Create your own MX backup server.

WebFooL · 07-10-2009, 02:35 PM

I needed a MX backup server so that i can move my exchange server.
I came up with this:

Download and install Ubuntu server 9.04. (Virtual or hardware)

When the installation is done run:

Code:

sudo -s

Typ your root password
Now when you have a root terminal run:

Code:

apt-get update

After the upgrade run:

Code:

apt-get install postfix

Now it is configure time.

Code:

nano /etc/postfix/main.cf

go to the buttom and add in one line:

Code:

smtpd_recipient_restrictions = permit_mynetworks reject_unauth_destination

Then add another line:

Code:

relay_domains = $mydestination domain1.com domain2.net domain3.org

*change domainname to your domains.
And the last line:

Code:

transport_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/transport

Now save the file ctrl + O the exit ctrl + x.

Now we need to create the transport file so run:

Code:

nano /etc/postfix/transport

Enter this to the file:

Code:

domain1.com smtp:mail.domain1.com
domain2.net smtp:mail.domain2.net
domain3.org smtp:mail.domain3.org

*Change to your domains and smtp addresses.
Now save the file ctrl + O the exit ctrl + X.

Now we have to create a binary database for the transport.

Code:

cd /etc/postfix/

then run:

Code:

postmap transport

Now reboot the server or run:

Code:

postfix reload

Good commands to know of:
mailq (List the mail queue)
postsuper -r queueid (sends that mail from the queue)

From a external ip portforward port 25 to this unit.
Now add that external ip to your MX records. (with a higer value than your standard mailserver)
When the main MX record server goes down email will be sent to the backup server.
When the primery server gets back online again postfix will send all mails to the smtp specified in "/etc/postfix/transport".

Try to see that it works.
download mailsend.exe
http://www.muquit.com/muquit/softwar.../mailsend.html
Enter the ip to the backupserver and follow the instructions.
if it works it will relay the mail to your server.

GL

Bumblebee · 09-07-2009, 08:26 PM

Hi WebFool, I tried following your instruction, but have a question at the installing postfix part. What did you select at the postfix configuration screen that comes up?
Or did you just tell it that you will configure later. I think I tried the " smart host" option,
but I'm not sure of what other options should be changed in the main.cf file.

WebFooL · 09-07-2009, 11:54 PM

If i remember right.
I first install it as a local server.
After all configurations where done i change the network access in the "/etc/postfix/main.cf" so that my loacl network can relay thru it.

My setup is on a remote location.
I can access it later to night and verify how my main.cf file looks.

WebFooL · 09-08-2009, 09:37 AM

Can you post a copy of your main.cf then i can have a look.

raditude · 09-08-2009, 12:53 PM

WebFooL - I followed your instructions and made a VM of this, and everything is working great. Thanks for this!

Bumblebee · 09-10-2009, 08:20 PM

Thanks for the offer WebFool. I'm going to start from scratch on that PC, I stuffed things up on it anyway, and it was only a test.
If I have any problems, I'll post the main.cf file for you to have a look at.

WebFooL · 09-25-2009, 12:29 PM

Ok, So my main site hade some problems today and it resolved in that my MX backup server came in use.
And it workt :P

about 30-40 mails during 1 h for 3 different domains.
So i can really recommend creating one.

If you want a custom Virtual host created for you just hook me up with a pm and i will help you.

kirkcaine · 10-19-2009, 06:00 PM

nice 1 - i will add to notes

jcoffin · 10-19-2009, 09:27 PM

Very nice! Excellent backup! Thanks for the detail instructions.

