POP(/IMAP)/SMTP servers: Linux vs. Windows

RBH · Apprentice Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 184

This is something that continues to stagger me.

On a Linux system, you can have a web server set up and running pretty well (if not tweaked to your personal idea of perfection) within about 5 minutes - adding slightly more if you're compiling. Ditto for an FTP server. Even less for an SSH server. Same for MySQL.

However, try to set up an MTA with Courier (or similar) and you're sat there for quite some time. With Windows, it's as quick as any of the other tasks I mentioned above.

Sure, the Windows version may not be as secure or configurable post-install, but isn't it about time we had a single e-mail server package, rather than a hodge-podge of tools that do the job after much potential heartache and broken windows (no pun intended)?

InAt!QuE · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:42 pm Post subject:

I geuss you never heard of Kerio Mailserver
_________________
...Unix, MS-DOS, and Windows NT (also known as the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly).

RBH · Apprentice Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 184

kashani · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

How to install Postfix in Five easy steps
https://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-571370-highlight-postfix.html

Then install the IMAP/POP server of your choice. Most people like Dovecot these days. If you aren't doing virtual hosting or anything like that this is all your server should require.

kashani
_________________
Will personally fix your server in exchange for motorcycle related shop tools in good shape.

InAt!QuE · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:10 am Post subject:

lxg · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

nobspangle · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject:

Which email server can be installed on Windows in 5 minutes? It's not exchange that requires setting up a windows domain first.

As kashani says, postfix works pretty much out of the box, if you have your domain and hostname configured properly then it really will work out of the box.

Dovecot and courier-imap both provide imap and pop3 support with little or no setup.

kashani · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject:

I know I've spent several hours setting up Exchange in the past so I wouldn't call it a 5 minute job. The time spent does depend on how much you're trying to do with it, but even applying all the patches should take a few hours. I'm not sure the original poster was talking about Exchange, but having rehashed the Exchange vs Everything Else several times there isn't much out there that can et close to doing everything Exchange can.

The nice thing about SMTP/POP/IMAP bits is you can swap parts out as needed or add things like greylisting or spam filtering as separate tools instead of hoping your MTA has everything built in. The added setup time is part of the price you pay for having the flexibility to do this.

kashani
_________________
Will personally fix your server in exchange for motorcycle related shop tools in good shape.

steveb · Advocate Joined: 18 Sep 2002 Posts: 4564

I don't see a real problem in getting the functionality of Exchange in Linux. This is +/- no problem. The problem starts when you request that the client must be Outlook. Then you have troubles. But as long as you are free in choosing what client you use then the possibilities with Linux are much wide then with Windows. And installing a groupware solution in Linux in 5 minutes is possible. I can install you Lotus Domino in less then 5 minutes. It is ultra easy and beats Exchange in every aspect. Okay... it is commercial but so is Exchange as well. Or you cold install Kolab in Gentoo in no time. It is easy and the configuration is damn easy. Gunnar Wrobel from p@rdus.de has made the ebuilds for Kolab and a configuration script for the configuration part of Kolab. I would be surprised if you would face big problems with the configuration script. Executing the configuration script and answering the questions there is a job of less then 5 minutes and at the end you get a working Kolab installation. Yes! A real working groupware solution on Linux (Gentoo).

// SteveB

kashani · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 1:45 am Post subject:

I agree that the real issue is the Outlook client. If you can avoid that, then you've pretty much won the war.

However I fought with Lotus for about a week three years ago. At the end of it it was a relief to install Exchange. Lotus ain't easy and it was no five minutes at least for someone who had never seen it before.

kashani
_________________
Will personally fix your server in exchange for motorcycle related shop tools in good shape.

steveb · Advocate Joined: 18 Sep 2002 Posts: 4564

InAt!QuE · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:15 pm Post subject:

but what would be the best solution for an exchange like mailserver on linux if we assume money is no problem?
Kerio? Zarafa? or the new postpath? (are there some which i overlooked? NOTE: Should be outlook compatible)
All of these aren't supported for Gentoo so I'm wondering which should be the best?
(and what if money is a problem?)

For kerio there are already some howto's on Gentoo.
_________________
...Unix, MS-DOS, and Windows NT (also known as the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly).

RBH · Apprentice Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 184