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Yet another Postfix virtual mailbox HOWTO. This Debian Etch mail server uses Postfix driven virtual mailbox domains stored in a MySQL database, managed by PostfixAdmin and phpMyAdmin. The change log is http://verchick.com/mecham/public_html/spam/virtual_changelog.html. This HOWTO enables you to build a complete open source turn-key email server in a matter of hours (instead of days or weeks). In one sense it is more like one big script that requires intervention. It can be considered a howto if one reads the contents of each patch and script I provide. If you are not familiar with how Postfix works, I must nearly insist that you purchase a book like "The Book of Postfix" by Ralf Hildebrandt and Patrick Koetter and read it. Having a functional system to play with while you read the book will help you understand how this system works. It is also important that you learn some basic Postfix debugging. I would start with http://www.postfix.org/DEBUG_README.html and http://www.postfix.org/QSHAPE_README.html.

This document is provided AS IS. Absolutely no warranty, use entirely at your own risk. If you find something obviously wrong please let me know. I also would not mind getting opinions from experienced administrators outlining a better way to do some particular thing. Generally speaking however, there is no support provided for this document. Be careful downloading stuff from me or other websites I link to. This document could be forged or the website could be hacked. See the disclaimer at http://verchick.com/mecham/public_html/spam/.

Create Debian Installer CD Debian Installation PuTTY, additional programs and apt Create Firewall Rules Install MySQL Install programs that use SSL certificates Create and install SSL Certificates Enable php in apache-ssl Install and configure phpMyAdmin Perform some preliminary Postfix configuration Install SquirrelMail software Install and configure PostfixAdmin and maildrop Configure SASL and TLS Install and configure amavisd-new Create Bayes and AWL tables in MySQL Configure and customize SquirrelMail Configure Razor Install pflogsumm Install BIND Additional Postfix configuration Set up PostfixAdmin Vacation

Install postfixadmin SquirrelMail plugin Install MailZu Quota Install Mailgraph - Optional Install mysql-zrm The alias issue Acting as a relay server Amavisd-new lookups Install OpenProtect SARE rules - Optional Install DCC (dccifd) - Optional Install Postgrey - Optional Install policyd-weight - Optional Install SaneSecurity and MSRBL ClamAV signatures - Optional Install Botnet SA plugin - Optional Install p0f - Optional Upgrade amavisd-new - Optional Upgrade SpamAssassin - Optional Install FuzzyOCR - Optional Install AIDE - Optional Install Altermime - Optional Odds and ends

This setup:

Uses Postfix virtual mailbox domains (with user and domain information stored in MySQL).

Uses the web based PostfixAdmin to maintain the database of administrators, domains, aliases, users, maildirs etc.

Uses the web based MailZu where users maintain their quarantined messages.

Uses the web based phpMyAdmin to easily browse and modify MySQL databases.

Uses Courier IMAP and POP3 servers. Also uses Courier authdaemon to authenticate users (via MySQL data).

Uses maildrop as a local delivery agent.

Uses maildirmake to create maildirs with quota information.

Divides each domain and user into a separate maildir, e.g.: /var/vmail/example.com/user/

Amavisd-new (with SpamAssassin) provides 'per user' settings via MySQL.

SquirrelMail allows for web based client access. Users can also modify their own spam sensitivity level and white/black lists.

Spam is automatically directed to the user's Spam folder or quarantine (user customizable).

Email borne virus scanning provided by ClamAV (and other optional vendors).

Is suitable for hundreds of users (depending on hardware).

Is not designed to be used in part. It is designed to be used to build a system from scratch.

Strives to connect users over secure connections thereby protecting their passwords from sniffing.

Assumes you have some experience with Linux and Postfix

Uses quite a few different passwords. Write them down and keep them safe.

Requires that you make no mistakes during copy and paste - please pay very close attention.

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Gary V, mr88talent at yahoo dot com
http://www.freespamfilter.org/forum/
29 OCT 2007