07-10-2009, 02:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
WebFooL Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden (Eskilstuna) URLs submitted: 57 Posts: 2,933	Create your own MX backup server. I needed a MX backup server so that i can move my exchange server. I came up with this: Download and install Ubuntu server 9.04. (Virtual or hardware) When the installation is done run: Code: sudo -s Typ your root password Now when you have a root terminal run: Code: apt-get update After the upgrade run: Code: apt-get install postfix Now it is configure time. Code: nano /etc/postfix/main.cf go to the buttom and add in one line: Code: smtpd_recipient_restrictions = permit_mynetworks reject_unauth_destination Then add another line: Code: relay_domains = $mydestination domain1.com domain2.net domain3.org change domainname to your domains. And the last line: Code: transport_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/transport Now save the file ctrl + O the exit ctrl + x. Now we need to create the transport file so run: Code: nano /etc/postfix/transport Enter this to the file: Code: domain1.com smtp:mail.domain1.com domain2.net smtp:mail.domain2.net domain3.org smtp:mail.domain3.org Change to your domains and smtp addresses. Now save the file ctrl + O the exit ctrl + X. Now we have to create a binary database for the transport. Code: cd /etc/postfix/ then run: Code: postmap transport Now reboot the server or run: Code: postfix reload Good commands to know of: mailq (List the mail queue) postsuper -r queueid (sends that mail from the queue) From a external ip portforward port 25 to this unit. Now add that external ip to your MX records. (with a higer value than your standard mailserver) When the main MX record server goes down email will be sent to the backup server. When the primery server gets back online again postfix will send all mails to the smtp specified in "/etc/postfix/transport". Try to see that it works. download mailsend.exe http://www.muquit.com/muquit/softwar.../mailsend.html Enter the ip to the backupserver and follow the instructions. if it works it will relay the mail to your server. GL __________________ "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most" Untangle Reseller (Sweden) WebFooL@fakenews.se http://fakenews.se/ Need space to Upload content for you forum post? Last edited by WebFooL; 07-10-2009 at 02:39 PM..

09-07-2009, 11:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
WebFooL Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden (Eskilstuna) URLs submitted: 57 Posts: 2,933	If i remember right. I first install it as a local server. After all configurations where done i change the network access in the "/etc/postfix/main.cf" so that my loacl network can relay thru it. My setup is on a remote location. I can access it later to night and verify how my main.cf file looks. __________________ "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most" Untangle Reseller (Sweden) WebFooL@fakenews.se http://fakenews.se/ Need space to Upload content for you forum post? Last edited by WebFooL; 09-08-2009 at 09:37 AM..

09-08-2009, 09:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
WebFooL Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden (Eskilstuna) URLs submitted: 57 Posts: 2,933	Can you post a copy of your main.cf then i can have a look. __________________ "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most" Untangle Reseller (Sweden) WebFooL@fakenews.se http://fakenews.se/ Need space to Upload content for you forum post?

09-25-2009, 12:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
WebFooL Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sweden (Eskilstuna) URLs submitted: 57 Posts: 2,933	Ok, So my main site hade some problems today and it resolved in that my MX backup server came in use. And it workt :P about 30-40 mails during 1 h for 3 different domains. So i can really recommend creating one. If you want a custom Virtual host created for you just hook me up with a pm and i will help you. __________________ "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most" Untangle Reseller (Sweden) WebFooL@fakenews.se http://fakenews.se/ Need space to Upload content for you forum post?

09-07-2009, 08:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bumblebee Master Untangler Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sydney Australia URLs submitted: 3 Posts: 111	Hi WebFool, I tried following your instruction, but have a question at the installing postfix part. What did you select at the postfix configuration screen that comes up? Or did you just tell it that you will configure later. I think I tried the " smart host" option, but I'm not sure of what other options should be changed in the main.cf file.

09-08-2009, 12:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
raditude Master Untangler Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 782	WebFooL - I followed your instructions and made a VM of this, and everything is working great. Thanks for this!

09-10-2009, 08:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bumblebee Master Untangler Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sydney Australia URLs submitted: 3 Posts: 111	Thanks for the offer WebFool. I'm going to start from scratch on that PC, I stuffed things up on it anyway, and it was only a test. If I have any problems, I'll post the main.cf file for you to have a look at.

10-19-2009, 06:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
kirkcaine Untangler Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 80	nice 1 - i will add to notes

10-19-2009, 09:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
jcoffin Untangler Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Mateo, CA URLs submitted: 1 Posts: 863	Very nice! Excellent backup! Thanks for the detail instructions.