[linux-help] Re: Mail server basics

[Carl D Cravens <raven@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 31 Aug 2001, Nathan wrote:

> I was just on dhs.org getting setup with their static
> host service.  They were asking for an MX
> Exchanger.  DHS kept giving me errors until I entered
> the smtp server of my ISP.  Can't I totally bypass my
> ISP's mail servers by setting up my own?

I'm not familiar with DHS' services, but it's possible that it wasn't
accepting an entry that didn't actually reach an operational SMTP server.
Try setting up an SMTP server on your box and changing your MX record.
("MX Exchanger" is slightly inaccurate... MX stands for "Mail eXchanger"
already.)

> What do I need on my server?  I know I want an IMAP
> server, but that's for incoming only, right?  Will I
> need an SMTP server to to accept the mail and move it
> into the IMAP server?  Is that what sendmail and qmail are?

Sendmail will do what you want.  (Although moving "into" the IMAP server
is probably an inaccurate term... normally your SMTP server is just going
to deliver mail to your standard Unix mailbox, where it can then be
accessed by POP, IMAP, or any local utility (Pine, Elm, etc.))

Sendmail's a bit complicated, but as a mail administrator, I think qmail
is the spawn of Satan.  It's bounce messages are nearly useless in
determinging the cause of a problem.  And the messages are overly cute.

Unfortunately, Sendmail spawned what was the largest O'Reilly "Using..."
book until the Internet Security book came along.  It's just shy of 1000
pages.  There's a Sendmail-HOWTO out there, and lots of other resources,
but I still consider the bat book to be the most complete resource.  The
HOWTO will get you started, though.

--
Carl D Cravens (raven@xxxxxxxxxxx)
...and BTW, OTOH (FWIW), IMHO it's OK.

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