Need instructions on how to set mail server

adsr96

I am still confused with how mailing works. I've tried searching down information but i still can't get a hold on. Can someone provide me simple steps on how to make the mailserver work on enhance though self hosted smtp? Or is it adviced to use a external provider? -if so, which?

mendozal

adsr96 what is not working in your install?

You need to set the EHLO hostname. And have reverse dns in your IPs.

JohnB

adsr96 Or is it adviced to use a external provider?

If you don't know what SPF, DKIM, etc is its probably best to not try to setup email hosting. Its a pain in the ass for the experienced people and there are many things you have to get right to not end up in spam. And just because you don't end up in spam when testing doesn't mean everything is correct.

Zoho mail is cheap and reliable if you want an external provider.

adsr96

mendozal

This is done in the main.cf file of postfix right? i cannot find it anywhere. im not used working with docker.
they say you can find it normally within /etc/postfix/main.cf

mendozal

adsr96 No. You need to do everything in the admin interface or your provider.

Setting up the EHLO hostname. Go to the email server, and select the Email role and then Settings. You can set it there.
The rDNS is done with your IP provider.

Besides these 2 things you need to check many others like SPF, DKIM, etc. But these 2 are the first steps.

adsr96

mendozal i have a PTR record like this:
xxx.xx.187.31.in-addr.arpa points to smtp.mydomain.com

is this correct?

adsr96

JohnB thanks for your comment. Yes i know what these records are and have heard many people saying the same, that's why i went with mailgun's mail services. It is indeed a l lot better. i managed to set it up halfway, at the moment i am only receiving but not sending.

mendozal

adsr96 but mailgun would need you to authenticate every customer domain and mailbox address before allowing them to send emails...

mendozal

adsr96 Where did you set that? If your server's name is smtp.mydomain.com, yes it would be correct.
The rDNS and the HELO name should be the same so other platforms can authenticate your emails. It's generally the server's hostname.

When you do:
On linux: nslookup <your ip>
On windows: ping -a <your ip>

Does it resolve to your hostname?

adsr96

mendozal hmm what do you recommend then?

mendozal

adsr96 If you want to use a smarthost I would recommend Mail Baby as a starter point. But you should resolve your other issues first.

adsr96

mendozal it resolves to the rDNS: in-addr.arpa

mendozal

adsr96 Where did you set the record? You should set that with your hosting/ip provider

adsr96

mendozal i did, under the "network" tab

mendozal

adsr96 Ok, the other thing you need to do is set the EHLO hostname. Go to your email server in enhance, then the three dots on the top right, then email settings. You will see the field there.

You can also use this service to check what's the problem with your emails: https://www.mail-tester.com/

Send an email to that address and it will tell you what's wrong.

adsr96

mendozal i have already set my EHLO name, it is: smtp.mydomain.com and it points to in-addr.arpa in a rDNS lookup. i just tested the website. but it keeps rowing the boat. Probaly because the mail never got send?

mendozal

adsr96 Probably. But I don't get what's the in-addr.arpa that's resolving.

Suppose your IP is 1.1.1.1 and your hostname is smtp.test.com:

ping smtp.test.com should resolve to 1.1.1.1
nslookup 1.1.1.1 should throw name = smtp.test.com

Meaning it should be resolvable from both ends for the email to work.

You also need port 25 opened and working on your server. Most providers block it.

adsr96

mendozal at the end i paid a freelancer at fiverr and he fixed it all. it seems i changed up some DNS records at the end.

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