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This document describes the basic steps required to setup and run an ISMail, ISMail Pro, or ISMail EP mail server.
We will assume you are starting from scratch; you can skip over any of the steps below that have already been done.
You will need a machine running Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003
Note: ISMail EP requires 2000/XP/2003
Mail server: 25 users @ 10MB per account (full archival, full backup):
Minimum CPU: 266MHz
RAM: 16MB
Disk: 1GB
If the machine is shared with other servers and/or applications, more resources may be needed.
You will need an internet connection capable of supporting a mail server. The connection must be an 'always-on' broadband connection with a static IP address.
Also, the connection must be able to run servers (i.e servers must be permitted by your ISP and ports 25, 110, and 143 must not be blocked; port 80 must also not be blocked if you wish to use Webmail).
A domain name (or at least a subdomain name) is required to run a mail server. If you do not have a domain name, you can purchase one from one of hundreds of domain name Registrars or Resellers over the internet. A search on 'domain name registration' will display many choices (e.g. register.com, godaddy.com).
You can (re-)use an existing domain name provided you can set the DNS 'MX' record for the domain (see Step 7).
Once you have a domain name, you will need DNS service for it. DNS service for the domain is what allows others to lookup the IP address of your server machine given your domain name. The DNS is the 'telephone directory of the internet' allowing server IP addresses to be found using domain names.
There are two types of DNS services available: static (for static IP addresses), and dynamic (for dynamic IP addresses). The type of your IP address is controlled entirely by your ISP and depends on your internet service agreement. Most low-cost ISP connections use dynamic IP addresses, although switching to a static IP has recently become much more affordable.
Although, it is possible to run a mail server using a dynamic IP address (and we will describe how to do so), we highly recommend getting a static IP because it simplifies server management and offers much better overall performance.
Static IP:
If you have a static IP, you may already have DNS service from your domain name Registrar or Reseller. To check this, login to your domain name account at the Registrar or Reseller and check to see if you can set your domain's IP address (also known as the DNS 'A' or 'address' record). You must be able to set the actual IP address and not just the 'name servers' for the domain. (Note that some of the very low cost Resellers only allow you to set the 'name servers').
If you can set the IP and know what value to enter, do so at this time. Then, proceed to the next step.
If you can set the IP but do not know what value to enter, go to the machine where you plan to run the mail server, open a web browser, and run the ISMail Basic Access Test. This will display the IP address that you should enter (ignore all other results of the Test at this time). Then, proceed to the next step.
If you can not set the IP, you will need to get static DNS service. You can purchase static DNS service from many vendors. Search the internet for 'static DNS service'. Once you have DNS service, you will need to set the 'name servers' for your domain on the domain Registrar or Reseller site to the 'name servers' provided by the DNS service. Then, in your DNS service account, set the IP as described above.
Note that it may take 24-72 hours for your new 'name servers' to take effect.
Dynamic IP:
If you have a dynamic IP (and do not wish to change to a static IP at this time), you will need a dynamic DNS service. Search the internet for 'dynamic DNS service'.
Once you have dynamic DNS service, you will need to set the 'name servers' for your domain on the domain Registrar or Reseller site to the 'name servers' of the DNS service. You will also need to download and run the 'dynamic DNS client' on your server machine as per the instructions from the dynamic DNS service.
Note that it may take 24-72 hours for your new 'name servers' to take effect.
Installation:
Now that the domain name and DNS are setup, download and install a copy of ISMail , ISMail Pro, or ISMail EP. Use the default value for the program installation path.
Configuration:
Once the server is installed, we will setup the domain name, which is the minimum configuration necessary to run the servers:
Operation:
Now, start the servers by right-clicking again on the mailbox icon and selecting 'Start SMTP' and then 'Start POP3' and then 'Start IMAP'.
The mailbox icon will change color to green once the SMTP server is running.
Next, it is time to test that other mail servers on the internet can access the mail server through your router, firewall, and ISP internet connection.
From the mail server machine, run the ISMail Basic Access Test.
The test will display the server (external) IP address, and indicate whether the SMTP, POP3, and IMAP servers are accessible from the internet.
If the test passes, proceed to the next step.
If the test fails for any reason, you will need to determine the cause of the failure and then fix it. The most common failure causes are:
Router Problems:
Since problems with a router are by far the most common, we will start there. Nearly all routers have web-based configuration interfaces. Check your router's documentation or visit the router vendor's web site to find out how to access it (it is usually something like this: 'http://192.168.1.100').
In the router configuration screens, you will need to forward ports 25, 80, 110, and 143 to the mail server machine. These settings are usually located on a 'Port Forwarding' or 'Advanced' page. The router vendor's web site may have documentation or a FAQ which identifies this page. Once you have located the settings page, you will need to forward ports 25, 80, 110, and 143 to the local IP address of the mail server (the local IP address of the mail server is displayed when your roll the mouse over the green ISMail icon in the system tray). Usually, the local IP address looks like this: '192.168.xx.xx'.
