How to Set up an Email Server from Scratch

Most people want to make their email system more secure and have self-control over the mailing system. This is possible when you can set up your email server from scratch. Today we will learn about the way you can build your email server.

This system is best for those tired of using third-party email providers: email server configuration and other problems. The steps for building your mailing server include selecting the right hardware and configuring your server software. Let’s discuss this in detail.

Set Up an Email Server from Scratch

Most people use free domains like gmail.com, but we want to have a domain address. If you want to have your email server, you must have a domain name like abc@yourdomain.com. You must do this by following each of the instructions listed below.

Register a domain name

In your email address after the symbol of @ it should be your domain name, instead of a free hosting name. As we are not promoting any company or product we recommend you to do proper research to choose any registrar to register your domain. 

To register your domain you can choose GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains. Get your domain from these sites, this is what we need to add to our server, which we will discuss further 

Email Server Software

To Set Up an Email Server from Scratch you will need to Install email software. For that, you may need a Linux server. This is included in most basic web hosting services. It is advisable to look into hosting companies like Namecheap, HostGator, or Bluehost.

SMTP and POP3/IMAP ports open

At the very least, ports 25, 110, and 143 must be open for inbound and outgoing mail traffic on your hosting. Verify that your host is compatible with this.

Step 1) Install Postfix – This is the main SMTP server that will send and receive mail. In your hosting account’s SSH or terminal, type “sudo apt-get install postfix”. Follow the prompts, and select Internet Site.

Step 2) Configure Postfix – Edit postfix configuration files like main. cf to set your domain name and enable TLS. You can find tutorials online or leave default settings for now.

Step 3) Installing Dovecot, a POP3/IMAP server, is the third step towards accessing your mail. “sudo apt-get install dovecot-imapd dovecot-pop3d” is the installation command.

Step 4: Setup Dovecot – Verify that the protocols and ports are set up correctly by editing Dovecot. conf. Leave the other settings as they are.

Step 5) Create Mailboxes – Run “postconf -e ‘home_mailbox = Maildir/'” to set mailbox format, then “sudo mkdir -p /var/mail/yourdomain.com/username” and “sudo chown username: username /var/mail/yourdomain.com/username” to create user folders.

Step 6) Send a test mail from another account to your domain account and notice. Then use an email client like Thunderbird to check mail using POP3/IMAP on your server.

Step 01: Select the Right Hardware for email configuration

As we mentioned earlier we will discuss this topic in detail so that I will tell you from beginning to end. Before setting up an email server choose the right hardware, this includes a computer or a laptop. 

When choosing a device to set up an email server from Scratch make sure to check the ability of the device to process your work. Check the processing power of the device. Additionally, it is important to choose a device with good storage. 

Step 02: Select the Right Software to Set Up an Email Server

You must choose the appropriate software after deciding on the appropriate hardware. Among the widely used programs are Exim, Postfix, and Sendmail. You can also do proper research on this software to choose the right software for yourself.

After selecting the software the next step is to configure your server software. We will need to now set up our domain name in the server. If you have downloaded software from the internet then Install it on your PC and follow the steps to run the software.

After the complete installation set up a domain name, and the email addresses that are attached to your server and make some settings according to the server you have selected. After setting up the email server, make sure to do something for its security. 

Step 03: Securing Your Email Server

Strong authentication procedures are one of the most important components in protecting your email server. This could involve using a more difficult security technique like two-factor authentication or asking users to input their login and password to access their email.

Do these things to make your email server secure. Security is an important part of email marketing. It will save your server from viruses. Spam and other threats that cause harm to you. By applying security you can easily make your several secure. 

Furthermore, encrypting your email communications is a very important part. It includes SSL or TLS and PGP. All these help you make your server secure and safe to use. So, these steps enable you to set up an email server from scratch.

Step 04: Managing Your Email Server

After choosing hardware, software, and security our next step is to manage our email server, monitor issues, and try to fix as accordingly. Additionally, it also includes updating server software and performing backups.