Postfix Mail Server Course

The course is designed to provide the information needed to set up a Postfix Mail Server, labs that can be performed on a practice server, flash movies that demonstrate configuration of Postfix, live virtual classroom sessions with an instructor and each student is provided a practice server. The Postfix Mail Server course is 8 weeks long, performed one-on-one for each student so that it can be taken at any time.

Information - 1300 pages of training
The class provides each student with 3 manuals.  The first manual is a 300 page 11x8.5" lay flat manual for Postifx with step by step configuration.  The second manual contains over 500 pages of documentation for setting up and maintaining a server.  This manual is a detailed manual with over 40 labs.  The third manual is also over 500 pages and is provided to demonstrate step by step configuration for other services you many need on the mail server such as DNS.

Labs - over 100 Labs
The labs are provided to give you step-by-step references on how to configure a server and how to set up Postfix. About 25 labs are specific to Postfix while the other 80+ labs are a reference to security, sever set up or other services that may be required.

Flash Movies
Each student is provided a CD which will allow them to watch Flash Movies with voice to demonstrate how to set up and maintain a Postfix server.

Live Virtual Classroom
Students will have one-on-one sessions with an instructor to demonstrate Postfix configuration and so that students can ask questions.  These virtual classrooms allow students to talk to the instructor using our voice server and allow them to watch live demonstrations on a live server.

Live Practice Server
Students are each provided a server to work on during the class.  They will have root access so that they can build a Postfix Mail Server.  The instructor can then login and evaluate the server and verify the student's settings.  Each student will be provided a practice server for 8 weeks.

Related Postfix Training
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Postfix Mail Server Design
Control SPAM with Postfix

Postfix Mailbox Changes
Postfix Mail Gateway
Postfix Mail Server Course
Postfix Mail Statistics

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Introduction to Mail Servers
The Introduction describes the theory and structure of how mail is transferred on the Internet.

Postfix Design
The modular design is described with a focus on how mail is transported within Postfix in order to understand the process and path of mail within Postfix.

Basic Configuration
There are several key features that must be set correctly for Postfix to run, including making Postfix the default server, setting the identity  of the server, configuring network settings and aliases needed for Postfix.  Once that is complete the course demonstrates ways to check the configuration.  This section concludes with methods for evaluating logs, mail limits, queue management and a list of Postfix commands.  Special attention is given to the description of Lookup Tables and Maps which Postfix uses to read information and settings.

SMTP Restrictions
Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) defines the way may is transferred between mail servers.  Requiring mail servers to follow standards that are set reduces SPAM on the Postfix server.  These restrictions which when they are instituted will dramatically reduce the amount of SPAM on your mail server.  These restrictions include, communication in the envelope, restrictions on hostname, recipient restrictions, restrictions on the envelope sender,requisition of an existing domain, restrictions on the envelope recipient, and recipient names.  Managing these restrictions correctly will save resources, thus money, when employing a Postfix Mail Server.

Control Relays
Relay control is a way to restrict who can send mail through your mail server and is an important step in protecting Postfix from sending SPAM.

Controlling SPAM
Specific methods of controlling SPAM are discussed in tis section.  SPAM control methods include; client detection rules, forged addresses, non-routable networks, blackholes, and address sender verification.

Cyrus-Imap
Cyrus-Imap is a secure but difficult Mail Delivery Agent (MDA) that is discussed in detail.  This section covers basic installation, the admin user, creating users, administering users, access control lists, logins, realms, mailbox quotas, sasld authentication, troubleshooting, authentication failure, tcp_wrappers and SELinux.

Dovecot
Dovecot is the secure alternative to Cyrus-IMAP and this section will demonstrate how to configure and employ Dovecot in various situations.

IMAP and SquirrelMail Install
Web based mail is a popular choice and SqurrelMail is one of the easiest alternatives to configure for web based email.  This section will discuss the requirements, configuration and settings for SquirrelMail.

Hosting Multiple Domains
Configuring Postfix for multiple domains is an important task as it is a common requirement.  This section will describe the steps to separate domains with virtual accounts, create virtual ownership, using virtual domain aliases, creating users, setting IP configurations and providing the configuration required for Cyrus-IMAP or Dovecot to host multiple domains.

Mailbox Locations
There may be times when you will want to reconfigure default mailbox locations.  This section will describe the options and demonstrate how to set them up.

Mobile Users and SMTP Authentication
One of the features of a mail server that you will want to configure is to allow users to authenticate to the mail server from any location.  This section describes how to configure that option so that qualified users may authenticate and receive mail from anywhere.  This section includes SASL authentication, server-side authentication, and relay permissions.

SMTP AUTH and Microsoft Outlook Express
The popular use of Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express may require you to configure your Postfix Mail Server to be able to service these clients.  This section show you how to set that up.

Intro to TLS and SSL
Transport Layer Security (TLS) and SSL are options to provide encrypted email and logins.  This section will show you the differences and demonstrate how to configure TLS the more secure option.  This will include configuring Dovecot, SquirrelMail, Zimbra Desktop and other client options.

Provide SPAM and Virus Control
Amavisd is configured to provide an option to scan for SPAM and virus activity when mail arrives on the Postfix server.  This section will describe the installation of SpamAssassin, ClamAV, the configuration of Perl modules needed for Amavisd, SpamAssassin rules, how to modify SPAM rules, discard SPAM, tests, and virus signature updates as well as whitelists and blacklists for SPAM.

Postfix Mail Gateway
Postfix is commonly used to create a secure Gateway for Microsoft Exchange servers.  This section will show you how to set that up and to secure it for safety.  It will also include how to set up a Virtualized Mail Gateway.

Postfix Statistics
This section will demonstrate scripts that can be run to gather statistics for the mail server.  This will provide you with detailed information about specific users and how they are using their mail.

Postfix Security
The mail server is in a very hostile environment.  This section will show you how protect your mail server for various kinds of attack.  It will also discuss how to limit attacks by limiting country subnets.

Create a chroot Jail
This section will show you how to set up the chroot jail for Postfix.  You will also see how to use SELInux or AppArmor to protect the mail server.

Troubleshooting
Specific and common problems are discussed in this troubleshooting section.
Problem: virtual_alias.db Does Not Exist
Problem: Wrong Transport
Problem: No Local Recipient Maps for Virtual Domains