Next, save the configuration changes, and reboot the router if the configuration change indicates to do so. Then, re-run the ISMail Basic Access Test. If the Test passes, proceed to the next step.
Firewall Problems:
The next most common problem is that firewall software is blocking access to one or more of ports 25, 80,110, and 143.
If you are running a firewall program, check that ports 25, 80, 110, and 143 are open.
Also, if you are running Windows XP, disable ICF or enable ICF for a mail server.
Then re-run the ISMail Basic Access Test. If the Test passes, proceed to the next step.
Other Mail Server:
If the Basic Access Test indicates another mail server is running, you will need to disable it.
If the other mail server is running as an application, there should be an icon in the system tray which can be used to stop the application.
If the other mail server is running as a Windows Service, you will may need to disable it from the Windows Services menus.
Then re-run the ISMail Basic Access Test. If the Test passes, proceed to the next step.
Incoming Port Blocked:
If theTest is still failing, check if your ISP is blocking port 25 in the incoming direction. Some ISPs block this port in order to reduce the spread of mail-borne viruses through non-ISP mail servers. If the port is blocked by the ISP, check if your internet service can be changed so that the port is not blocked. Many ISPs offer different classes of service for customers who wish to run (mail and web) servers.
If the incoming port can be unblocked, proceed to the next step.
If the incoming port can not be unblocked, you will need to find an ISP that does not block this port in order to run a mail server.
Now that the network configuration is working, it is time to check the domain and DNS configuration.
Copy and paste the following URL, modify it for your domain name, and hit 'enter': http://instantservers.com/ur_perl/bat_ism.pl?domain=mydomain.com
The Basic Access Test will report if your domain was found and has the proper DNS records.
If you are running a web server for the domain on the same machine as the mail server (or if there is no web server anywhere for the domain), then only a DNS 'A' record is needed.
However, if a web server for the domain is being run on a different machine than the mail server, then a DNS 'MX' and an new 'A' record are needed. The 'MX' record and new 'A' record will route mail to the mail server machine, while the old 'A' record will continue to route web server accesses to the web server machine.
To add an 'MX' record to the DNS entries for the domain, use the web interface for the DNS service. Most DNS services have a configuration setting to add an 'MX' (or 'mail exchange' record). A typical 'MX' record uses the name 'mail.mydomain.com' to route mail for the domain 'mydomain.com'. Once the 'MX' record has been added, also add a new 'A' record for the mail server name (e.g. 'mail.mydomain.com'). Use the IP address of the server machine in the new 'A' record.
Now, repeat the test at the beginning of this step to verify that the DNS entries are correct. Note that it may take a few minutes for the DNS to be updated with the 'MX' and 'A' records.
To send a test message, first setup a user account on the mail server and in the email client you are using for mail.
Mail Server Account:
To add an account to the ISMail or ISMail Pro mail server:
Mail Client Account:
Next, add an account of the same name to the mail client program. Also be sure that the mail client program is configured to use SMTP Authentication when sending messages.
Here is an example of adding an account to Outlook Express.
From your email client program, send a test message to the same account. You should receive a copy immediately.
From your email client program, send a test message to a mail account on another system. You should receive a copy on the other system within minutes. If you do not receive the message, check Troubleshooting: Sending mail in the ISMail FAQ for help.
From another mail system, send a message to the mail server account setup above. You should receive this message within a few minutes. If you do not receive the message, check Troubleshooting: Receiving mail in the ISMail FAQ for help.
Setup a multi-level anti-spam filter as follows:
In ISMail EP, an additional Collaborative ('fingerprint') message filter can added as follows:
If any problems receiving messages from 'bulk' sources (such as mailing lists) are encountered, these sources can be added to the 'Whitelist' by clicking the 'Whitelist/Blacklist' button on the same configuration sheet as above. Collaborative filtering will not be performed on any IPs, domains, or accounts whitelisted.
Any anti-virus scanner with a DOS command-line interface can be used.
For example, the ClamAV anti-virus system can be setup as follows:
1. Download and install ClamAV for Windows from:
http://www.sosdg.org/clamav-win32/index.php
2. Update ClamAV virus definition files automatically using the 'freshclam.exe' utility. This can be done by running 'freshclam.exe' (e.g. c:\clamav-devel\bin\freshclam.exe) in the Windows scheduler on a daily basis.
3. Setup ISMail configuration for ClamAV:
Now that the basic email server is running, you can add additional accounts, configure anti-spam and anti-virus filters, and set other advanced configuration options.
You can also setup the ISMail or ISMail Pro Webmail server.
For additional information, see the ISMail product Support area.