How to Set Up a Mail Server with Postfix and Dovecot on Ubuntu?
Last Updated :
19 Sep, 2024
If you are running a Small Business or have a Personal Website, then the Development of a Personal Mail Server will become essential. To Set Up Mail Server on Ubuntu, you need to use Postfix and Dovecot Tools.
Postfix and Dovecot on Ubuntu are essential to Send and Receive Emails in a Mail Server. This article will discuss Ubunutu Postfix and Dovecot along with the steps needed to Set up Linux Mail Server.
What is Postfix on Ubuntu?
Postfix on Linux works as the Mail Transfer Agent or MTA. The Postfix works with the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The primary target of Postfix on Ubuntu is to Send Emails along with Routing Emails. The Ubuntu Postfix helps to Outbound the Email Traffic. That means, whenever the user sends any Email, it will be directly transferred to the recipient’s server.
Features of Postfix:
- It helps to Filter the Outgoing Emails to any server or recipients.
- You can also add some customized filters to the Outgoing Emails for Managing.
- Postfix helps to Relay the Email from one server to another one.
- Postfix works to Receive Email from one client or server.
What is Dovecot on Ubuntu?
The Dovecot on Ubuntu is the opposite of the Postfix Tool. The Postfix works on the Email Sending Process whereas, the Dovecot works on Receiving Email to Server. The Dovecot follows two Internet Protocols, they are the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) and Post Office Protocol (POP3). Dovecot works for securely transferring emails.
Features of Dovecot:
- With Dovecot, you can access Emails from Multiple Linux Devices.
- Dovecot permits the users to Check the Emails without Downloading it into the Local Machine.
- With Dovecot, you can even Delete Emails from Server after Downloading them to Local Machine.
- Dovecot ensures if the email is delivered it should stored to the server successfully.
Pre-Requisites to Set Up Mail Server with Postfix and Dovecot:
- Presence of a Fully Qualified Domain Server running on Ubuntu OS.
- Basic Understanding of the Working of DNS Server.
- Root Access to the Ubuntu Server.
How to Install Postfix on Ubuntu?
To Install Postfix Mail Server on Ubuntu, you have to execute the following Linux commands. This command will take some time to complete the process. Once, the process is completed, the Postfix will become available.
Command: sudo apt-get install postfix
How to Set up Postfix on Ubuntu?
Step 1: Once, the Postfix is installed, you will get the Postfix Configuration Page. Click on OK to move ahead.
Step 2: Now, select the Internet Site option and press Enter.
Step 3: Now, you have to provide the System Mail Name there and press Enter.
Step 4: Click on the No Option for Force Synchronization Option.
Step 5: Now, click on the All Option to use both IPv4 and IPv6 email protocols.
Step 6: Once, this configuration is complete, you can execute the following command to check the Status of Postfix. You should get the Active Status there.
Command: sudo systemctl status postfix
How to Install Dovecot on Postfix Ubuntu Server?
Now, the Postfix on Ubuntu is installed and it is time to Install Dovecot on Postfix Ubuntu Server. To do so, the following Linux commands will be used. This command will also help to Install Dovecot on Postfix along with the IMAP and POP3 Protocols. It will take some time to complete the process.
Command: sudo apt-get install dovecot-imapd dovecot-pop3d
How to Set up Dovecot on Postfix Ubuntu Server?
Step 1: Now, the Installation of Dovecot is done and it is time to Configure the CONF File. After opening the CONF File, we have to write the following Two Instructions there and Save the Configuration File. This will help to work the Dovecot along with the proper security and protocols.
Instruction 1: !include_try local.conf
Instruction 2: protocols = pop3 pop3s imap
Step 2: Once, the above instructions are added, we have to Restart the Dovecot Service on Postfix Ubuntu Server. To do so, we have to use the following command. After restarting, the Dovecot will start working with the Postfix Mail Server on Ubuntu.
Command: sudo systemctl restart dovecot
Conclusion
In the end, we can say Setting Up Ubuntu Mail Servers with Postfix and Dovecot is not a complicated task. You have to just execute a series of Commands on Ubunutu Terminal and the rest of the things will be done by itself. However, you have to always go for Installing Postfix on Ubuntu before the Installation of Dovecot.
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