Linux Configuring Postfix, fetchmail, dovecot for Google Apps

T

TEUser2K1

Level H
Hi all,

I am trying to setup and standby mailserver for a small organisation.

What I have to do:

- Their mail server is Google Apps.

- I am provided with a virtual machine running Fedora 13

- The VM system is running on dynamic IP through a firewall

- Use Postfix, fetchmail, dovecot to import mails from Google Apps and drop them in to local mail box on Fedora 13 VM.

- Fetchmail will run as a daemon to periodically retrieve mails from Google Apps

- Local users will connect to VM to send and receive their emails.

Is such a setup possible. Are there any guidelines available ?

Am a beginner in Linux, though completed RHCE recently :S

Thanks...

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

Any ideas from folks here...
 
Hi,

First of F13 isn't a good choice for Mail server, Try Centos or Debian.

- Yes, it can be done.Setup Fetching Emails from Google Apps is easy. you can either use POP or IMAP.All you need is a Email Client like thunderbird(GUI),Mutt etc.

- To import existing email, it has to be done on per account basis. Login to each Google App account and goto Settings --> Forwarding and POP/IMAP --> POP Download -->Select "Enable POP for all mail (even mail that's already been downloaded)". Then you can use any email client to download all mails of that account. same way, do this for all account you have on server, I know it painful but I don't think google provides a way by which we can download all Email data in one go. If you a better way, let me know:)

- Postfix & Devcot are mail *servers*. you don't really need them, since Google is already handling that for you. All you need is an email client.

- On this "Local users will connect to VM to send and receive their emails." I ask WHY? why don't they connect directly to Google servers and get their mails? What are you trying to do?
 
Thanks for your input...

"On this "Local users will connect to VM to send and receive their emails." I ask WHY? why don't they connect directly to Google servers and get their mails? What are you trying to do?"

Thats the whole point :) We dont want to provide internet on user desks considering the job they are doing.

Mail client like Mozilla Thunderbird will interact only with VM for sending and receiving emails through google apps. Thats why I am in trouble setting this up :)

My idea of this setup was that fethmail will pull mails from google apps and drop them in relevant postfix+dovecot user boxes on VM which will be downloaded by users' thunderbird mail client.

Similarly when a user send a mail from his thunderbird, it will be collected by VM, sent through google apps.

But executing this looks like a daunting task for me.

I have CentOS 5.5 dvd with me. First I will test the entire setup with my fedora vm, then deploy the same on CentOS VM.

I am also check whether Citadel mail server can be of use here.
 
Prole73 said:
Thanks for your input...

"On this "Local users will connect to VM to send and receive their emails." I ask WHY? why don't they connect directly to Google servers and get their mails? What are you trying to do?"

Thats the whole point :) We dont want to provide internet on user desks considering the job they are doing.
Click to expand...

Why not do it the simple way?

you should block all network access via Firewall and create some sort of VPN(Google for OpenVPN+iptables) where all network access on user desks is blocked and they connected to your VM which is then inturn connected to Internet.you can also block all ports except smtp,pop & imap.Lastly, just whitelist Google Apps so user won't be able to access internet but can get get their email via Outlook/Thunderbird etc. quite simple and easy to implement. This is also allow you full control and monitor internet access within your organization

Mail client like Mozilla Thunderbird will interact only with VM for sending and receiving emails through google apps. Thats why I am in trouble setting this up :)

My idea of this setup was that fethmail will pull mails from google apps and drop them in relevant postfix+dovecot user boxes on VM which will be downloaded by users' thunderbird mail client.

Similarly when a user send a mail from his thunderbird, it will be collected by VM, sent through google apps.
Click to expand...

It can be done but as there are multiple servers involved, this kind of setup would introduce additional latency into the email system

But executing this looks like a daunting task for me.

I have CentOS 5.5 dvd with me. First I will test the entire setup with my fedora vm, then deploy the same on CentOS VM.
Click to expand...

Nah, its no rocket science. just read documentation or man pages. you should be good.
 
^

will check whether xmailserver option is viable.

^^

For me doing this project have other objectives than just deploying it in office. There are multiple internet connections in our environment and it will be difficult configuring firewall etc. Again, we provide internet to uses after office hours and on special requests. Its complicated :)

I also want to do it as a project with full documentation. If it goes successful, I will also provide it to others with documentation so that they can download and deploy it in their environment.
 
Prole73 said:
^

will check whether xmailserver option is viable.

^^

For me doing this project have other objectives than just deploying it in office. There are multiple internet connections in our environment and it will be difficult configuring firewall etc. Again, we provide internet to uses after office hours and on special requests. Its complicated :)
Click to expand...

Your wish. But Still it can be done without any issues. so whatever you seems easier to you
 
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