From 78b9af9acc432660d010f5f978fd513b920f69f9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Brathaban <102550264@student.swin.edu.au> Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2025 01:28:06 +1100 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] Add files via upload --- SNMP mail.txt | 3598 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 3598 insertions(+) create mode 100644 SNMP mail.txt diff --git a/SNMP mail.txt b/SNMP mail.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98bd94e --- /dev/null +++ b/SNMP mail.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3598 @@ + SMTP mail + + + + + +I dont need to set up if I just want to see the email from my phone gmail app or it is a must set up +Copilot said: +Copilot +Yes — even if you just want to see the email on your phone's Gmail app, you still need to set up email sending on your server or PC. + +📌 Why Setup Is Required +Your cron job uses: + + + + +Shell +mail -s "test" joannanatti@gmail.com +This command sends an email from your local machine, so your system needs a way to actually deliver that email to Gmail's servers. That’s where tools like sendmail, postfix, or mailutils come in. + +✅ What You Need to Do +Install a mail agent (if not already installed): + + + + +Shell +sudo apt install mailutils +Configure it to send mail: + +For simple setups, mailutils can use your system’s default mail relay. +For reliable delivery to Gmail, you may need to configure SMTP (e.g., using Gmail’s SMTP server with authentication). +Test it manually: + + + + +Shell +echo "Hello from cron!" | mail -s "Test Email" joannanatti@gmail.com +If you skip setup, the mail command will likely fail silently or queue the message without sending it. + +Would you like help setting up Gmail SMTP or checking if your system can send mail already? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +No configuration: + │ Should be chosen to leave the current configuration unchanged. + │ Internet site: + │ Mail is sent and received directly using SMTP. + │ Internet with smarthost: + │ Mail is received directly using SMTP or by running a utility such + │ as fetchmail. Outgoing mail is sent using a smarthost. + │ Satellite system: + │ All mail is sent to another machine, called a 'smarthost', for + │ delivery. + │ Local only: + │ The only delivered mail is the mail for local users. There is no + │ network. + │ + │ +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great — you're seeing the configuration options for Postfix or mailutils during installation. Here's what each option means and what you should choose based on your goal: + +✅ Your Goal: +You want your cron job to send an email to joannanatti@gmail.com, and you want to see it on your phone via Gmail. + +🟢 Recommended Option: Internet Site +Choose: + +Internet site: Mail is sent and received directly using SMTP. +This allows your machine to send mail directly to external addresses like Gmail. +⚠️ Important Notes: +Some ISPs or cloud providers block port 25, which is used for direct SMTP. If that’s the case, you may need to use Internet with smarthost and configure Gmail’s SMTP server. +If you choose Internet Site, your machine will try to send mail directly. It’s simpler but may not always work reliably without DNS and reverse DNS properly set up. +🛠️ Alternative (More Reliable): Internet with smarthost +If direct sending fails, you can switch to this and configure Gmail SMTP like: + + + + +Plain Text +relayhost = [smtp.gmail.com]:587 +Then use your Gmail credentials (with an app password) for authentication. + +Would you like help testing email delivery after choosing Internet Site, or setting up Gmail SMTP if needed? + + + + + + + + +Screenshot 2025-10-03 144314.png +You said: + +cud not click any or go anywhere +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for sharing the screenshot — it shows the Postfix configuration dialog during installation, but it looks like you're stuck because you can't click or proceed. + +🛠️ Here's how to fix it: +This screen is part of a text-based interface (usually debconf) in the terminal. You need to use keyboard navigation: + +✅ Use These Keys: +Arrow keys (↑ and ↓) to move between options. +Tab to switch between the options list and the button. +Enter to confirm your selection. +Example: +Use ↓ to highlight Internet Site. +Press Tab to move to . +Press Enter to confirm. +🧩 If the screen is frozen or unresponsive: +Try pressing: + + + + +Shell +Ctrl + C +to cancel, then re-run the installation: + + + + +Shell +sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix +Would you like help choosing the best option for your setup again or re-running the configuration? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +wow no key working, stuck +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for the update — if no keys are working and you're stuck on the Postfix configuration screen, here are a few ways to recover: + +🛠️ Option 1: Force Exit +Press: + + + + +Shell +Ctrl + C +This should cancel the configuration and return you to the shell. + +🛠️ Option 2: Kill the Process +If Ctrl + C doesn’t work, open another terminal and run: + + + + +Shell +ps aux | grep postfix +Find the process ID (PID) of the stuck configuration and kill it: + + + + +Shell +sudo kill -9 +🛠️ Option 3: Reconfigure Later +Once you're out of the stuck screen, you can re-run the configuration with: + + + + +Shell +sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix +This will bring back the same dialog, and you can try again using arrow keys, Tab, and Enter. + +Would you like help setting up a minimal mail configuration that works with Gmail, or do you want to skip email and log output to a file instead? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +what are the process id ? --- brathaban@Brath1:~$ ps -aux | grep postfix +root 4924 0.0 0.0 0 0 pts/1 Z+ 14:42 0:00 [postfix.config.] +brathab+ 5136 0.0 0.0 7008 2304 pts/2 R+ 14:53 0:00 grep --color=auto postfix +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for sharing the output. Here's what it means: + +🔍 Process List Breakdown + + + +Shell +root 4924 0.0 0.0 0 0 pts/1 Z+ 14:42 0:00 [postfix.config.] +brathab+ 5136 0.0 0.0 7008 2304 pts/2 R+ 14:53 0:00 grep --color=auto postfix +🧠 Key Points: +PID 4924 is the one you're interested in. +It's marked as — meaning it's a zombie process. It has finished execution but hasn't been cleaned up by its parent process. +✅ What You Can Do +You can try killing the parent process or restarting the terminal session: + +1. Find the parent of the zombie process: + + + +Shell +ps -o ppid= -p 4924 +This gives you the PPID (Parent Process ID). + +2. Kill the parent process (if safe): + + + +Shell +sudo kill -9 +⚠️ Be careful not to kill critical system processes. If unsure, just restart the terminal or reboot. + +3. Reboot (Safe Option): +If you're stuck and nothing works: + + + + +Shell +sudo reboot +Would you like help identifying the parent process or safely restarting just the terminal session? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +fpund parent killed, still there +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for confirming — if you've already killed the parent process and the zombie process is still showing, that's expected behavior. Here's why: + +🧠 What’s Happening: +A zombie process () is a process that has finished execution but still exists in the process table because its parent hasn't properly cleaned it up. +Even if you kill the parent, the zombie may remain until the system clears it — usually when the shell or terminal session ends. +✅ What You Can Do: +1. Safest Option: Reboot +This will clean up all zombie processes: + + + + +Shell +sudo reboot +2. Close the Terminal Session +If the zombie is tied to your current shell, closing the terminal window or logging out may remove it. + +3. Ignore It Temporarily +If it's not causing issues, you can ignore it — the system will eventually clean it up. + +Would you like help restarting safely or checking if Postfix was installed correctly despite the freeze? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ok so I have to sudo apt install mailutils again +Copilot said: +Copilot +Yes, if the Postfix setup got interrupted or stuck, it's a good idea to run: + + + + +Shell +sudo apt install mailutils +again. This will: + +Re-trigger the configuration dialog (Postfix setup). +Ensure all required mail components are installed properly. +📝 Tips Before You Run It Again: +Make sure your terminal is responsive. +Use arrow keys, Tab, and Enter to navigate the dialog. +Choose Internet Site if you want to send mail directly to Gmail. +If it still freezes or fails, I can help you install and configure an alternative like msmtp or set up Gmail SMTP manually. Want to try that if this doesn't work? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +like can i make sure its there or not +Copilot said: +Copilot +Yes, you can check whether mailutils is installed without reinstalling it by running: + + + + +Shell +dpkg -l | grep mailutils +✅ If Installed: +You’ll see a line like: + +ii mailutils 1:3.4-1 amd64 GNU mailutils utilities for handling mail +❌ If Not Installed: +You’ll see no output, or just a prompt return. + +🛠️ Alternative Check: +You can also try running: + + + + +Shell +which mail +If it returns a path like /usr/bin/mail, then the mail command is available. + +Would you like help verifying if it's working correctly by sending a test email? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ok I run installation but im pretty sure that screen will come again +Copilot said: +Copilot +You're right — running sudo apt install mailutils again will likely bring up the same configuration screen for Postfix. + +Since you were stuck last time, here’s how to prepare and navigate it smoothly: + +✅ Before You Run It Again +Make sure your terminal is responsive — close and reopen it if needed. +Use keyboard navigation: +↑ and ↓ to move between options. +Tab to switch to . +Enter to confirm. +🛠️ If It Freezes Again +If the screen becomes unresponsive again: + +Press Ctrl + C to cancel. +Or reboot with sudo reboot. +Then reconfigure Postfix manually: + + + + +Shell +sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix +Would you like me to walk you through each screen of the Postfix setup so you know what to choose at each step? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ok so before I already stuck and had to leave. so now i can use --- sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix +Copilot said: +Copilot +Yes — now that you've exited the stuck screen, you can safely run: + + + + +Shell +sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix +This will reopen the Postfix configuration dialog and let you choose the correct setup. + +🧭 What to Do When It Opens: +Use ↓ to highlight Internet Site. +Press Tab to move to . +Press Enter to confirm. +Then follow the remaining prompts (e.g., system mail name, root alias) — I can guide you through each step if you'd like. + +Would you like a step-by-step walkthrough of the full Postfix setup screens? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +so if i select internet smtp may be not allowed in my linux? or not allowed outside server? +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great question — here's how it works: + +✅ If You Select Internet Site in Postfix Setup +Your Linux system will try to send mail directly to external mail servers (like Gmail) using SMTP on port 25. + +⚠️ Potential Restrictions +1. Your Linux System Itself +If you're running Linux on a local machine (e.g., at home or university), it might not be blocked. +If you're on a cloud VM (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP), port 25 is often blocked by default to prevent spam. +2. Your Network or ISP +Some ISPs block outbound SMTP traffic on port 25 to reduce spam. +University or corporate networks may also restrict this. +🛠️ How to Check If SMTP Is Allowed +You can test with: + + + + +Shell +telnet smtp.gmail.com 25 +If it hangs or fails to connect, port 25 is likely blocked. + +✅ Alternative: Use Gmail's SMTP (Smarthost Setup) +If direct SMTP is blocked, you can choose Internet with smarthost and configure Gmail’s SMTP server: + +Server: smtp.gmail.com +Port: 587 +Auth: Gmail username + app password +Would you like help setting up Gmail SMTP with Postfix for reliable delivery? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +what if telnet is blocked? might be not the best way to test? +Copilot said: +Copilot +You're absolutely right to question whether telnet is the best way to test SMTP connectivity — it's a classic method, but it's not always reliable or available. + +🧠 Why Telnet Might Be Blocked or Misleading: +Many systems don’t have telnet installed by default. +Port 25 (SMTP) is often blocked by cloud providers or firewalls, so even if telnet works, it doesn’t guarantee mail will be delivered. +Gmail and other providers may reject unauthenticated or improperly formatted SMTP connections. +✅ Better Alternatives to Test SMTP Connectivity +1. Use openssl to test Gmail SMTP (Port 587) + + + +Shell +openssl s_client -starttls smtp -connect smtp.gmail.com:587 +This tests a secure connection to Gmail’s SMTP server. + +2. Use swaks (Swiss Army Knife for SMTP) +Install it: + + + + +Shell +sudo apt install swaks +Then test: + + + + +Shell +swaks --to joannanatti@gmail.com --server smtp.gmail.com --port 587 --auth LOGIN --auth-user your@gmail.com --auth-password your_app_password +Replace your_app_password with a Gmail App Password, not your regular password. + +Would you like help setting up Gmail SMTP with Postfix using secure authentication? That’s the most reliable way to ensure your cron job emails reach your inbox. + + + + + + + + +You said: + +no lets telnet to something else and see +Copilot said: +Copilot +Perfect — let’s test connectivity to a different SMTP server using telnet. + +✅ Example: Test Outlook's SMTP Server +Try this in your terminal: + + + + +Shell +telnet smtp.office365.com 587 +If it connects, you'll see something like: + +Trying 40.97.142.34... +Connected to smtp.office365.com. +Escape character is '^]'. +220 outlook.office365.com Microsoft ESMTP MAIL Service ready... +If it hangs or fails, then outbound SMTP (port 587) might be blocked by your network or system. + +🧪 Other SMTP Servers You Can Try +Provider Server Port +Gmail smtp.gmail.com 587 +Outlook smtp.office365.com 587 +Yahoo smtp.mail.yahoo.com 587 +Zoho smtp.zoho.com 587 +Would you like help interpreting the result once you run the test? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +no. we want to check if telnet is good to test smtp. so we must telnet some possible thing other than smtp +Copilot said: +Copilot +Got it — you're testing whether telnet is a good tool to check general connectivity, not just SMTP. + +✅ Yes, Telnet Can Be Used to Test Other Services Too +Here are a few examples of how you can use telnet to test different types of connections: + +🔹 1. HTTP (Web Server) + + + +Shell +telnet example.com 80 +If it connects, you can type: +GET / HTTP/1.1 +Host: example.com + +You'll get a raw HTTP response. +🔹 2. SSH (Port 22) + + + +Shell +telnet yourserver.com 22 +If it connects, you'll see something like: +SSH-2.0-OpenSSH_8.2 +🔹 3. DNS (Port 53) + + + +Shell +telnet 8.8.8.8 53 +This tests if you can reach Google's DNS server. +🔹 4. SMTP (Port 25 or 587) + + + +Shell +telnet smtp.gmail.com 587 +As discussed earlier, this checks mail server connectivity. +🧪 Summary: +Telnet is useful for basic TCP connectivity tests, but: + +It doesn’t support encryption (e.g., TLS). +It’s not installed by default on many systems. +It’s being replaced by tools like nc (netcat), curl, or openssl. +Would you like to try one of these alternatives for more advanced testing? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +brathaban@Brath1:~$ telnet smtp.gmail.com 25 +Trying 142.251.12.108... +Trying 2404:6800:4003:c0f::6d... +telnet: Unable to connect to remote host: Network is unreachable +brathaban@Brath1:~$ telnet example.com 80 +Trying 23.192.228.80... +Connected to example.com. +Escape character is '^]'. +GET / HTTP/1.1 +Host: example.com +HTTP/1.0 408 Request Time-out +Server: AkamaiGHost +Mime-Version: 1.0 +Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2025 05:45:20 GMT +Content-Type: text/html +Content-Length: 314 +Expires: Fri, 03 Oct 2025 05:45:20 GMT + + +Request Timeout + +

Request Timeout

+The server timed out while waiting for the browser's request.

+Reference #2.5ca33017.1759470320.0 +

https://errors.edgesuite.net/2.5ca33017.1759470320.0

+ +Connection closed by foreign host. +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for running those tests — they clearly show how telnet behaves in different scenarios: + +✅ Summary of Your Results +1. Telnet to Gmail SMTP (Port 25) + + + +Shell +telnet smtp.gmail.com 25 +Result: Network is unreachable +Conclusion: Port 25 is likely blocked by your network or cloud provider (very common). +2. Telnet to example.com (Port 80) + + + +Shell +telnet example.com 80 +Result: Connected successfully and got an HTTP response. +Conclusion: Telnet works fine for testing basic TCP connectivity to open ports. +🧠 Final Verdict: Is Telnet Good for Testing SMTP? +✅ Yes, telnet is a valid tool to test basic TCP connectivity to SMTP servers. +❌ But it's not sufficient to test full email delivery, especially with modern secure SMTP (TLS, authentication). +🔐 For Gmail and other secure providers, tools like openssl, swaks, or configuring Postfix with SMTP relay are better. +Would you like to move forward with setting up Gmail SMTP securely for your cron job emails? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +so smtp is blocked in the vm +Memory updated +Memory updated +Copilot said: +Copilot +✅ Confirmed — based on your telnet test to smtp.gmail.com on port 25, SMTP is blocked on your VM. + +This is very common, especially on cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, or GCP, where port 25 is blocked to prevent spam. + +🛠️ What You Can Do Next +If you still want to send emails from your VM (e.g., from cron jobs), you can: + +✅ Use Gmail's SMTP via Port 587 (with authentication) +Requires setting up Postfix or msmtp with: +Gmail SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com +Port: 587 +TLS: Yes +Gmail username and App Password +Would you like help setting up Gmail SMTP securely with Postfix or a simpler tool like msmtp? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +so u can telnet into http not https +Copilot said: +Copilot +Exactly — you can use telnet to test HTTP (port 80), but not HTTPS (port 443). + +🔍 Why Telnet Works for HTTP but Not HTTPS: +HTTP (port 80) is plain text — you can manually type requests and see responses. +HTTPS (port 443) is encrypted — telnet can't handle TLS/SSL encryption, so it can't interpret or initiate secure connections. +✅ For HTTPS Testing, Use These Instead: +openssl: + + + + +Shell +openssl s_client -connect example.com:443 +This initiates a secure TLS handshake and shows certificate info. + +curl: + + + + +Shell +curl https://example.com +This fetches the page securely and shows the response. + +nc (netcat): Can be used for low-level testing, but still not suitable for encrypted HTTPS unless combined with openssl. + +Would you like to try testing an HTTPS connection with openssl or curl next? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ssh also for https +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great observation — let's clarify the difference: + +🔐 SSH vs HTTPS +Protocol Purpose Port Encryption Telnet Testable? +SSH Secure remote login to servers 22 Yes (strong encryption) ✅ You can test basic connectivity with telnet +HTTPS Secure web browsing 443 Yes (TLS/SSL) ❌ Telnet cannot handle encryption +✅ Telnet to SSH (Port 22) +You can use telnet to test if port 22 is open: + + + + +Shell +telnet yourserver.com 22 +If it connects, you'll see something like: + +SSH-2.0-OpenSSH_8.2 +But you cannot use telnet to actually log in via SSH, because SSH requires encryption and authentication that telnet doesn't support. + +❌ Telnet to HTTPS (Port 443) +You cannot use telnet to test HTTPS because it’s encrypted. You’ll just see gibberish or nothing at all. + +To test HTTPS, use: + + + + +Shell +openssl s_client -connect example.com:443 +Would you like to try testing SSH or HTTPS connectivity now? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ssh into https? +Copilot said: +Copilot +Ah, I see what you're asking — you're wondering if SSH can be used to access HTTPS, or if they're somehow related. + +🔍 Clarifying the Difference: +Protocol Purpose Port Use Case +SSH (Secure Shell) Remote login to servers 22 Used to securely access and manage servers (e.g., Linux VMs) +HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) Secure web browsing 443 Used to access websites securely in browsers +✅ Can You "SSH into HTTPS"? +No — SSH and HTTPS are completely different protocols: + +You SSH into a server to manage it via command line. +You access HTTPS via a browser or tools like curl, wget, or openssl. +They both use encryption, but they serve totally different purposes and run on different ports. + +✅ What You Can Do: +You can SSH into a server and then use tools like curl or wget from that server to access HTTPS endpoints. +You can also host an HTTPS website on a server you manage via SSH. +Would you like help testing HTTPS access from your VM or setting up a secure web server? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +so I cannot select internet host, I need to select internet with smart host +Copilot said: +Copilot +Yes — based on your earlier test (telnet smtp.gmail.com 25), SMTP on port 25 is blocked on your VM. That means: + +❌ You should not select "Internet Site" in Postfix setup. +Instead: + +✅ Select "Internet with smarthost" +This option allows your system to: + +Send mail via a relay server (like Gmail’s SMTP on port 587). +Bypass the blocked port 25 issue. +Use secure, authenticated delivery. +🛠️ What You'll Need to Configure: +Gmail SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com +Port: 587 +TLS: Yes +Gmail username +Gmail App Password (not your regular password) +Would you like help configuring Postfix with Gmail as a smarthost? I can walk you through each step. + + + + + + + + +You said: + +bypass 25 via relay server? so which port is going to be used now +Copilot said: +Copilot +Exactly — when you use “Internet with smarthost” in Postfix, it bypasses port 25 and instead uses a different port, typically: + +✅ Port 587 — for secure, authenticated SMTP +This is the standard port for sending mail via a relay server (like Gmail), using: + +STARTTLS encryption +Username/password authentication +🔒 Why Port 587 Works: +Most cloud providers (like Azure, AWS) block port 25 to prevent spam. +Port 587 is intended for client-to-server email submission, and it's usually open. +🧠 Summary: +Setup Option Port Used Requires Auth Works on Cloud VMs +Internet Site 25 No ❌ Often blocked +Internet with Smarthost 587 ✅ Yes ✅ Recommended +Would you like help configuring Postfix to use Gmail’s SMTP on port 587 with authentication? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +Relay server port vs smtp port +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great question — let’s clarify the difference between SMTP port and relay server port: + +🔹 SMTP Port +This refers to the port used for sending email using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. + +Port Purpose +25 Traditional SMTP port for server-to-server email delivery. Often blocked on cloud VMs. +587 Modern SMTP port for client-to-server email submission. Supports STARTTLS encryption. +465 Legacy port for SMTP over SSL. Still used by some providers. +🔹 Relay Server Port +When you configure Postfix to use a relay server (like Gmail), you're telling it to send mail through another server — and that server uses one of the SMTP ports listed above. + +So in practice: + +The relay server port is the SMTP port used to connect to the relay. +For Gmail, the relay server is smtp.gmail.com, and the port is 587. +🧠 Summary: +SMTP port is a general term for ports used by the SMTP protocol. +Relay server port is the specific SMTP port used to connect to your chosen relay (e.g., Gmail uses 587). +Would you like help configuring Postfix to use Gmail’s relay on port 587? