UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Subject: What does it takes to build a mail server, its just for fun and learning.

Am bad at being techinical, so in short, how to create a gmail-like thing? I have a registered domain, and want to setup a mail server. Have a spare laptop that is running Ubuntu 12.04. What I need to know is, what books or websites or terms I should search so I get started on this. And what would be the sequence? I have looked up and SquirrelMail something comes up often. The thing is, I have seen its interface and it really sucks so I would appreciate if anyone can tell how to tweak such openware softwares for gmail kind of an interface, what language do I need to learn/master?

Background: I am intermediate at all *nix OS(es). Beginner's Level in MySQL. I can write short scripts in Shell. CCNA certified so pretty basic with Networking too. Professional experience of 2 years in Storage and Backup administration.

Assuming you do not want to write one, there are many mail servers and most LINUX systems come with one installed. You need the domain's DNS records pointing to it so mail comes in, and an ISP outgoing mail server makes your life much simpler. The server needs a good matching A record for its PTR record as well as an MX. Setting Up Mail Server Records in the DNS

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry but what does "ISP mail server makes your life simpler" means? Am not doing any business or anything, is this just for learning. I've read that I need to have a static IP aswell for this? I was wondering in my wireless connection, IP doesn't change unless there is a connection lost or something. Would this thing work until the IP gets changed - I will find out. Thanks for the lead, i'll check it out. I went through Ubuntu Server forum, and they have a whole page about how to build an Email server, and from there I get to know that I would need a Web server too for hosting emails, right? One most important question remains, the tweaking of the interface of the webmail, what lanaguage do I need to go for?

If you're using ubuntu, you are in luck. The ubuntu community documentation explains about setting up a mail server. It's not that easy. I set up a mail server, but every time I go back to change something it is somewhat confusing. I would document whatever you do in some personal readme files.

You normally need a static ip. But it may also work with DynDNS or similar service. I'm not sure. I use a static IP for a mail server I have at an ISP, but use the DynDNS to remotely connect to a windows PC where the IP address changes now and then.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MailServer you may have already seen. If not, start there.

I kind of doubt there is a language for tweaking the webmail interface. More likely some options you select. But the only way to know is to try it. Have a good time. I think it's a good project, lots of interesting details.

Many ISPs provide an outgoing SMTP mail server, which you can chain to rather than working the DNS chain down to the right hosts and doing dialog for mail delivery. However, if nothing is relayed, then any mail server SW can deliver. Now, incoming mail can be in traditional mailboxes, but usually the mail is stored and delivered via IMAP or POP servers. If you are designing for large amounts of mail flow, large amounts of storage or huge numbers of users, there are optimizations for each of those to reduce their impact.