Mail/Web Server from scratch

[Nuxxy]

So my boss has tasked me with setting up a local web and mail server here at our offices. I haven't a clue how to go about it, so can anyone give me any advice or tips.

Is setting up a web and mail server over an ADSL connection even a viable proposition?

The system must be preferably Windows-based, though we're not ruling out a Unix-variant option. Just have to learn Unix then too.

I imagine once you have the appropriate software, it runs quite smoothly. What I'm lost about is actually setting up the www.?.co.za and mail.?.co.za domains. We have them currently hosted elsewhere, but if we want to host it internally over ADSL, don't we need to set up external DNS and/or a permanent IP address?

Preemptive thanks!

 

[XCalibre]

Yes you need to get a static ip if you want to host everything internally. The thing is, it's actually not that practical as you'll end up paying more. Lots of admin work, backups etc etc.

What is practical however and a lot of companies is doing it this way, is to use a email hosting company for your email but install SBS at your company and create pop3 connectors for each mail box. That way you still have all the email locally and you don't have to much admin work. Plus a hosting company usually guarantee up time etc etc.

 

[medicnick83]

We go through IS directly, try speaking to them.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Suggestion - try to "offload" the mail hosting to another company as they'll be able to provide antispam and antivirus filtering as well.

Plus, in case of loadshedding, your mail will still be spooled at the hosting company even though you might not have power.

 

[Nuxxy]

Just to let everyone know, this came about because we were hosted through xsinet for a good couple of years (from long before my time at the company), and when they were bought out by @lantic, we had to find a new host.

So eventually Circular Systems was chosen, as they seemed the cheapest SA hosting company. We've recently discovered that they are not hosting anything locally, but instead use a reseller package through HostDime. If we had wanted to use US hosting, we would have chosen a US company at a fraction of the price Circular is charging.

The other solution is to find a good and reliable and cheap SA host that actually does host everything locally. Suggestions in that regard?

 

[mh348]

I think Hetzner offers local hosting

 

[stoke]

Your mail is not going to work, cos the IP Address being used for ADSL will be marked as a SPAMMING ip address, and nobody will accept emails from you, and some mail servers will refuse to send to you.

 

[Daniedj]

Our mail server runs (read: Walk) with a Static ADSL IP. Works mostly.

 

[RSkeens]

We go through IS directly, try speaking to them.

Hi,

I would also agree with this. Depending on what sort of mail server you wish to run and obviously the volume of attachments the bandwidth shouldn't be too much of an issue with an ADSL connection (considering it is simple and optimised and not for example a GroupWare solution). I am speaking on behalf of *nix mail servers, though. Mail servers with low to even average size attachments don't use nearly as much bandwidth as HTTP servers.

An HTTP service will require more than an average ADSL connection, though. Of course, it's all theoretical numbers and very hard to estimate these things without knowing exactly what needs to be accomplished and what will be involved.

I would say don't start with a *nix server if you don't know what you are doing (yet ^^).

Good luck!

 

[ColinR]

ClarkConnect FTW.
We have it in our Office, never looked back.

Regarding the Static IP - nah, CC handles the Dynamic IP using it's own DynIP service, any mails that fall through on an IP change, will simply be caught by the next MX record, and downloaded using fetchmail, then redistributed locally as if it came straight in via SMTP.

You also get VPN, Print Server, File Sharing, etc all thrown in. Yeah it's a linux base, but it's all Web Interface - no scary command prompt needed, unless you need really advanced configs.

 

[antowan]

Depends on the speed of your link and what it would be used for as well. Also depends on the number of users on that line.

The cheapest option would be overseas host in terms of website, which gives you a much better uptime possibility, since hosting on your own brings all kinds of variables into play ala:
- power outages
- machine wear
- adsl outages

Mail however can be done locally for speedier delivery and seemingly quicker mail handling. It is a nightmare to administrate though due to spam and managing restrictions on mail size, attachement types etc. It is a ball that needs an eye kept on it, know what I mean?

If you have the time and skills (the last can be acquired within hours or a couple of days maximum) a solid Linux distro should do the trick in either case.

A simple yet sturdy machine with loads of ram and hdd space. I prefer Red Hat but any distro will do.

For the web part use Apache and for mail there are a couple of options...

The dynamic IP is a biaaatj, but can be overcome by services like www.no-ip.com and others.

They have a nice DUC proggy that can make life easier on both *nix and Windows platforms.