Differences between revisions 6 and 7
Revision 6 as of 2021-08-08 11:30:14
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Comment: Workaround for known installation bug
Revision 7 as of 2021-08-08 12:32:53
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Editor: fioddor
Comment: Config example, troubleshooting case moved as client configuration, external links, etc
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'''available since''': still under construction!

=== About the Email Server ===

You only achieve full privacy if you trust the whole communication chain end-to-end. With this Email Server you can:
 * Offer your friends an e-mail account in your !FreedomBox so they can communicate with each other within a controlled (by you) environment.
   * This scenario isn't perfect but provides good privacy. Yet they still need to trust each other and you.
   * Accessing FreedomBox webclient though Tor or a virtual private network, etc improves it.
   * End-to-end encryption in capable local clients connecting to your !FreedomBox might fix their need to trust you.
 * Connect to other trusted !FreedomBoxes and their users.
   * In this case you still need to trust the network interconnecting both !FreedomBoxes. Some improvements are planned but still pending.

!FreedomBox Email Server solution provides both spam and antivirus filtering features.
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 {{attachment:Installing_en_V01.png}}  {{attachment:Installing_en_V01.png |Installation installing sw packages|height=200}}
 {{attachment:InstallingPostInstall_en_V01.png|Installation running post-processes|height=200}}
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The minimal configuration needed is at the ''Domains'' tab.
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 {{attachment:ConfiguredDomains-local_en_V01.png|Domains tab at Email Server app page|height=300}}


=== Using the Email server ===

==== With FreedomBox Webmail Client (RoundCube) ====

[[FreedomBox/Manual/Roundcube|RoundCube]] email client is provided by !FreedomBox so once both are installed, you can host a complete webmail setup for you and your friends.

The following ought to be solved out of the box fairly soon, but currently we still need to tweek a text-file (`/etc/roundcube/config.inc.php`) to make it work with !FreedomBox as email server. The file is restricted so you need to access it as admin user. Fix these settings:

{{{
$config['default_host'] = 'ssl://freedombox';
$config['smtp_server'] = 'ssl://freedombox';
$config['smtp_port'] = 465;
}}}

Notes:
 * You can edit the file with `nano` text editor: `sudo nano /etc/roundcube/config.inc.php`.
 * `ssl://` is required;
 * Replace `freedombox` with the server's domain name, if you have set another one. It must match your TLS certificate.
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'''How to debug an action script failure? How to access the system log?''' ==== How to debug an action script failure? How to access the system log? ====
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'''How to set up Roundcube for accessing my !FreedomBox mail?'''

Open /etc/roundcube/config.inc.php as superuser and inject these settings:

{{{
$config['default_host'] = 'ssl://freedombox.example';
$config['smtp_server'] = 'ssl://freedombox.example';
$config['smtp_port'] = 465;
}}}

 * `ssl://` is required;
 * Replace `freedombox.example` with the server's domain name; it must match your TLS certificate.

'''Why does the server say "relay access denied"?'''
==== Why does the server say "relay access denied"? ====
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=== External links ===

* Upstream websites:
  * http://www.postfix.org
  * https://www.dovecot.org

Email Server

available since: still under construction!

About the Email Server

You only achieve full privacy if you trust the whole communication chain end-to-end. With this Email Server you can:

  • Offer your friends an e-mail account in your FreedomBox so they can communicate with each other within a controlled (by you) environment.

    • This scenario isn't perfect but provides good privacy. Yet they still need to trust each other and you.
    • Accessing FreedomBox webclient though Tor or a virtual private network, etc improves it.

    • End-to-end encryption in capable local clients connecting to your FreedomBox might fix their need to trust you.

  • Connect to other trusted FreedomBoxes and their users.

    • In this case you still need to trust the network interconnecting both FreedomBoxes. Some improvements are planned but still pending.

FreedomBox Email Server solution provides both spam and antivirus filtering features.

Installing the Email Server

First of all you need to go to the Apps menu.

If already installed, the Email Server will be shown above the Disabled line. This is likely not your case, but if it is, that means that the Email Server is already installed, so this chapter isn't for you and you ought to jump to the next one.

  • Email Server enabled

If the Email Server is shown among the icons below the Disabled line, it is either not yet installed or it is currently disabled. This is the usual starting status.

  • Email Server disabled

Select the Email Server app. You are presented with the Email Server app page. If not installed yet you'll be shown the Install button. Click on it!

  • Due to a known bug you might get this error

This is due to other email server present (usually exim4)

  • Despite the message suggesting held packages, another usual cause is that there's already another email server installed in the system, usually exim4 in Debian systems.

    Usually it is there by default but you don't need it so you can just uninstall it. This can be done accessing your FreedomBox via SSH and running  sudo apt remove exim4-config exim4-daemon-light 

  • Then you can try again

    Email Server app page

This will trigger the installation process.

  • Installation installing sw packages Installation running post-processes

After installing all needed software packages, configuring them, etc FreedomBox will tell you that the installation is successful and the app page will show additional content like the port information and several feature configuration forms organized by means of tabs.

  • Email Server page as just installed

Next time you go to the Apps Menu it will show the Email Server enabled (above the disabled line).

Configuring the Email Server

The minimal configuration needed is at the Domains tab.

  • Domains tab at Email Server app page

Using the Email server

With FreedomBox Webmail Client (RoundCube)

RoundCube email client is provided by FreedomBox so once both are installed, you can host a complete webmail setup for you and your friends.

The following ought to be solved out of the box fairly soon, but currently we still need to tweek a text-file (/etc/roundcube/config.inc.php) to make it work with FreedomBox as email server. The file is restricted so you need to access it as admin user. Fix these settings:

$config['default_host'] = 'ssl://freedombox';
$config['smtp_server'] = 'ssl://freedombox';
$config['smtp_port'] = 465;

Notes:

  • You can edit the file with nano text editor: sudo nano /etc/roundcube/config.inc.php.

  • ssl:// is required;

  • Replace freedombox with the server's domain name, if you have set another one. It must match your TLS certificate.

Troubleshooting

How to debug an action script failure? How to access the system log?

Open a secure shell connection to your FreedomBox. Type sudo journalctl -b -o short-monotonic --no-pager

  • -b show journal entries since boot

  • -o short-monotonic use short timestamp format

  • --no-pager make it easier to copy and paste

Why does the server say "relay access denied"?

This is because Postfix was not aware of the email domain. To add an email domain,

  • Log into the Plinth web interface as an admin
  • Go to Email Server > Domains

  • Edit $mydestination (make sure your email domain is listed in the variable)

  • Click Update

Technical info and feedback discussion

There are drafts for a video and its slides for a technical presentation at Debconf21.

This salsa issue is driving the implementation. Feel free to join discussions and provide technical ideas.

Providing user feedback

Please provide your feedback on usage on this forum thread.

Back to Features introduction or manual pages.

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