email server / isp
 

if my isp does not let me connect to any other smtp server other than their own, would I have any trouble setting up and running my own email server?

Most ISP's wont let you run a email server or any other servers for that matter, unless your running a business and that is already part of the service you are paying for. You can still set one up and run one for you internal network, that's no worries there. The only problem would be you ip address, if you have a static one your ok, if you have dhcp then that will be more difficult. If you ip constantly changes the rest of the world cant find you to send mail back to you, mx records need to be static for reliable service. Plus need to be careful if your on a contract with your ISP you may be in breach of your contract if you run one outside your network. Nothing worse that having your internet connection cut off.

I just look though their agreement and it said nothing about breach contract to start my own server... unless it's one of those contract that it's hidden somewhere.. but I have a domain name and i'm using no-ip.com to direct my ip to my domain name. will that work?

I am doing the same thing, but have not got round to setting up an email server yet.

You can run a webserver with a dynamic ip address no problem.

On average, how often does your IP address change?
If for example, your ip address changes 5 times a day, then for 5 times a day, for at least 2 minutes, your email server will be down while your ip address is changed with your dns.

Maybe you could setup a backup server, or maybe have the emails forwarded to a standard address if your server is down?

Its not always the case where you have to use their outgoing mail servers, its at times the other mail server outside of your ISP or network that doesn't allow you to send using their email servers. If you have an account with another mail server, in most cases you can check off to authenticate yourself when sending email to use their server, etc.

They only do this to prevent spammers from using their server to send mail, etc.

I know with my contract i cannot run servers, if i do and they find they cut me off. I know all ISP's aren't the same, but i thought i may mention that just in case. I have just got my email server running myself a couple of days ago, i seem to be able to send to a few addresses that are on the same network, but i haven't tried any outside the network so i don't know if they will reach it yet.

i'm with earthlink.

I dont think my ip changes that often each day.

when I do set it up.. do I use my postfix to relay the mail though my isp smtp? how about when it comes to fetchmail to retrieve my mail?