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +The 'mail name' is the domain name used to 'qualify' _ALL_ mail addresses without a domain name. This includes │ + │ mail to and from : please do not make your machine send out mail from root@example.org unless │ + │ root@example.org has told you to. │ + │ │ + │ This name will also be used by other programs. It should be the single, fully qualified domain name (FQDN). │ + │ │ + │ Thus, if a mail address on the local host is foo@example.org, the correct value for this option would be │ + │ example.org. │ + │ │ + │ System mail name: │ + │ │ + │ Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net______________________________________________________ +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for sharing the screen content — you're at the Postfix setup step where it's asking for the system mail name. + +🧠 What Is "System Mail Name"? +It’s the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) that Postfix will use to "qualify" local email addresses (like root, cron, etc.) when sending mail externally. + +For example: + +If your system sends mail from root, and your mail name is example.com, the sender becomes root@example.com. +✅ What Should You Enter? +Since you're on a cloud VM and using a relay server (like Gmail), you can safely enter something like: + + + + +Plain Text +brathaban.local +or + + + + +Plain Text +brathaban.example.com +It doesn’t need to be a real domain unless you're hosting mail for that domain. It just needs to be consistent and not misleading (e.g., don’t use gmail.com unless you own it). + +⚠️ Avoid Using: +The long internal cloud domain like Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net — it's fine technically, but messy and not meaningful for external mail. +Would you like help choosing a clean mail name or configuring Gmail as your relay next? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +─────────────────────────────────────────────┤ Postfix Configuration ├─────────────────────────────────────────────┐ + │ Please specify a domain, host, host:port, [address] or [address]:port. Use the form [destination] to turn off MX │ + │ lookups. Leave this blank for no relay host. │ + │ │ + │ Do not specify more than one host. │ + │ │ + │ The relayhost parameter specifies the default external host to send mail to when no entry is matched in the │ + │ optional transport(5) table. When no relay host is given, mail is routed directly to the destination. │ + │ │ + │ SMTP relay host (blank for none): │ + │ │ + │ smtp.brath1.local________________________________________________________________________________________________ │ +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for sharing the next screen — you're now at the SMTP relay host configuration step in Postfix. + +🧠 What This Field Does: +This is where you tell Postfix which external SMTP server to use to send outgoing mail — especially when you're using Internet with smarthost mode. + +✅ What You Should Enter (for Gmail): +If you're using Gmail as your relay, enter: + +[smtp.gmail.com]:587 +The square brackets [] disable MX lookups, which is recommended. +587 is the port used for authenticated, secure SMTP. +⚠️ What You Entered: +smtp.brath1.local +This looks like a local/internal hostname, which won’t work unless you have a mail relay set up on your own network. + +✅ Recommended Action: +Replace smtp.brath1.local with: + +[smtp.gmail.com]:587 +Then later, you'll configure Gmail authentication in /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd. + +Would you like help with the next steps to securely authenticate with Gmail? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +so gmail also gives us mail relay +Copilot said: +Copilot +Yes — Gmail does provide a mail relay service, but only under specific conditions. + +✅ Gmail as a Mail Relay (SMTP Relay) +You can use Gmail’s SMTP server to send mail from your own server or VM, but: + +🔐 Requirements: +You must authenticate using your Gmail account. +You need to use an App Password (not your regular Gmail password). +You must connect to: +smtp.gmail.com:587 +using STARTTLS encryption. +🧠 Why This Works: +Gmail acts as a smarthost — it relays your mail to the final destination. +This bypasses port 25 restrictions and uses port 587, which is usually open. +⚠️ Limitations: +Gmail may limit the number of emails you can send per day. +You must own the Gmail account you're sending from. +You can't spoof other domains unless you're using Google Workspace with domain verification. +Would you like help configuring Postfix to use Gmail as your relay with authentication? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ok done so what i done so far--- brath.local and, smtp.gmail.com:587 +Memory updated +Memory updated +Copilot said: +Copilot +✅ Perfect — you've now configured: + +System mail name: brath.local +Relay host: smtp.gmail.com:587 +This sets up Postfix to send mail through Gmail's SMTP server using port 587, which bypasses the blocked port 25 issue. + +🛠️ Next Steps (if not done yet): +Create authentication file: + + + + +Shell +sudo nano /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd +Add: + +[smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password +Secure the file: + + + + +Shell +sudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd +sudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db +Update Postfix config: Add these to /etc/postfix/main.cf: + + + + +INI +smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes +smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous +smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd +smtp_tls_security_level = encrypt +smtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt +Restart Postfix: + + + + +Shell +sudo systemctl restart postfix +Would you like help verifying it's working by sending a test email from the command line? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ok what is app password ? I can give any +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great question — an App Password is a special password generated by Gmail that allows secure access to your account by apps (like Postfix), without using your main Gmail password. + +🔐 Why You Need an App Password +Gmail blocks access from "less secure apps" using your regular password. +App Passwords are required when using Gmail SMTP with Postfix or other mail clients. +They work only if you have 2-Step Verification enabled on your Gmail account. +✅ How to Get an App Password +Go to: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords +Sign in and verify your identity. +Under "Select app", choose Mail. +Under "Select device", choose Other and type something like Postfix. +Click Generate. +Copy the 16-character password shown — this is your App Password. +You’ll use this in your /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd file like: + +[smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password +❌ You Cannot Just Make One Up +It must be generated by Google — otherwise Gmail will reject the connection. + +Would you like help securing and testing your Postfix setup once you have the App Password? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ok I am using gmail smtp in hidden way but I can send email to any server +Copilot said: +Copilot +Yes — by configuring Postfix to use Gmail's SMTP server (smtp.gmail.com:587), you're now sending email through Gmail as a relay, even though it's happening "in the background." + +✅ What This Means: +Your VM sends mail to Gmail’s SMTP server. +Gmail then relays that mail to any destination (e.g., user@example.com, admin@university.edu, etc.). +You can send mail to any valid email address, as long as Gmail accepts and relays it. +🔒 Important Notes: +Gmail will only relay mail from your authenticated Gmail account. +You can't spoof other domains unless you're using Google Workspace with domain verification. +Gmail may enforce sending limits (e.g., ~500 emails/day for personal accounts). +Would you like to test sending an email now to confirm everything is working? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +Gmail will only relay mail from your authenticated Gmail account--- what do u mean? email comes from vm machine not my gmail? +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great question — let’s clarify how Gmail SMTP works when used as a relay: + +🔐 What “Authenticated Gmail Account” Means +When you configure Postfix to use Gmail’s SMTP server (smtp.gmail.com:587), you must authenticate using your Gmail credentials (via an App Password). This means: + +Gmail knows the mail is coming from your Gmail account, even though it's being sent from your VM. +The "From" address in the email must match (or be allowed by) your Gmail account. +🧠 So Where Does the Email Appear to Come From? +If you send mail using: + + + + +Shell +echo "Hello" | mail -s "Test" someone@example.com +and Postfix is configured to relay through Gmail, the recipient will see something like: + +From: your@gmail.com +Even though the email was sent from your VM, Gmail relays it on behalf of your account, so it appears to come from your Gmail address. + +⚠️ Can You Fake the "From" Address? +Not reliably. Gmail will: + +Rewrite or reject messages with unauthorized "From" addresses. +Require domain verification if you're using Google Workspace and want to send from custom domains. +Would you like to test sending an email now and see how it appears in the recipient’s inbox? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ok if my smtp port opened and done through that, my email will from like brath.local +Copilot said: +Copilot +Exactly — if your VM had SMTP port 25 open and you configured Postfix to send mail directly (without a relay like Gmail), then: + +✅ The email would appear to come from your VM's domain +For example: + +If your system mail name is brath.local +And you send mail from root +Then the recipient would see something like: + +From: root@brath.local +⚠️ But Here's the Catch: +brath.local is not a real, publicly resolvable domain. +Most mail servers (like Gmail, Outlook) will reject or mark it as spam because: +It lacks proper DNS records (like SPF, DKIM, and reverse DNS). +It looks suspicious or unauthenticated. +🛡️ Why Using a Relay (like Gmail) Is Better: +Gmail handles all the DNS, authentication, and reputation. +Your email is more likely to be delivered successfully and not flagged as spam. +Would you like to test sending mail from your VM now and see how it appears in the inbox? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ok if I register my brath.local with my vm public ip address +Copilot said: +Copilot +If you register brath.local to point to your VM's public IP address, you're essentially trying to make your VM's hostname resolvable on the internet. Here's what that means and what it can (and can't) do: + +✅ What You Can Achieve +DNS Resolution: + +If you own a domain and configure DNS to point brath.local to your VM's public IP, then external systems can resolve it. +This helps with email delivery, web hosting, and general server identity. +Improved Email Reputation (if done properly): + +You can set up SPF, DKIM, and reverse DNS records. +This makes your emails look more legitimate and reduces the chance of being marked as spam. +⚠️ Limitations of Using .local +.local is a reserved domain used for local network discovery (e.g., mDNS/Bonjour). +It’s not valid on the public internet — you can't register it with a public DNS provider. +Most mail servers will reject mail from brath.local because it's not a real domain. +✅ Recommended Approach +If you want to send mail directly from your VM (without Gmail), consider: + +Registering a real domain (e.g., brathaban.com) +Setting up DNS records: +A record pointing to your VM’s public IP +PTR (reverse DNS) record +SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email authentication +Would you like help choosing a domain and setting up DNS for email delivery? