Mail server

rich_m · Post by **rich_m** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:20 pm

I plan on building a mail server on a small network (around 60 systems) . and if the netwrk is connected to the internet, i want users to be able access their account via the net. (users will be able to create accounts only when on the main network though and front end is going to be php)

Well the above is the discription from whats it going to be from the users end, i want to as to how i can get started with a project like this??? Thanks in advance!

Combuster · Post by **Combuster** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:30 pm

What i'd do is think of a way to store the mail data, implement that, then write front-ends for it.

Neo · Post by **Neo** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:56 am

So you want to run a mail server from your local LAN and allow users from the internet to be able to access it?
I'm not sure if thats a good idea security-wise but anyway I think you should concentrate on getting your LAN mail server setup first (I'm sure there are several available) and then think of access from the internet later if you want it.

Is this for a Windows or *NIX LAN?

B.E · Post by **B.E** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:28 am

First, you need to deside on what protocol your going to implement, then find the RFC for that protocol:

POP (Post Office Protocol 3) = RFC-1939
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) - RFC-2060
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) RFC-0821

start designing the backend (i.e work out how your going to implement the protocol), This should be a deamond (or service in windows),

PHP has an API for acessing a mail server.

rich_m · Post by **rich_m** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:06 pm

Neo wrote:........ LAN mail server setup first (I'm sure there are several available) and then think of access from the internet later if you want it.

Is this for a Windows or *NIX LAN?

Its going to be for windows, So getting the mail server setup... how do i do that?

Alboin · Post by **Alboin** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:28 pm

As stated, you have to use Sevices for Windows where the program runs in the background. A quick google search brought up this: How to write NT Services You might want to try MSDN as well...
-fin

Neo · Post by **Neo** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:48 am

Just wondering...
Aren't there any Opensource mail servers available for Windows?

Alboin · Post by **Alboin** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:13 am

Uh...There is hMailServer....

Neo · Post by **Neo** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 7:03 am

Was having a look at that noticed that it requires MySQL.
So was just wondering, if most mail servers use a database to store mails?
If not what do they use that for?

Brynet-Inc · Post by **Brynet-Inc** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:19 am

Neo wrote:Was having a look at that noticed that it requires MySQL.
So was just wondering, if most mail servers use a database to store mails?
If not what do they use that for?

Some might use it for authentication.. storing username and passwords in a database.