Easiest way to set up an IMAP mail server

Question

I am new to setting up a mail server, and everywhere I look I get either outdated or really complex instructions on setting up a mail server.

Is there any simple methods on installing an IMAP mail server?

There is mypostfixadmin. So long that you lock it down, it's pretty nice and fancy to have. — earthmeLon, Sep 21, 2014 at 21:58

Tarun · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-17 05:09:52Z

26

You can use Dovecot for mail server

Install the packages

sudo apt-get install dovecot-imapd dovecot-pop3d
Configure the protocol you need to be used by appending the protocol in the file /etc/dovecot/dovecot.conf:

protocols = pop3 pop3s imap imaps
Choose the mailbox you would like to use. Dovecot supports maildir and mbox formats. Edit the file /etc/dovecot/dovecot.conf and change the line

mail_location = maildir:~/Maildir # (for maildir)

or

mail_location = mbox:~/mail:INBOX=/var/spool/mail/%u # (for mbox)
Restart the service

sudo /etc/init.d/dovecot restart
Use telnet to check that dovecot is working properly.

telnet localhost imap

That's it.

PS. Also make sure your firewall is configured properly to accept connections on the appropriate ports.

answered Sep 17, 2013 at 5:09

Tarun

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1

Great answer. However, you might want to enhance this a little by explaining how to tell if one is using mbox or maildir formats, as well as the fact that on Ubuntu 14.04 Server, it uses Upstart for Dovecot now and so you have to do "start/stop/restart/status dovecot" type commands.
– Volomike
Mar 20, 2015 at 17:31
1

Also, I found that if you get a prompt for SSL, skipping it will cause dovecot not to load. You'll have to do a self-signed SSL on the mail until you can replace with a real cert. Also, dpkg-reconfigure dovecot-imap doesn't work -- you'll have to do apt-get --purge remove dovecot-core dovecot-imapd dovecot-pop3d to remove and start over.
– Volomike
Mar 20, 2015 at 19:57
1

Current dovecot version uses a /etc/dovecot/conf.d where it stores different configuration files, so protocol selection is made placing files there. Anyway, there's no need to modify anythin, default installation already sets everything right.
– jesjimher
Aug 4, 2017 at 13:02
1

Docs can now be found at help.ubuntu.com/18.04/serverguide/dovecot-server.html, but I don't know if the rest of the answer needs reviewing since 2013...
– mwfearnley
Dec 24, 2019 at 15:16

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