Setting up your own email server on a VPS can be a somewhat complicated process but it allows you to gain full control over your email service. One of the easier ways to achieve this is by using a program like iRedMail. Here’s the step-by-step guide to it.
1. Buy a VPS: The first thing you need to do is purchase a virtual private server (VPS). There are several different providers, such as DigitalOcean, Vultr, or Linode offering different plans depending on your needs.
1. Install the operating system: Most providers will allow you to choose your operating system during the VPS setup. We recommend using a stable release of Ubuntu, Debian, or CentOS.
1. Update your OS: Once your server is up and running, you should update your OS with the latest security patches. On an Ubuntu server, you can do this by running `sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade`.
1. Install iRedMail: Go to the iRedMail website and download the script for your OS. Extract the downloaded file, navigate to the extracted directory, and run the iRedMail.sh script with sudo privileges `sudo bash iRedMail.sh`.
1. Follow the setup wizard: The iRedMail setup wizard will guide you through the configuration of your mail server. You need to select a mail storage path, choose your webmail application, choose your admin password etc.
1. DNS configuration: Create a new A record pointing to your VPS’s IP address. You should also set up MX, SPF, and DKIM records for your mail server. This part is done not on your server but in the panel of your domain provider.
1. Adjust Firewall Settings: Open necessary ports for the functioning of the email server. Ports to be opened are: 25 (SMTP), 143 (IMAP), 587 (submission), 993 (IMAP SSL), 995 (POP3 SSL), 443/80 (HTTP-HTTPS) in your firewall to allow mail transfer.
1. Test your setup: After everything is set up correctly you should test your mail server. Check if you can send and receive emails and check the spam score of your sent emails.
Remember to regularly maintain and update your server after installation, to prevent potential security issues.
