How to set up and configure a mail server?

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I set up a virtual lab to get a better understanding of how a small network operates. I've got the domain controller, windows server and client pc up and running and they play along nicely but now I want to add a mail server. I'm kind of confused how I can integrate this together with active directory and in a domain environment. Can I add a pop3 email like gmail to test this?

 

I'm not planning to use Exchange but a freebie alternative.

I don't understand how I'll implement this in a home environment for testing. From my understanding, I'd set up a pop3 account on outlook and setting up the mailbox as the Exchange (or alternative) mailbox and set it to receive x mins from the Exchange server? lol sorry if this does not make any sense at all. That's why I'm looking for help Also how would this integrate with AD?

Any advice/tips are welcome. Thanks.

 

It would only integrate with AD if you used Exchange.

 

Actually, most mail servers can use ldap for authentication, and will integrate with AD to some extent.

However, they're a pita to set up, and I can't undersatand why you would bother using anything other than exchange in an m/s test environment?

 

I'm going to ask a question on email as I've never been involved with setting up a companies email system from scratch but how do you go about getting your own email address such as [email protected] who do you register this with?

 

You register a domain name, which costs a little amount each year and also you pay someone to host it. That is unless you have your own mail server.

As to who do you register with, there are numerous companies out there..

http://www.google.com.au/search?sou...ister+domain+name&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

 

Register the domain name and then point the MX records at you email server. In my case I use Google apps so they point to Google. You then define the various email addresses on the server. You can also use some kind of email forwarding as well.

 

You also need to add the smtp.domainname to the A record pointing it to the server configured with the TCP/IP public ip address and smtp port forwarding configured on the router to point to the private ip address of the exchange server.

 

Not the A record.. the MX record

 

Yes when I used the godaddy.com webhosting provider in control panel this is how it was done and learnt it through Trainsignal videos.

 

cheers guys for the info.

 

Having done some research on other web hosting provider like Justhost.com in cpanel you just need to add the MX entry or MX record to point to the public IP address of your server if I am correct.

 

Thanks.

I think I need to do some more reading but in the meantime I have to come back to this later as I got sidetracked. I'm trying to get my internet working in my virtual machine