what steps to take for my ideal mail setup

Martijn_JM · 16 Jan 2007, 07:22 PM

Hi all,

What I'd like to realize is the following:

I have my own server standing somewhere in my home. I'd like that server to dowload all my e-mail from all my internet proividers (pop AND imap).

Then I'd like this server to redistribute my e-mail so that I can read it anywhere on the world. I'd like it to redistribute the messages using imap. (If it is possible ideally also via webmail)

->
I'd like to use standard utilities like postfix/sendmail , fetchmail, etc.

What programs would I need?
What configuration steps would require special attention?
I suppose I don't nescessarily need my own domain, only a fixed ip-address?

Thank you,
Martijn

janusz · 18 Jan 2007, 12:05 AM

If you want all your emails, from all your 'internet providers' to be accessible from a single place, find an email service (call it XYZ) which allows you to pull messages from other accounts (usually via POP). Then you'll be able to read all your email from anywhere in the world via the XYZ'z website interface (and possible by other means too).

Martijn_JM · 18 Jan 2007, 01:07 PM

Well, that is about what I mean; however I have no I idea what term to look for using for ezample google;

Do you have an example of the XYZ's you're referring to?

Thanks,
Martijn

janusz · 18 Jan 2007, 02:50 PM

Try fastmail.fm for example. Free accounts support IMAP and web interface.

kaptitsky · 18 Jan 2007, 05:21 PM

How about something like Blueberry IMAP to run as your local server?

http://www.simtel.net/search.php[action]search[authorName]AyanoAkira[SiteID]simtel.net

http://ayanoakira.cocolog-nifty.com/topen/

redmyrlin · 20 Jan 2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Martijn_JM
...
I'd like to use standard utilities like postfix/sendmail , fetchmail, etc.

What programs would I need?
What configuration steps would require special attention?
I suppose I don't nescessarily need my own domain, only a fixed ip-address?

Thank you,
Martijn

There's a variety of open source software you could use.

As one example. on my home network (Linux Kubuntu based) I use getmail to retrieve the email from my various external accounts; this then hands over to maildrop for local delivery to my internal account via my Imap server, Courier. I then access my internal account using SquirrelMail which runs on an Apache2 web server. I also run SpamAssassin which is called by maildrop.

I only access my mail from within my home, but provided your server is accessible from the web ( a fixed IP address should be sufficient) you should be able read your email from anywhere that provides an internet connection by connecting to the Imap server.

Mr Ernie · 27 Jan 2007, 11:54 AM

What features do you want besides pop, imap, and webmail? Do you want to software to be free or do you want to pay for it? How many users are going to use it? I am using Merak it has spam detection, virus checking so forth. It also has the features listed that your looking for! You don't need to be a rocket scientist to install it! Merak is not free, but it has a trail for 30 days I think.

Ernie

Quote:

Originally posted by Martijn_JM
Hi all,

What I'd like to realize is the following:

I have my own server standing somewhere in my home. I'd like that server to dowload all my e-mail from all my internet proividers (pop AND imap).

Then I'd like this server to redistribute my e-mail so that I can read it anywhere on the world. I'd like it to redistribute the messages using imap. (If it is possible ideally also via webmail)

->
I'd like to use standard utilities like postfix/sendmail , fetchmail, etc.

What programs would I need?
What configuration steps would require special attention?
I suppose I don't nescessarily need my own domain, only a fixed ip-address?

Thank you,
Martijn

DrStrabismus · 31 Jan 2007, 02:37 AM

You don't really need a static ip address. You can use a dynamic dns update client with many domain registrars or free DNS services, or get a free subdomain from dyndns.com.

Many dynamic addresses don't change very often if at all.

Scott Kitterman · 31 Jan 2007, 09:02 PM

While you don't 'Need' a static IP, many recievers block mail from servers on what they perceive to be dynamic IP addresses.

DrStrabismus · 1 Feb 2007, 02:52 AM

I don't think it really makes all that much difference. To get off the dynamic ip lists, you need to have control of reverse dns, not just a static address.

