Today, when you can easily get any number of free mailboxes by simply registering an account with Yandex, Mail.Ru and the like, such a question as setting up a mail server does not bother too many users.
However, there are times when it will be useful to know at least some aspects of this issue.
When it is needed
There are not so many situations when an ordinary user needs basic knowledge on setting up mail. Nevertheless, any of them can happen at any time:
- If it was decided to switch from a browser-based mail client to a dedicated one in a separate program. Indeed, in many ways, such clients are preferable: they allow you to combine the mail program with the organizer, notebook, as well as more flexibly manage the address book and administer messages.
- There was an unexpected failure in the mail client, all settings “flew”. And then you just need to install a mail server. Setting it up usually does not require much time and effort, but otherwise you can be left without mail for quite a long time.
- Free mailboxes can be destroyed by the administration, and without explanation. Yes, and such a box looks in the eyes of business partners, frankly, not solid. Therefore, you have to start a dedicated server.
- If the provider offers a separate mailbox, then why not take advantage of such an offer.
Setting up a Windows mail server
The main parameters of e-mail, such as DNS, IP data and similar information, are issued directly by the provider.
To start using Windows OS mail clients , you will either need to download a client suitable for this operating system, or resort to the help of clients built into it. First you need to create a new account. As a rule, they also ask you to enter its name, come up with a password and login to enter.
You may need to enable support for Windows mail services through the Uninstall and Install Programs panel in the installation section of E-mail Services components.
Next, you need to start the POP3 Service and specify a new mail domain, for example mail.serv.main.com. You need to find out a more accurate domain from your provider.
To create a new box, you will need to come up with a username and password.
In the SMTP settings, you must specify the port number 25, and for the POP3 server - 110. If the provider gives other parameters, enter them. In the case when the mail client used does not involve entering the port number, you need to leave only the address provided by the provider in the items "Server for incoming messages" (this can be either POP3 or IMAP) and "Name for the server for outgoing messages" ( usually only SMTP).
Finer tuning of the Windows mail server largely depends on the mail application used, but the principle of operation will be the same. The difference may lie in the options of the graphical interface and in the menu items.
Switching from free mail to a dedicated client
Sometimes you need to stay on a free email service, but use a separate application as a client. You can show this by the example of mail settings for the Yandex service. Setting up the mail server will then be carried out with the following parameters.
1. IMAP settings for incoming messages:
- mail server address: imap.yandex.ru;
- in the security settings for the connection, specify SSL;
- port number is 993.
2. To configure outgoing messages via IMAP:
- specify smtp.yandex.ru as the server address;
- SSL must also be set in the connection security settings;
- port number must be set to 465.
3. Regarding the POP3 protocol for sent messages:
- specify pop.yandex.ru as the server address;
- SSL is specified as security parameters for the connection used;
- The port number is 995.
4. For outgoing messages sent over the POP3 protocol:
- smtp.yandex.ru is specified as the address of the mail server;
- in the security settings for the connection used, SSL is again indicated;
- port number is set 465.
As the username, as well as the address and password, you should set already existing addresses and passwords from mail on Yandex.
Configuring Mail.Ru Server
Sometimes you need to know about the settings of the Mail.Ru mail server. In general, the setting looks exactly the same as described in the case of Yandex mail. But the parameters will look like this:
- full email address (in the format with the @ sign, for example main@mail.com);
- imap.mail.ru is specified for the IMAP server;
- smtp.mail.ru is specified for the SMTP server;
- username is the full email address of an existing mail;
- password is the mail password used;
- IMAP: number 993 (for SSL / TLS protocols);
- POP3: number 995 (for SSL / TLS protocols);
- SMTP: number 465 (for SSL / TLS protocols);
- you need to specify that you want to authorize the server of sent letters, in the authentication settings - a simple password, without encryption.
In general, the settings are indicated exactly the same as in the case of Yandex, but only with the addition of the mail prefix. For other free servers, you should set the same parameters, but with the appropriate prefixes.
As you can see, in general, there is nothing complicated in such a matter as setting up the mail server. Even a novice user can handle this task. But you can be sure that even in the event of a critical failure, you won’t be left without mail.
The task is to raise your own mail servers using Linux tools, Apache, SQL and the like requires more in-depth knowledge in the field of information technology.