PCBSD as mail server. - PC-BSD Forums

arne22 · #1 10-09-2006, 08:12 PM

PCBSD has a oportunity for a very easy installation of a bundle consisting of Apache + PHP5 + Mysql.

I understand that it has the Sendmail as default mail server.

My experience with Sendmail on RedHat and some other distros is that Sendmail often has a default configuration, that makes it rather hard to obtain a fully working mail server functionality. (On RedHat it can send but not receive mail, or was it the oposite ..??)

The easy prosedure of making a mail server of a RedHat has used to be, at least for me, to shutdown Sendmail and install or start up Postfix thet is a lot more easy to configure.

What about PCBSD, to give it a full mail server functionality, for sending and receiving mail, is this best done using the existing Sendmail server, or is it bether or easier to use a Postfix installation ?

Eventually anything special to install Postfix ?

What about a web mail server functinality ? Is it possible to install something like Squirrelmail or Horde or something like that ?

antik · #2 10-09-2006, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by arne22

PCBSD has a oportunity for a very easy installation of a bundle consisting of Apache + PHP5 + Mysql.

I understand that it has the Sendmail as default mail server.

My experience with Sendmail on RedHat and some other distros is that Sendmail often has a default configuration, that makes it rather hard to obtain a fully working mail server functionality. (On RedHat it can send but not receive mail, or was it the oposite ..??)

The easy prosedure of making a mail server of a RedHat has used to be, at least for me, to shutdown Sendmail and install or start up Postfix thet is a lot more easy to configure.

What about PCBSD, to give it a full mail server functionality, for sending and receiving mail, is this best done using the existing Sendmail server, or is it bether or easier to use a Postfix installation ?

Eventually anything special to install Postfix ?

What about a web mail server functinality ? Is it possible to install something like Squirrelmail or Horde or something like that ?

I'd recommend to install ClamSMTPd+Postfix+Cyrus IMAP

Apatewna · #3 10-10-2006, 07:11 PM

I always recommend text mode for running servers. All aditional programs just make the server heavier.

If you want to build a full scale server then you're better off READING about qmail. Mail servers are an enormous topic to discuss. Be prepared

If you want to try something readily availiable and easy to install, try the Axigen mail server. http://www.axigen.com/
They have a free native Freebsd version http://www.axigen.com/mail-server/free.php
It installs/runs fine but free edition supports only one domain and nine users (you have to register to get your free license). Try it before you start dealing with professional mail server systems just to get an idea of how problems can develop.

arne22 · #4 10-11-2006, 01:27 AM

Thanks for info. I have used Qmail, Sendmail and Postfix before (on Linux servers.) I was cheating with the Qmail as I used it but I did not really install it or configure it (I used the preconfigured Linux SME server). Sendmail and Postfix I have set up a number of times based on manual configuration. (on Linux)

I hold Postfix to be the far most easy mail server to configure. Actually it is not difficult at all to get some basic mail server functionality up and running. (But I have not done it on any BSD yet.)

Think I will use Postfix, at least for the first test installation.

Thanks once more for info.

arne22 · #5 10-11-2006, 01:38 AM

Quote:

I always recommend text mode for running servers. All aditional programs just make the server heavier.

Mee too.

.. And I wondered how to run the PCBSD in text mode. I tried with a Linux style "init 3" but it did not work.

I was thinking about editing the /etc/tt** (something) file, so it should not start up the X-win / KDE.

Bether ideas for running PCBSD in text mode ?

TerryP · #6 10-11-2006, 03:11 AM

Ideas for nuking X on PC-BSD:

Remove KDE/Xorg all GUI packages. This is hopefully is considered for the server install in far future versions.

Edit /etc/ttys and switch ttyv8 to off to kill KDE/X startup

manually rip apart Xorg and KDE for fun

drop the system to single user mode

or just don't log into KDE and use a Virtual Console instead.

I used to be logged in via KDE or BB, logged in as a normal user on ttyv7 doing some stuff and root on ttyv6 compiling ports, switching back to X to check on a few gizmo's left to cook. I'm sure no GUI running would speed up a system but nothing says one has to use it.

antik · #7 10-11-2006, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by arne22

Quote:

I always recommend text mode for running servers. All aditional programs just make the server heavier.

Mee too.

.. And I wondered how to run the PCBSD in text mode. I tried with a Linux style "init 3" but it did not work.

I was thinking about editing the /etc/tt** (something) file, so it should not start up the X-win / KDE.

Bether ideas for running PCBSD in text mode ?

comment out with # this line in /etc/ttys:

Code:

ttyv8   "/usr/local/bin/kdm"            xterm   on  secure

Apatewna · #8 10-11-2006, 03:12 PM

antik, I couldn't possibly go over the PCBSD custom kernel to figure out the differences from the GENERIC FreeBSD 6.1 and I don't expect you to do it either.
But I believe that whatever the differences are, they are about stuff that would improve the feel of a DESKTOP system and are surely not the ideal setup for server.

So, my advice for all those who wish to run PCBSD in text mode is: get and install FreeBSD 6.1 instead, with option 6 (Full kernel source, no X). It's not as difficult as it seems and you'll eventually get the hang of it pretty fast.

I can post a complete walkthrough for the installation of FreeBSD 6.1 for those who want to build a whatever-server and would like to do so in text mode.