Easy Way To Install Postfix On Ubuntu Server

Most recent CMS (Content Management System), blogging platforms, and nowadays’ scripts have a feature to send email either for notifications, account confirmation, etc. Let’s say WordPress, this widely used blogging platform itself will send emails to Admin telling for new comment posted, new user registration, and messages submitted via contact form page. I tell you already how to setup a working live server to host your websites and blogs in it. And that’s including how to install web server of your choice (Apache or Nginx), install MySQL server, and install perfect build of PHP. If you’ve followed my guide from the beginning, your server should now already be online and ready to host your website files and database. You can also install your desired CMS like WordPress on it. But this will not have so much fun if you don’t install Postfix.

Without a working mail server your site’s visitors would never be able to send you message via contact form, you will also not be able to know each time new comment posted or waiting your moderation, and so on.

I can say this guide as an essential knowledge every newbie should know.

p.s: Every time I say “server” it can refer to both VPS or Dedicated server.

Requirements

1. A working server running Ubuntu OS but Debian should also be similar. In this guide I use Ubuntu 12.04. You can read more about my playground server here. In this case I assume you’ve already setup a live online server to host your file. Otherwise, read below tutorials;
2. Either Apache or Nginx web server should already be installed. Read:
   How to install Apache and PHP5
   How to install Nginx and PHP5
3. MySQL server. Read: How To Install MySQL Server
4. As usual, you’ll also need our favorite app to access your sever via SSH. For me, I prefer to use Putty. You can download Putty and read guide how to use Putty here.

How To Install Postfix

Step 1 – Login to your server via SSH. If you’ve followed my previous guide about essential Ubuntu setup, you may have to login using your username because root login has been disabled. If you do so, once logged in simply type su, hit Enter on your keyboard, then type your root password in.

Step 2 – Type this command syntax to get Postfix installation files:

apt-get install postfix

If it asks you: “Do you want to continue” simply answer yes by typing Y then hit Enter.

Step 3 – The installer script will then display some information about available configurations. Read on then select “OK”.

Step 4 – Once you hit OK, it will then ask you which Postfix configuration you wish to use. In this case you can simply select “Internet Site“. Use Up and Down arrow to navigate, then use Right and Left arrow to select the “OK” part.

Step 5 – Now you have to define your server’s fully qualified domain name (FQDN). It is up to you. You can use something like mail.yourserver.com, host.yourservercom, server.yourserver.com or even the extreme one like ghost.yourserver.com.

Step 6 – Once all those steps done, all you have to do is wait the process to finish. It should take less than a minute. You’ll also get a message saying..

Step 7 – To make sure all configurations loaded properly, it is also better to restart Postfix service via this command:

/etc/init.d/postfix restart

That’s it. Once you’ve uploaded all files of your website to the server and installed the script you want correctly, do not forget to give it a test. In WordPress you can also try a free plugin called “Check-Mail”. This free plugin allows you to test if your WordPress installation is sending emails correctly by sending a test email to an address of your choice. Enjoy..

Do not hesitate to reply comment asking something or sharing what you got during your play with your server.