you need a 'webaccess' too, then you would need a web frontend, maybe something like this PHP Script.

Kind regards,

Eric