Setting up Email Server in Linux Server System

email server system linux

Are you looking for assistance regarding the installation of email server in the Linux system? You may contact a Linux administrator for help or follow the guidelines and instructions explained in this blog.

There are many server software like Postfix, Qmail, Sendmail and Exim that can be configured on the Linux server using cPanel or Plesk control panels. This tutorial has the steps to quickly install Exim Mail Server on Linux Control Panel.

Few pre-requisites to install email server in Linux System

  • Fully qualified registered Hostname
  • Static IP address
  • cPanel must be installed
  • Log in to WHM

Check our previous blog (link) to learn how to securely configure cPanel/WHM

Moving further, to install Exim Mail Server, you need to search for Exim Configuration Manager in the search box of the WHM. Or, you may find ‘Exim Configuration Manager’ under ‘Service Configuration’ on cPanel dashboard. Now install and open the Exim Configuration Manager.

The default settings of Exim Configuration Manager can be changed as per your requirements. It comes with pre-compiled setting options under following tabs:

  1. Basic Editor: You can edit the general settings under this tab
  2. Advanced Editor: This one should be left for the expert Linux administrators to make changes since it has complex properties. A small mistake can lead to errors.
  3. Backup: Under this tab, the Exim Configuration settings can be customized for Backup needs
  4. Restore: Users can make changes in the restoration parameters under this Tab
  5. Reset: If you want to reset the changed settings back to the default ones, you can do it under reset tab of Exim Configuration Manager.

As a novice user, you can use Basic Editor to easily install Exim Mail Server on the Linux System. Follow the steps given below:

There are subtabs under Basic Editor as:

  • ACL/Access Control List: This subtab of Basic Editor helps in controlling the connections, verification, security attacks and incoming emails to prevent any threat. It is recommended to not alter the default settings under ACL tab.
  • Domains and IPs: Here, you can set Outbound IP for emails to be sent through Exim.
  • Filters: Set the filters to block spam and infected attachments.
  • EMails: You can customize the settings for incoming emails to be rejected if they are illegitimate or coming from bad IPs.
  • RBLs: Under this sub tab, you can edit the settings to block the emails coming from RBL databases.
  • Security: You can set parameters for managing the security of outbound emails. Spams and malwares can be prevented by customizing the settings under the security tab.

Save the edits once these settings in Exim Configuration Manager are tweaked according to your security requirements.

Your Email Server on Linux system is now securely configured. Next important thing you need to do is to run a test to check email servers’ IP reputation. Also, check if all essential DNS records have been created appropriately.