I was actually referring to the use of webmail really, since I think we are mostly talking about setting-up a server to access other accounts.

miley · 1 Feb 2007, 03:16 PM

My setup seems to be pretty close to what you describe:
- I use fetchmail (as a daemon) to grab the POP and IMAP mail off of the provider's servers
- fetchmail passes the mail to procmail, which has my server side rules (still do some filtering on the client, where I have access to an address book)
- Procmail acts as my MDA, delivering the message to the right folder.
- I run UW-IMAP (not thrilled with it, just found "Postfix Enabler", a really easy set up GUI for mac osx that configured and installed it with a few clicks) on a wacky port using SSL.
- I registered a free account on dyndns.com, and run their daemon to make sure my IP is correct (my cable modem *very* infrequently changes IPs).

16 Jan 2007, 07:22 PM	#1
Martijn_JM Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	what steps to take for my ideal mail setup Hi all, What I'd like to realize is the following: I have my own server standing somewhere in my home. I'd like that server to dowload all my e-mail from all my internet proividers (pop AND imap). Then I'd like this server to redistribute my e-mail so that I can read it anywhere on the world. I'd like it to redistribute the messages using imap. (If it is possible ideally also via webmail) -> I'd like to use standard utilities like postfix/sendmail , fetchmail, etc. What programs would I need? What configuration steps would require special attention? I suppose I don't nescessarily need my own domain, only a fixed ip-address? Thank you, Martijn

18 Jan 2007, 12:05 AM	#2
janusz The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: EU Posts: 4,945	If you want all your emails, from all your 'internet providers' to be accessible from a single place, find an email service (call it XYZ) which allows you to pull messages from other accounts (usually via POP). Then you'll be able to read all your email from anywhere in the world via the XYZ'z website interface (and possible by other means too).

18 Jan 2007, 01:07 PM	#3
Martijn_JM Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Well, that is about what I mean; however I have no I idea what term to look for using for ezample google; Do you have an example of the XYZ's you're referring to? Thanks, Martijn

18 Jan 2007, 02:50 PM	#4
janusz The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: EU Posts: 4,945	Try fastmail.fm for example. Free accounts support IMAP and web interface.

18 Jan 2007, 05:21 PM	#5
kaptitsky The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,186	How about something like Blueberry IMAP to run as your local server? http://www.simtel.net/search.php[action]search[authorName]AyanoAkira[SiteID]simtel.net http://ayanoakira.cocolog-nifty.com/topen/

31 Jan 2007, 02:37 AM	#8
DrStrabismus The "e" in e-mail Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,804	You don't really need a static ip address. You can use a dynamic dns update client with many domain registrars or free DNS services, or get a free subdomain from dyndns.com. Many dynamic addresses don't change very often if at all.

31 Jan 2007, 09:02 PM	#9
Scott Kitterman Essential Contributor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ellicott City, MD, USA Posts: 206 Representative of: ControlledMail.com	While you don't 'Need' a static IP, many recievers block mail from servers on what they perceive to be dynamic IP addresses.

1 Feb 2007, 02:52 AM	#10
DrStrabismus The "e" in e-mail Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,804	I don't think it really makes all that much difference. To get off the dynamic ip lists, you need to have control of reverse dns, not just a static address. I was actually referring to the use of webmail really, since I think we are mostly talking about setting-up a server to access other accounts.

1 Feb 2007, 03:16 PM	#11
miley Essential Contributor Join Date: May 2004 Location: California Posts: 307	My setup seems to be pretty close to what you describe: - I use fetchmail (as a daemon) to grab the POP and IMAP mail off of the provider's servers - fetchmail passes the mail to procmail, which has my server side rules (still do some filtering on the client, where I have access to an address book) - Procmail acts as my MDA, delivering the message to the right folder. - I run UW-IMAP (not thrilled with it, just found "Postfix Enabler", a really easy set up GUI for mac osx that configured and installed it with a few clicks) on a wacky port using SSL. - I registered a free account on dyndns.com, and run their daemon to make sure my IP is correct (my cable modem very infrequently changes IPs).