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +I mean I dont need to own a domain? is that same like paying godaddy to register my brath.loca with vm public ip address +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great question — and you're thinking in the right direction! + +🧠 Here's the key point: +You do need to own a domain if you want to register something like brath.local publicly and associate it with your VM's public IP. + +❌ You Cannot Register .local Domains Publicly +.local is a reserved domain suffix used for local network discovery (e.g., mDNS/Bonjour). +You cannot register brath.local with a public DNS provider like GoDaddy or Cloudflare. +Public DNS systems will not resolve .local domains. +✅ What You Can Do Instead +If you want your VM to send mail directly and be trusted by other mail servers: + +Buy a real domain (e.g., brathaban.com) from GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc. +Set up DNS records: +A record pointing to your VM’s public IP. +PTR (reverse DNS) record — often set via your cloud provider. +SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for email authentication. +This makes your VM look like a legitimate mail server, and your emails are more likely to be delivered successfully. + +Would you like help choosing a domain or setting up DNS records for email delivery? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +so first I buy a domain name in godaddy. then I go to a dns website and enter my domain with my public ip and register? +Copilot said: +Copilot +You're on the right track! Here's how the process works step-by-step: + +✅ Step-by-Step: Registering a Domain and Pointing It to Your VM +1. Buy a Domain Name +Use a registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains. +Example: You buy brathaban.com. +2. Access DNS Settings +After purchase, go to your domain's DNS management panel (usually provided by the registrar). +This is where you configure how your domain behaves. +3. Create DNS Records +To point your domain to your VM: + +A Record: + +Host: @ (or brathaban.com) +Value: Your VM's public IP address +TTL: Default (e.g., 3600 seconds) +Optional Subdomain (e.g., mail.brathaban.com): + +Host: mail +Value: Same public IP +This can be used for mail server identity. +4. (Optional but Recommended) Set Up Email Authentication +If you're sending mail directly from your VM: + +SPF Record: Authorizes your VM to send mail for your domain. +DKIM Record: Signs your mail to prove authenticity. +DMARC Record: Tells receiving servers how to handle unauthenticated mail. +🧠 Summary: +You do need to buy a domain to make it publicly resolvable. +You don’t need a separate DNS provider — GoDaddy includes DNS management. +Once DNS is set, your VM can send mail from user@brathaban.com, and it will look legitimate. +Would you like help setting up the DNS records or configuring Postfix to use your new domain? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +so both buy domain name then create dns record need to happen inside godaddy +Copilot said: +Copilot +Yes — when you buy a domain name from GoDaddy, you can also manage its DNS records directly within GoDaddy. You do not need a separate DNS provider unless you want more advanced DNS features. + +✅ Here's What Happens Inside GoDaddy: +Buy the domain (e.g., brathaban.com). +Go to GoDaddy's DNS Management Panel for that domain. +Create DNS records like: +A Record: Points your domain to your VM’s public IP. +MX Record: If you want to receive mail. +SPF, DKIM, DMARC: For email authentication (optional but recommended). +🧠 Summary: +You buy the domain and configure DNS all inside GoDaddy. +No need to use Cloudflare, Route53, or other DNS services unless you want extra control. +Would you like help setting up the A record or SPF for your VM once you’ve bought the domain? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +so lets say I want to create mx in godaddy +Copilot said: +Copilot +Perfect — if you want to create an MX record in GoDaddy, here’s how you can do it step-by-step: + +✅ Steps to Create an MX Record in GoDaddy +Log in to your GoDaddy account. +Go to My Products and find your domain (e.g., brathaban.com). +Click DNS or Manage DNS next to your domain. +Scroll down to the Records section. +Click Add and choose MX from the dropdown. +📝 Fill in the MX Record Details: +Field Value +Host @ (means the root domain) +Points to Mail server address (e.g., smtp.gmail.com or your own mail server) +Priority 10 (lower number = higher priority) +TTL Default (e.g., 1 hour or 3600 seconds) +If you're using Gmail (Google Workspace), the MX records are different — let me know if that's the case. + +🔍 What MX Records Do: +They tell other mail servers where to deliver incoming mail for your domain. +If you're only sending mail (not receiving), MX records are not required. +Would you like help setting up MX records for Gmail or for your own VM-based mail server? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +lets say in postfix instead of doing brath.local, I did brath.abc +Copilot said: +Copilot +If you set your Postfix system mail name to brath.abc instead of brath.local, here's what changes: + +🧠 What the Mail Name Affects +The system mail name is used to "qualify" local email addresses. For example: + +If you send mail from root, Postfix will treat it as root@brath.abc. +✅ Is brath.abc Valid? +Technically yes, Postfix will accept it. +But brath.abc is not a real domain unless you register it. +Most external mail servers (like Gmail, Outlook) will reject or flag mail from unregistered or non-resolvable domains. +✅ Best Practice +If you want your mail to be trusted and delivered reliably: + +Use a real, registered domain (e.g., brathaban.com). +Set your system mail name to match that domain. +Configure DNS records (SPF, DKIM, etc.) to authenticate your mail. +Would you like help updating your Postfix config to use a real domain once you register it? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +okay lets say brath.com +Copilot said: +Copilot +Perfect — if you use brath.com as your domain name in Postfix, you're now aligning your mail server with a real, publicly resolvable domain, which is ideal for reliable email delivery. + +✅ What You Can Do with brath.com: +Set your Postfix system mail name to: + +brath.com +Configure DNS records in GoDaddy: + +A Record: Point brath.com to your VM’s public IP. +MX Record: If you want to receive mail. +SPF Record: Authorize your VM to send mail for brath.com. +DKIM & DMARC: Improve trust and reduce spam filtering. +Send mail from addresses like: + +root@brath.com +noreply@brath.com +🧠 Why This Is Better Than .local or .abc: +brath.com is a real domain, so other mail servers can verify it. +You can set up proper authentication and reputation. +Your emails are more likely to be delivered successfully and not marked as spam. +Would you like help setting up the DNS records for brath.com or configuring Postfix to use it properly? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +in mx record name I put +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great — you're now setting up an MX record for your domain (e.g., brath.com) in GoDaddy. + +✅ What to Enter in the “Name” Field of the MX Record +In GoDaddy’s DNS panel, when adding an MX record: + +Field What to Enter +Name @ (this means the root domain, i.e., brath.com) +Value The mail server address (e.g., mail.brath.com or smtp.gmail.com if using Gmail) +Priority 10 (lower number = higher priority) +TTL Default (e.g., 1 hour or 3600 seconds) +🧠 Why Use @ in the Name Field? +@ tells GoDaddy that this MX record applies to the main domain (brath.com). +If you want to set up mail for a subdomain (like support.brath.com), you’d enter support instead. +Would you like help choosing the right mail server value for the MX record based on whether you're using Gmail, your own VM, or another provider? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +then after that I can startb sending emails from brath@brathaban.com +Copilot said: +Copilot +Yes — once you've: + +Bought the domain (e.g., brathaban.com), +Set up DNS records (like A, MX, SPF), +Configured Postfix to use brathaban.com as your system mail name, +you can start sending emails from addresses like: + +brath@brathaban.com +✅ What Makes This Work: +Your domain is publicly resolvable. +Your DNS records support email delivery. +Postfix is configured to send mail either directly or via a relay (like Gmail). +🧪 Next Steps: +Would you like help sending a test email from brath@brathaban.com to verify everything is working? Or setting up SPF/DKIM to improve deliverability? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +so u remember before I had to configure [smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password, sudo nano /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd because I was using gmail relay. but now I started using smtp and opening port 25 so now what configurations needed locally +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great — now that you're no longer using Gmail as a relay and instead sending mail directly via SMTP on port 25, your Postfix configuration needs to be adjusted accordingly. + +✅ What You No Longer Need: +You do not need /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd or Gmail credentials. +You do not need smtp.gmail.com:587 as your relay host. +🛠️ What You Need to Configure Locally: +1. Remove or Comment Out Gmail Relay Settings +In /etc/postfix/main.cf, remove or comment out: + + + + +INI +relayhost = [smtp.gmail.com]:587 +smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes +smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd +smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous +smtp_tls_security_level = encrypt +smtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt +2. Set Your Own Domain +Make sure your system mail name matches your domain: + + + + +INI +myhostname = mail.brathaban.com +mydomain = brathaban.com +myorigin = $mydomain +3. Enable Direct SMTP Delivery +Postfix will now deliver mail directly to recipient servers using DNS MX lookups. + +4. Set Up DNS Records +On GoDaddy: + +A Record: mail.brathaban.com → your VM’s public IP +PTR Record: Reverse DNS (set via your cloud provider) +SPF Record: Authorize your VM to send mail for brathaban.com +DKIM & DMARC: Optional but recommended +✅ Final Step: Restart Postfix + + + +Shell +sudo systemctl restart postfix +Would you like help verifying your DNS records or sending a test email to confirm it's working? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +why I never had to use pop3 or imap settings throughout the process +Copilot said: +Copilot +Excellent question — the reason you never had to use POP3 or IMAP settings throughout your email setup process is because: + +🧠 POP3 and IMAP Are for Receiving Email +You’ve been focused on sending email using Postfix, which uses SMTP. + +Protocol Purpose Used in Your Setup? +SMTP Sending email ✅ Yes — via Gmail relay or direct SMTP +POP3 Downloading email from a server ❌ Not needed unless you're receiving mail +IMAP Syncing email across devices ❌ Not needed unless you're receiving mail +✅ Why You Didn't Need POP3/IMAP: +You’re not setting up a mail client (like Thunderbird or Outlook). +You’re not trying to receive mail on your VM. +Your focus is on sending mail from cron jobs, scripts, or Postfix. +🛠️ When You Would Need POP3 or IMAP: +If you want to receive mail sent to brath@brathaban.com on your VM. +If you're setting up a full mail server (e.g., with Dovecot). +If you want to read incoming mail from your domain using a mail client. +Would you like help setting up mail reception (POP3/IMAP) or just stick with sending for now? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +but in godaddy DNS management portal I set up mx and my vm public ip to recieve +Copilot said: +Copilot +Great follow-up! You're absolutely right to ask this — here's the key clarification: + +🧠 Why You Still Don’t Receive Mail Just by Setting an MX Record +Setting an MX record in GoDaddy pointing to your VM's public IP is only one part of enabling mail reception. To actually receive emails at brath@brathaban.com, you need: + +✅ 1. A Mail Server That Handles Incoming Mail +Postfix by itself is mainly for sending mail. To receive mail, you need to install and configure a POP3/IMAP server, such as: + +Dovecot (most common) +Courier +Or use a hosted mail service (like Google Workspace or Zoho) +✅ 2. Open Port 25 (SMTP) on Your VM +You've already done this — good! This allows other mail servers to connect to yours to deliver mail. + +✅ 3. Configure Postfix to Accept Incoming Mail +Postfix must be configured to: + +Accept mail for your domain (brathaban.com) +Route it to local users (e.g., brath) +Optionally deliver it to a mailbox that Dovecot can serve via IMAP/POP3 +✅ 4. Set Up Mailboxes and Access +To read incoming mail: + +You need a mailbox for brath@brathaban.com +You need Dovecot or similar to expose that mailbox via IMAP or POP3 +You can then connect using a mail client (e.g., Thunderbird, Outlook, or Gmail app) +🧪 Summary: +MX record tells other servers where to send mail. +But you need a receiving mail server (like Dovecot) to actually accept and store that mail. +Without it, mail sent to brath@brathaban.com will bounce or be lost. +Would you like help installing Dovecot and setting up your VM to receive and store mail properly? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +ok so all I did codes cannot be wrong. I copied all your codes and did in crontab i set the time and sent. email didnt recieve by recipient. Where could have been the mistake +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for summarizing — let’s troubleshoot why your email didn’t reach the recipient even though you followed all the steps. + +✅ What You Did: +Configured Postfix with your domain (brathaban.com) +Set up DNS records in GoDaddy (A and MX) +Opened port 25 on your VM +Created a cron job to send email using mail or Postfix +🧪 Possible Reasons the Email Was Not Received: +1. Missing or Incorrect DNS Records +SPF: Needed to authorize your VM to send mail for brathaban.com +PTR (Reverse DNS): Needed for many mail servers to trust your IP +DKIM/DMARC: Optional but improves deliverability +2. Your IP Reputation +If your VM’s public IP is new or from a cloud provider, it may have low trust or be blacklisted. +Many mail servers (like Gmail) reject mail from unknown or unauthenticated sources. +3. Postfix Misconfiguration +The From: address might not match your domain. +Postfix might not be routing mail correctly. +4. Firewall or Port Issues +Port 25 might be open on your VM but blocked by your cloud provider (e.g., Azure, AWS). +You can test with: + + + +Shell +telnet gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com 25 +5. Mail Client or Cron Output +If you used mail in cron, make sure the output is actually being piped to Postfix. +Check /var/log/mail.log or /var/log/syslog for errors. +✅ What You Can Do Next: +Check mail logs: + + + + +Shell +sudo tail -n 50 /var/log/mail.log +Send a manual test email: + + + + +Shell +echo "Test message" | mail -s "Test Subject" recipient@example.com +Verify DNS records: + +SPF: v=spf1 ip4: -all +PTR: Set via your cloud provider +MX: Points to your VM’s public IP +Would you like to share your DNS records or mail log output so I can help pinpoint the issue? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +no wait. no godaddy thing.i used gmail smtp as relay so its my gmail used +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for clarifying — since you're using Gmail SMTP as a relay, here's a checklist to help you troubleshoot why the email wasn't received: + +✅ What You’ve Done: +Configured Postfix to use Gmail SMTP: +relayhost = [smtp.gmail.com]:587 +Created /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd with: +[smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password +Ran postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd and secured the file. +Restarted Postfix. +Used a cron job to send mail via mail or echo "..." | mail -s .... +🧪 Possible Reasons the Email Wasn't Received: +1. App Password Not Set or Incorrect +Make sure you generated a Gmail App Password and used it in sasl_passwd. +2. Postfix Not Using the Relay +Check /etc/postfix/main.cf for: + + + +INI +smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes +smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd +smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous +smtp_tls_security_level = encrypt +smtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt +3. Mail Not Sent or Queued +Run: + + + +Shell +mailq +to see if mail is stuck in the queue. +4. Logs Show Errors +Check: + + + +Shell +sudo tail -n 50 /var/log/mail.log +for authentication errors, connection issues, or delivery failures. +5. Cron Job Output Not Routed Properly +Make sure your cron job is actually triggering the mail command. +Try running the same command manually to test. +✅ Quick Manual Test +Try this from the terminal: + + + + +Shell +echo "Test message" | mail -s "Test Subject" recipient@example.com +Then check the logs and mailq. + +Would you like to share your main.cf and mail.log output so I can help pinpoint the issue? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +A19C3411E5 641 Fri Oct 3 21:10:10 brathaban@Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net +(SASL authentication failed; server smtp.gmail.com[142.251.12.108] said: 535-5.7.8 Username and Password not accepted. For more information, go to?535 5.7.8 https://support.google.com/mail/?p=BadCredentials 98e67ed59e1d1-339c4a324ccsm1948993a91.18 - gsmtp) +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for sharing the error — this message confirms the issue: + +(SASL authentication failed; server smtp.gmail.com said: 535-5.7.8 Username and Password not accepted) +❌ What This Means: +Gmail rejected your login credentials when Postfix tried to send mail through its SMTP server. + +✅ Likely Causes: +1. Incorrect App Password +You must use a Gmail App Password, not your regular Gmail password. +App Passwords are only available if 2-Step Verification is enabled on your Gmail account. +2. Wrong Gmail Username +Make sure the email address in /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd is exactly your Gmail address. +3. File Not Processed or Secured +You must run: + + + +Shell +sudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd +And secure the file: + + + +Shell +sudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db +✅ What You Should Do Now: +Generate a Gmail App Password: + +Go to: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords +Choose Mail and Other (Postfix). +Copy the 16-character password. +Update /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd: + + + + +Shell +[smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password +Run: + + + + +Shell +sudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd +sudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db +sudo systemctl restart postfix +Then try sending a test email again. + +Would you like help verifying the file contents or testing the connection after updating the password? + + + + + + + + +You said: + +mailq: warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt +postqueue: warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt +-Queue ID- --Size-- ----Arrival Time---- -Sender/Recipient------- +CBAEA41630 488 Fri Oct 3 21:29:06 brathaban@Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net +(connect to smtp.gmail.com[2404:6800:4003:c00::6c]:587: Network is unreachable) + ddsunshine7@gmail.com +Copilot said: +Copilot +Thanks for the update — this log entry gives us two clear issues: + +❌ Error 1: Authentication Failure (Earlier) +535-5.7.8 Username and Password not accepted +✅ You already addressed this by updating your Gmail App Password. + +❌ Error 2: Network Unreachable (Now) +(connect to smtp.gmail.com[2404:6800:4003:c00::6c]:587: Network is unreachable) +This means Postfix is trying to connect to Gmail’s SMTP server using IPv6, but your VM doesn’t have IPv6 connectivity. + +✅ Fix: Force Postfix to Use IPv4 +Edit your Postfix config (/etc/postfix/main.cf) and add: + + + + +INI +inet_protocols = ipv4 +Then restart Postfix: + + + + +Shell +sudo systemctl restart postfix +This tells Postfix to only use IPv4, which your VM supports. + +🧪 After That: +Try sending the email again manually or wait for the cron job to trigger. You can check the queue with: + + + + +Shell +mailq +And clear it if needed: + + + + +Shell +sudo postsuper -d ALL +Would you like help verifying the config or testing the email again after this fix? + + + + + +------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +The message in the image — "The setting you are looking for is not available for your account" — means that App Passwords are currently not available for your Google account. This typically happens for one of the following reasons: +🔒 Common Reasons App Passwords Are Unavailable: + + +2-Step Verification is not enabled +App passwords require that you first enable 2-Step Verification (2SV) on your Google account. + + +Your account is managed by an organization (e.g., school or work) +If you're using a Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) account, the administrator may have disabled this feature. + + +Advanced Protection Program is enabled +If you're enrolled in Google's Advanced Protection Program, app passwords are not supported. + + + +✅ How to Enable App Passwords (if eligible): + +Go to Google Account Security Settings. +Under "Signing in to Google", enable 2-Step Verification. +Once 2SV is enabled, return to the same page and you should see the App Passwords option appear. +Use it to generate a password for apps like Postfix, Outlook, Thunderbird, etc. + + +Would you like help checking if 2-Step Verification is enabled or guidance on setting it up? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: google app password 16 character came but each 4 had a space in betweenCopilot said: CopilotYes, that's completely normal! +When Google generates a 16-character app password, it often displays it in this format for readability: +abcd efgh ijkl mnop + +Each group of 4 characters is separated by a space, but you should enter it as a continuous string (without spaces) when configuring it in your app or service. +✅ Example: +If Google shows: +xzyw abcd efgh ijkl + +You should enter: +xzywabcdefghijkl + +Let me know if you're using this for something like Postfix, Outlook, or another app, and I can help you plug it in correctly. +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: sudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db what these command doesCopilot said: CopilotThe command you mentioned: +Shellsudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.dbShow more lines +does the following: +🔐 chmod 600 +This sets file permissions so that: + +The owner of the file can read and write. +No one else (not even other users or groups) can read, write, or execute the file. + +📁 Files affected: + +/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd: This file contains your SMTP credentials (like your Gmail username and app password). +/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db: This is the hashed database version of the above file, created using postmap. + +✅ Why this is important: +These files contain sensitive login information, so it's critical to restrict access to prevent unauthorized users from reading your credentials. +Summary: +You're locking down access to your SMTP credentials so only the root user (or whoever owns the file) can read or modify them — a best practice for security. +Would you like to verify if the permissions are set correctly or need help with the rest of your Postfix setup? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: can i edit the file after doing these especially to change emailCopilot said: CopilotYes, you can still edit the file after running: +Shellsudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwdShow more lines +However, there are a few things to keep in mind: + +🔧 To Edit the File: +You’ll need to use a text editor with root privileges, since the file is now only readable/writable by the owner (typically root): +Shellsudo nano /etc/postfix/sasl_passwdShow more lines +Or use vim, vi, or any other editor you prefer with sudo. +✏️ After Editing: +If you change the email or password inside /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd, you must regenerate the .db file using: +Shellsudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwdShow more lines +This updates /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db with the new credentials. + +🔐 Then, restart Postfix: +Shellsudo systemctl restart postfixShow more lines + +Let me know if you want help editing the file or verifying the format (e.g., smtp.gmail.com:587 your_email@gmail.com:your_app_password). +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: mailq: warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt +postqueue: warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt +-Queue ID- --Size-- ----Arrival Time---- -Sender/Recipient------- +CBAEA41630 488 Fri Oct 3 21:29:06 brathaban@Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net +(connect to smtp.gmail.com[2404:6800:4003:c04::6d]:587: Network is unreachable) + ddsunshine7@gmail.comCopilot said: CopilotThanks for sharing the error. Here's a breakdown of what's happening and how to fix it: + +⚠️ Error Explanation: +(connect to smtp.gmail.com[2404:6800:4003:c04::6d]:587: Network is unreachable) + +This means Postfix is trying to connect to Gmail's SMTP server using IPv6, but your system or network doesn't support IPv6, so the connection fails. + +✅ Fix: Force Postfix to use IPv4 +Edit your Postfix configuration file: +Shellsudo nano /etc/postfix/main.cfShow more lines +Add or modify this line: +INIinet_protocols = ipv4Show more lines +Then restart Postfix: +Shellsudo systemctl restart postfixShow more lines + +⚠️ Warning About smtp_tls_security_level: +You also got this warning: +warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt + +This means smtp_tls_security_level was defined more than once in your main.cf. Postfix will use the last one, but it's best to clean it up. +✅ To fix: + +Open /etc/postfix/main.cf +Remove or comment out the duplicate line(s) +Keep only one line like: + +INIsmtp_tls_security_level = encryptShow more lines + +Would you like me to help you review your full main.cf to make sure everything is correct for Gmail relay? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: now ok ? --- smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes +smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous +smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd +smtp_tls_security_level = encrypt +smtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt + + + + + + +# TLS parameters +smtpd_tls_cert_file=/etc/ssl/certs/ssl-cert-snakeoil.pem +smtpd_tls_key_file=/etc/ssl/private/ssl-cert-snakeoil.key + + +smtp_tls_CApath=/etc/ssl/certs +smtp_tls_session_cache_database = btree:${data_directory}/smtp_scache + + +smtpd_relay_restrictions = permit_mynetworks permit_sasl_authenticated defer_unauth_destination +myhostname = Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net +alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases +alias_database = hash:/etc/aliases +myorigin = /etc/mailname +mydestination = Brath1.local, $myhostname, Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net, localhost.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net, localhostCopilot said: CopilotThanks for sharing your main.cf configuration. Here's a quick review and confirmation: + +✅ Your Gmail Relay Settings Look Good: +INIsmtp_sasl_auth_enable = yessmtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymoussmtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwdsmtp_tls_security_level = encryptsmtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crtShow more lines +These are correct for authenticating with Gmail using an app password. + +✅ TLS Parameters: +INIsmtpd_tls_cert_file=/etc/ssl/certs/ssl-cert-snakeoil.pemsmtpd_tls_key_file=/etc/ssl/private/ssl-cert-snakeoil.keysmtp_tls_CApath=/etc/ssl/certssmtp_tls_session_cache_database = btree:${data_directory}/smtp_scacheShow more lines +These are fine for basic TLS support. The "snakeoil" certs are default self-signed ones — okay for testing, but not recommended for production. + +✅ Relay Restrictions: +INIsmtpd_relay_restrictions = permit_mynetworks permit_sasl_authenticated defer_unauth_destinationShow more lines +This is standard and secure. + +✅ Hostname and Destination: +INImyhostname = Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.netmyorigin = /etc/mailnamemydestination = Brath1.local, $myhostname, Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net, localhost.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net, localhostShow more lines +These are fine. Just make sure /etc/mailname contains a valid domain (e.g., brath.local or your Gmail address domain). + +✅ Final Check: Force IPv4 +Make sure this line is also present to avoid the "Network is unreachable" error: +INIinet_protocols = ipv4Show more lines +If it's missing, add it. + +🔄 After Changes: +Run these commands to apply everything: +Shellsudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwdsudo systemctl restart postfixShow more lines + +Would you like to test sending a mail now and check mailq again? I can help interpret the result. +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: successMemory updatedMemory updatedCopilot said: Copilot🎉 Awesome! You've successfully configured Postfix to relay mail through Gmail using app passwords — and resolved the IPv6 issue by forcing IPv4. That's a solid setup! +Would you like help with: + +Setting up mail aliases or forwarding? +Monitoring mail logs? +Sending automated emails from scripts or apps? + +Let me know how you'd like to build on this! +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: also can install postfix on vindows and do same in windows yea from powershellCopilot said: CopilotPostfix is a Linux-based mail transfer agent (MTA), and unfortunately, it cannot be installed natively on Windows — it's not designed to run on Windows systems. +However, you have a few options if you want to send mail from Windows using Gmail and app passwords: + +✅ Option 1: Use PowerShell to Send Mail via Gmail +You can use PowerShell's Send-MailMessage cmdlet with Gmail's SMTP server: +PowerShell$EmailFrom = "your_email@gmail.com"$EmailTo = "recipient@example.com"$Subject = "Test Email"$Body = "This is a test email sent from PowerShell"$SMTPServer = "smtp.gmail.com"$SMTPPort = 587$Username = "your_email@gmail.com"$Password = "your_app_password" # 16-character app password$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $Password -AsPlainText -Force$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential($Username, $SecurePassword)Send-MailMessage -From $EmailFrom -To $EmailTo -Subject $Subject -Body $Body -SmtpServer $SMTPServer -Port $SMTPPort -UseSsl -Credential $CredentialShow more lines + +⚠️ Note: Send-MailMessage is deprecated in newer PowerShell versions, but still works. For production use, consider using MailKit or System.Net.Mail in C# or PowerShell scripts. + + +✅ Option 2: Use WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) +If you really want to use Postfix on Windows, you can install WSL (Ubuntu or Debian) and then install Postfix inside that Linux environment: +Shellsudo apt updatesudo apt install postfixShow more lines +Then configure it just like you did on your Azure VM. + +Would you like help setting up the PowerShell script or installing WSL and Postfix inside it? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: you want me to create that file and execute in powershell? --- +$EmailFrom = "your_email@gmail.com" +$EmailTo = "recipient@example.com" +$Subject = "Test Email" +$Body = "This is a test email sent from PowerShell" +$SMTPServer = "smtp.gmail.com" +$SMTPPort = 587 +$Username = "your_email@gmail.com" +$Password = "your_app_password" # 16-character app password + +$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $Password -AsPlainText -Force +$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential($Username, $SecurePassword) + +Send-MailMessage -From $EmailFrom -To $EmailTo -Subject $Subject -Body $Body -SmtpServer $SMTPServer -Port $SMTPPort -UseSsl -Credential $CredentialCopilot said: CopilotAnalysisPython# Create a PowerShell script file that sends an email using Gmail SMTP and app password# Define the content of the PowerShell scriptpowershell_script = '''\$EmailFrom = "your_email@gmail.com"$EmailTo = "recipient@example.com"$Subject = "Test Email"$Body = "This is a test email sent from PowerShell"$SMTPServer = "smtp.gmail.com"$SMTPPort = 587$Username = "your_email@gmail.com"$Password = "your_app_password" # 16-character app password$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $Password -AsPlainText -Force$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential($Username, $SecurePassword)Send-MailMessage -From $EmailFrom -To $EmailTo -Subject $Subject -Body $Body -SmtpServer $SMTPServer -Port $SMTPPort -UseSsl -Credential $Credential'''# Save the script to a .ps1 filewith open("send_email_gmail.ps1", "w") as file: file.write(powershell_script)Show more lines +Here’s your PowerShell script file ready to use: +📄 send_email_gmail.ps1 +✅ Instructions: + + +Open the file in a text editor and replace: + +your_email@gmail.com with your Gmail address +recipient@example.com with the recipient's email +your_app_password with your 16-character Gmail app password + + + +Run the script in PowerShell: + +Open PowerShell as Administrator +Navigate to the folder where the script is saved +Run: +PowerShell.\send_email_gmail.ps1Show more lines + + + + +Let me know if you'd like to add attachments, HTML formatting, or logging to the script! +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: oh ok in windows yea?Copilot said: CopilotYes, you can absolutely run that PowerShell script on Windows — it’s designed for that environment. +✅ What You Need: + +A Windows machine with PowerShell (already built-in). +Your Gmail address and 16-character app password. +Internet access (to reach Gmail's SMTP server). + +🧾 Steps: + + +Download the script: +send_email_gmail.ps1 + + +Edit the script: + +Replace: +PowerShell"your_email@gmail.com""recipient@example.com""your_app_password"Show more lines +with your actual Gmail and app password. + + + +Run the script: + +Open PowerShell as Administrator. +Navigate to the folder where the script is saved. +Run: +PowerShell.\send_email_gmail.ps1Show more lines + + + + + +Would you like me to customize the script further — like adding attachments, HTML formatting, or logging the result to a file? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: so instead of postfix it is using send-mail messageCopilot said: CopilotExactly! On Windows, instead of using Postfix (which is a Linux-based mail relay agent), you're using PowerShell's Send-MailMessage cmdlet to send emails directly via Gmail's SMTP server. +🔄 Comparison: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +FeaturePostfix (Linux)Send-MailMessage (Windows PowerShell)PlatformLinux/UnixWindowsUse caseMail server, relay, queue managementSimple email sending from scriptsSMTP AuthenticationYes (via config files)Yes (via credentials in script)TLS/SSL SupportYesYesApp Password SupportYes (via sasl_passwd)Yes (via secure string in script)Queueing & RetryYesNo (sends once, no retry logic)ComplexityMedium to HighLow + +✅ Summary: + +Postfix is great for server-side mail relay and queueing. +PowerShell is perfect for quick email tasks, automation, or scripting on Windows. + +Let me know if you'd like to build a more advanced PowerShell mail script — like sending logs, alerts, or attachments! +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: so I dont need to change file like i did in linux main.cfCopilot said: CopilotCorrect — on Windows, you do not need to edit a configuration file like main.cf (which is required for Postfix on Linux). +Instead, everything is handled within the PowerShell script itself, including: + +SMTP server settings (smtp.gmail.com, port 587) +TLS/SSL usage (-UseSsl) +Authentication (your Gmail + app password) +Email content (subject, body, recipient) + +✅ Summary: + +Linux/Postfix: Requires editing config files (main.cf, sasl_passwd, etc.) +Windows/PowerShell: Just write and run a script — no config files involved + +Would you like to test the script now or add features like attachments or HTML formatting? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: wow so that no need even password or app passwordCopilot said: CopilotActually — you do still need the app password when using Gmail's SMTP server, even in PowerShell. +🔐 Why? +Gmail does not allow regular passwords for SMTP access unless: + +You're using OAuth2 (complex setup) +Or you've enabled App Passwords (simpler and secure) + +So in your PowerShell script, this line: +PowerShell$Password = "your_app_password"Show more lines +must contain your 16-character app password generated from your Google account. + +✅ Summary: + +You don’t need to edit config files like in Linux/Postfix. +But you do need to use an app password for Gmail SMTP authentication. +This keeps your account secure while allowing external apps (like PowerShell) to send mail. + +Would you like help generating an app password or testing the script with real values? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: cmd also can doCopilot said: CopilotYes, you can send email from Windows Command Prompt (CMD) too — but not directly like in PowerShell. CMD itself doesn’t have built-in email capabilities, so you'd need to use one of the following: + +✅ Option 1: Run PowerShell from CMD +You can execute a PowerShell script from CMD like this: +BATpowershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Path\To\send_email_gmail.ps1"Show more lines +This lets you use the PowerShell script you already created, even from a CMD window. + +✅ Option 2: Use a Third-Party Tool (like blat) +If you want to send email directly from CMD without PowerShell, you can use tools like blat, which is a command-line SMTP mailer. +Example usage with blat: +BATblat -to recipient@example.com -subject "Test Email" -body "Hello from CMD" -server smtp.gmail.com -port 587 -u your_email@gmail.com -pw your_app_password -starttlsShow more lines + +⚠️ You still need your Gmail app password here. + + +Would you like help setting up blat or prefer sticking with PowerShell for simplicity? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: how about in powershell using smtp 25 directly no need relayCopilot said: CopilotUsing SMTP port 25 directly from PowerShell on Windows is technically possible, but not recommended and often blocked by: + +Gmail (it doesn’t allow unauthenticated SMTP on port 25) +Most ISPs and cloud providers (to prevent spam) +Firewalls (port 25 is often restricted) + + +🔍 Why You Still Need a Relay or Authentication: +Gmail and most modern mail servers require authentication and encryption, which port 25 typically doesn’t provide unless you manually implement STARTTLS and SMTP protocol handling — which is very complex in PowerShell. + +✅ Recommended Approach: +Stick with port 587 and use Gmail’s SMTP with app password and TLS, like you did in the PowerShell script: +PowerShellSend-MailMessage -SmtpServer "smtp.gmail.com" -Port 587 -UseSsl ...Show more lines +This is secure, supported, and works reliably. + +🛑 Summary: + +Port 25 is mostly for server-to-server mail delivery (Postfix, Exchange, etc.) +PowerShell + port 25 = not practical for sending mail via Gmail +Use port 587 with app password = secure and easy + +Would you like to try sending mail through a different provider or set up a local SMTP server for testing? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: i mean without using gmail. with my direct lik mail server using powershell onlyCopilot said: CopilotAh, I see what you're aiming for now — you'd like to send email directly from PowerShell to your own mail server, without using Gmail or any external relay. +Yes, that’s absolutely possible if you have your own SMTP server (e.g., running on your domain or local network) and it accepts connections on port 25 or another SMTP port. + +✅ PowerShell Example (Direct SMTP to Your Mail Server): +PowerShell$EmailFrom = "admin@yourdomain.com"$EmailTo = "recipient@yourdomain.com"$Subject = "Direct SMTP Test"$Body = "This is a test email sent directly to my mail server"$SMTPServer = "mail.yourdomain.com" # or IP address$SMTPPort = 25 # or 587, 465 depending on your server$Username = "admin@yourdomain.com"$Password = "your_password" # if authentication is required$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $Password -AsPlainText -Force$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential($Username, $SecurePassword)Send-MailMessage -From $EmailFrom -To $EmailTo -Subject $Subject -Body $Body -SmtpServer $SMTPServer -Port $SMTPPort -Credential $CredentialShow more lines + +🔧 Notes: + +If your server does not require authentication, you can omit the -Credential part. +If your server requires SSL/TLS, add -UseSsl. +Make sure your server accepts connections from your Windows machine (check firewall, IP allowlist, etc.). +If you're using a local mail server (e.g., IIS SMTP, hMailServer, Exchange), you can use localhost or its IP. + + +Would you like help testing this with your actual mail server or setting up a basic SMTP server on Windows for local testing? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: smtp server? install?Copilot said: CopilotYes, you can install an SMTP server on Windows to send mail directly without using Gmail or any external relay. +Here are a few options depending on your needs: + +✅ Option 1: IIS SMTP Server (Built-in) +Windows Server and some Windows editions include a basic SMTP server via IIS (Internet Information Services). +🔧 How to Install: + +Open Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off +Enable: + +SMTP Server +IIS 6 Management Console + + +Configure via IIS 6 Manager: + +Set up domains, relay restrictions, and delivery options. + + + + +🛠️ This is basic and good for local or internal mail testing. + + +✅ Option 2: hMailServer (Free & Powerful) +hMailServer is a free, open-source SMTP/POP3/IMAP server for Windows. +🔧 Features: + +Full SMTP support +Authentication +SSL/TLS +Webmail integration +Logging and diagnostics + +🔧 Setup: + +Download and install hMailServer. +Configure: + +Domain and SMTP settings +Users and passwords +Relay and security options + + + + +🛡️ Great for testing or small-scale production use. + + +✅ Option 3: MailEnable (Free & Commercial) +MailEnable offers a free edition with SMTP support and more advanced features in paid versions. + +✅ After Installation: +Once your SMTP server is running, you can use PowerShell like this: +PowerShellSend-MailMessage -From "admin@yourdomain.com" -To "user@yourdomain.com" -Subject "Test" -Body "Hello" -SmtpServer "localhost" -Port 25Show more lines + +You can replace "localhost" with your server's IP or hostname. + + +Would you like help installing hMailServer or configuring IIS SMTP for your setup? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: but I need to create my domain and allCopilot said: CopilotYes — if you want to send email directly from PowerShell using your own SMTP server, then yes, you’ll need to: + +✅ 1. Set Up Your Own Mail Domain +This means: + +Registering a domain name (e.g., brathaban.com) +Setting up DNS records: + +MX record pointing to your mail server +SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email authentication and deliverability + + + + +✅ 2. Install an SMTP Server +You can install one on your Windows machine, such as: + +hMailServer (free and easy to configure) +MailEnable (free and commercial editions) +IIS SMTP Server (basic, built-in for Windows Server) + + +✅ 3. Configure the SMTP Server + +Add your domain +Create email accounts (e.g., admin@brathaban.com) +Set up relay rules, authentication, and TLS if needed + + +✅ 4. Send Mail from PowerShell +Once your server is running and reachable, you can use: +PowerShellSend-MailMessage -From "admin@brathaban.com" -To "someone@example.com" -Subject "Test" -Body "Hello" -SmtpServer "mail.brathaban.com" -Port 25Show more lines +If your server requires authentication: +PowerShell$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString "your_password" -AsPlainText -Force$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential("admin@brathaban.com", $SecurePassword)Send-MailMessage -From "admin@brathaban.com" -To "someone@example.com" -Subject "Test" -Body "Hello" -SmtpServer "mail.brathaban.com" -Port 25 -Credential $CredentialShow more lines + +Would you like help setting up hMailServer or configuring DNS records for your domain? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: is there a file for that to do these, like postfix --- Configure the SMTP Server + +Add your domain +Create email accounts (e.g., admin@brathaban.com) +Set up relay rules, authentication, and TLS if neededCopilot said: CopilotAnalysisPythonfrom docx import Documentfrom docx.shared import Ptfrom docx.enum.text import WD_PARAGRAPH_ALIGNMENT# Create a new Word document from the blank templatedoc = Document("/app/scripts/word_blank.docx")# Titletitle = doc.add_paragraph("hMailServer SMTP Configuration Template", style="Title")title.alignment = WD_PARAGRAPH_ALIGNMENT.CENTER# Introductiondoc.add_paragraph("This document provides a configuration template for setting up a basic SMTP server using hMailServer on Windows. Replace the placeholders with your actual values.", style="Normal")# Configuration Sectionssections = { "1. Domain Configuration": [ "Domain Name: yourdomain.com", "SMTP Hostname: mail.yourdomain.com" ], "2. Email Accounts": [ "Account 1: admin@yourdomain.com", "Account 2: user@yourdomain.com" ], "3. Relay Rules": [ "Allow relay for: Local to external (authenticated users only)", "IP Ranges: 127.0.0.1 (localhost), your LAN IP range" ], "4. Authentication Settings": [ "Require SMTP authentication for delivery to external addresses: Enabled", "Authentication method: Plain or LOGIN" ], "5. TLS/SSL Settings": [ "Enable STARTTLS: Yes", "SSL Certificate Path: C:\\\\path\\\\to\\\\certificate.pem", "Private Key Path: C:\\\\path\\\\to\\\\privatekey.pem" ], "6. SMTP Port Settings": [ "Port 25: Plain SMTP (optional, often blocked by ISPs)", "Port 587: SMTP with STARTTLS (recommended)", "Port 465: SMTP with SSL (optional)" ], "7. Logging and Diagnostics": [ "Enable SMTP logging: Yes", "Log file location: C:\\\\Program Files (x86)\\\\hMailServer\\\\Logs" ]}# Add each section to the documentfor heading, items in sections.items(): doc.add_paragraph(heading, style="Heading 2") for item in items: doc.add_paragraph(item, style="List Bullet")# Save the documentoutput_path = "hMailServer_SMTP_Configuration_Template.docx"doc.save(output_path)Show more lines +Here’s a configuration template file to help you set up your own SMTP server using hMailServer on Windows: +📄 hMailServer_SMTP_Configuration_Template.docx +🧾 What’s Inside: + +Domain setup (e.g., yourdomain.com) +Email accounts (e.g., admin@yourdomain.com) +Relay rules and IP ranges +SMTP authentication settings +TLS/SSL configuration +Port options (25, 587, 465) +Logging and diagnostics + + +You can open this file in Word or any compatible editor, fill in your actual values, and use it as a guide while configuring hMailServer. +Would you like help installing hMailServer or setting up DNS records for your domain next? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: I mean iis any file we need to edit for these?Copilot said: CopilotGreat question! +If you're using IIS SMTP Server on Windows (the built-in one), unlike Postfix on Linux, it doesn't rely on editable config files like main.cf. Instead, configuration is done entirely through the GUI — specifically the IIS 6.0 Manager or SMTP Virtual Server settings. + +🧭 Where to Configure IIS SMTP: +After installing the SMTP Server feature: + +Open IIS 6.0 Manager (inetmgr6). +Expand [SMTP Virtual Server #1]. +Right-click → Properties to configure: + +🔧 Key Tabs: + +General: Set IP bindings and enable logging. +Access: + +Authentication (Anonymous, Basic, Integrated) +Relay restrictions (who can send mail through your server) + + +Messages: Limits and timeouts. +Delivery: + +Outbound security (authentication) +Outbound connections (port, retries) +Advanced (fully qualified domain name, smart host) + + +Domains: Add your mail domain (e.g., brathaban.com) + + +📝 No Config File Like main.cf + +All settings are stored in the Windows registry and managed via the GUI. +You can script some settings using PowerShell or VBScript, but it's not as file-driven as Postfix. + + +Would you like help navigating IIS SMTP settings or prefer a more file-based SMTP server like hMailServer, which stores config in a database and is easier to automate? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok lets move to another thing, no need cmd or powershell. how about I create java code and when i compile execute mail sentCopilot said: CopilotYes! You can absolutely write Java code that sends an email when compiled and executed — no need for PowerShell or CMD. + +✅ What You’ll Need: + +JavaMail API (now part of Jakarta Mail) +Your SMTP server details (Gmail, hMailServer, or any other) +Java installed on your system + + +📦 Maven Dependency (if using Maven): +XML com.sun.mail jakarta.mail 2.0.1Show more lines + +🧪 Sample Java Code to Send Email: +Javaimport jakarta.mail.*;import jakarta.mail.internet.*;import java.util.Properties;public class MailSender { public static void main(String[] args) { String to = "recipient@example.com"; String from = "your_email@gmail.com"; String host = "smtp.gmail.com"; // or your own SMTP server final String username = "your_email@gmail.com"; final String password = "your_app_password"; // Gmail app password Properties props = new Properties(); props.put("mail.smtp.auth", "true"); props.put("mail.smtp.starttls.enable", "true"); props.put("mail.smtp.host", host); props.put("mail.smtp.port", "587"); Session session = Session.getInstance(props, new Authenticator() { protected PasswordAuthentication getPasswordAuthentication() { return new PasswordAuthentication(username, password); } }); try { Message message = new MimeMessage(session); message.setFrom(new InternetAddress(from)); message.setRecipients( Message.RecipientType.TO, InternetAddress.parse(to) ); message.setSubject("Test Email from Java"); message.setText("Hello, this is a test email sent from Java!"); Transport.send(message); System.out.println("Email sent successfully."); } catch (MessagingException e) { e.printStackTrace(); } }}Show more lines + +🛠️ Compile and Run: +Shelljavac MailSender.javajava MailSenderShow more lines + +Would you like me to generate a ready-to-run .java file for you, or help you set it up with your own SMTP server instead of Gmail? +SourcesProvide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok no need any config files for mthatCopilot said: CopilotCorrect — when sending email using Java, you don’t need to edit any external configuration files like main.cf (Postfix) or IIS settings. +✅ Everything is handled inside your Java code: + +SMTP server address +Port number +Authentication (username + app password or server password) +TLS/SSL settings +Email content (subject, body, recipients) + +This makes Java a great choice for portable, self-contained email sending, especially in apps or automation. + +Would you like me to generate a ready-to-run .java file for you with placeholders you can fill in? Or do you want to use your own SMTP server instead of Gmail? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYesterdayYou said: ok great now we successfuly sent email previouslyMemory updatedMemory updatedCopilot said: CopilotAwesome! You've now successfully sent email using PowerShell and you're moving into Java — a great step for building cross-platform, self-contained email functionality. +Would you like me to generate a complete .java file for you to test locally, or help you integrate email sending into a larger Java project (like a web app or desktop tool)? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: no need to move like that nowCopilot said: CopilotGot it! If you ever want to revisit Java email sending or explore something else — whether it's networking, databases, or even building a full app — just let me know. +What would you like to dive into next? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: we didnt think about recieving email pop3 Imap and how to configure in our linux vm where we did all postfixCopilot said: CopilotGreat point! You've set up Postfix for sending mail, but to receive mail, you'll need to configure a POP3 or IMAP server on your Linux VM. + +✅ Overview of What You Need: +To receive email, you need: + +Postfix (already installed) — handles incoming mail delivery to local mailboxes. +Dovecot — a POP3/IMAP server that lets users access their mailboxes. + + +📦 Step-by-Step: Install and Configure Dovecot +1. Install Dovecot +Shellsudo apt updatesudo apt install dovecot-imapd dovecot-pop3dShow more lines +2. Configure Dovecot +Edit the main config file: +Shellsudo nano /etc/dovecot/dovecot.confShow more lines +Basic content: +Apache Configprotocols = imap pop3Show more lines +Then edit mailbox settings: +Shellsudo nano /etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-mail.confShow more lines +Set: +Apache Configmail_location = mbox:~/mail:INBOX=/var/mail/%uShow more lines +3. Enable Authentication +Edit: +Shellsudo nano /etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-auth.confShow more lines +Make sure: +Apache Configdisable_plaintext_auth = noauth_mechanisms = plain loginShow more lines +4. Start and Enable Dovecot +Shellsudo systemctl enable dovecotsudo systemctl start dovecotShow more lines + +🔍 Test POP3/IMAP Access +You can test using: + +Thunderbird or Outlook (point to your VM’s IP/domain) +Telnet or openssl s_client for manual testing + + +Would you like help configuring Dovecot with SSL/TLS or testing it with a mail client? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: whats that ---Thunderbird or Outlook (point to your VM’s IP/domain)Copilot said: CopilotGreat question! +When I mentioned Thunderbird or Outlook, I meant using those as email clients to connect to your Linux VM's mail server (Postfix + Dovecot) to receive emails via POP3 or IMAP. + +🧭 What You’d Do: +Once your Linux VM is running Dovecot (for POP3/IMAP), you can use: +📨 Thunderbird (Free, open-source email client) + +Install it on your Windows machine. +Add a new account: + +Email: user@yourdomain.com +Incoming server: your VM’s IP address or domain name +Protocol: IMAP or POP3 +Port: usually 143 for IMAP or 110 for POP3 (or 993/995 for SSL) +Username/password: your Linux user or mail account + + + +📧 Outlook (Microsoft email client) + +Similar setup: Add a new account manually +Use your VM’s IP/domain as the incoming mail server + + +🔐 Important: + +Your VM must allow incoming connections on POP3/IMAP ports. +You may need to configure firewall rules or port forwarding if you're accessing it externally. +Dovecot must be properly configured to serve mailboxes for your users. + + +Would you like help testing Dovecot with Thunderbird or setting up a user mailbox on your Linux VM? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: oh azure vm close those 143 ports?Copilot said: CopilotYes — by default, Azure VMs block most inbound ports, including port 143 (IMAP) and port 110 (POP3), unless you explicitly allow them in the Network Security Group (NSG) attached to your VM. + +✅ To Allow IMAP/POP3 Access: +1. Go to Azure Portal + +Navigate to your VM +Under Networking, find the Network Security Group (NSG) + +2. Add Inbound Security Rules +Click “Add inbound port rule” and configure: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +NamePortProtocolPriorityActionAllow-IMAP143TCP1000AllowAllow-POP3110TCP1001Allow + +You can also allow port 993 (IMAPS) and 995 (POP3S) if you're using SSL. + +3. Optional: Restrict by IP +To improve security, set “Source” to your IP address instead of “Any”. + +🔐 Reminder: +Make sure Dovecot is running and listening on those ports: +Shellsudo netstat -tulnp | grep dovecotShow more lines +Would you like help creating these NSG rules or verifying Dovecot is correctly configured to serve IMAP/POP3? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok so after that u can send mail from ur thunderbolt or outlook in windowsCopilot said: CopilotYes — once you've: + +Installed and configured Dovecot on your Linux VM +Opened the necessary ports (like 143 for IMAP or 110 for POP3) in your Azure NSG +Created a mail user on your VM (e.g., brathaban) +Verified that Postfix is delivering mail to local mailboxes + +Then you can use Thunderbird or Outlook on your Windows machine to: + +Connect to your VM's IP or domain +Use IMAP or POP3 to access the mailbox +Send and receive emails using your own mail server setup + + +🧪 Example Setup in Thunderbird: + +Email Address: brathaban@yourdomain.com +Incoming Server: your_vm_ip or yourdomain.com + +Protocol: IMAP (port 143) or POP3 (port 110) + + +Outgoing Server (SMTP): same VM (Postfix, port 25 or 587) +Username: brathaban +Password: your Linux user password (or mail-specific password if configured) + + +Would you like help testing this setup or creating a test user mailbox on your VM to try it out? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: how to create mail user in my linux vmCopilot said: CopilotTo create a mail user on your Linux VM (where Postfix is installed), you typically create a Linux system user, because Postfix by default delivers mail to local system accounts. + +✅ Step-by-Step: Create a Mail User +1. Create a new Linux user +Shellsudo adduser brathabanShow more lines +This will: + +Create a home directory (/home/brathaban) +Set up a mailbox at /var/mail/brathaban (or wherever your mail spool is configured) + +2. Set a password for the user +Shellsudo passwd brathabanShow more lines +This password will be used if you're accessing mail via IMAP/POP3 (e.g., through Dovecot). +3. Verify mailbox exists +Shellls /var/mail/brathabanShow more lines +If Postfix is configured correctly, incoming mail to brathaban@yourdomain.com will be stored here. + +🧪 Test Mail Delivery +You can send a test mail to the user: +Shellecho "Test mail body" | mail -s "Test Subject" brathabanShow more lines +Then check the mailbox: +Shellcat /var/mail/brathabanShow more lines + +Would you like help configuring Dovecot to serve this mailbox over IMAP or POP3 so you can access it from Thunderbird or Outlook? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: var/mail/brathaban? are you referring the covot I installedCopilot said: CopilotGreat follow-up! +When I referred to /var/mail/brathaban, I was talking about the default mailbox location used by Postfix, not Dovecot specifically. Here's how it works: + +📬 Postfix + Dovecot Mailbox Flow + + +Postfix receives incoming mail and delivers it to local users. + + +By default, it stores mail in mbox format at: +/var/mail/username + +So for user brathaban, it would be: +/var/mail/brathaban + + + +Dovecot then reads from that location to serve mail via IMAP or POP3. + + + +✅ Dovecot Configuration to Match Postfix +To make sure Dovecot reads from /var/mail/username, you should set this in Dovecot’s config: +Shellsudo nano /etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-mail.confShow more lines +Set: +Apache Configmail_location = mbox:~/mail:INBOX=/var/mail/%uShow more lines +This tells Dovecot: + +Use mbox format +Read inbox from /var/mail/username +Store other folders in ~/mail (optional) + + +🔍 Summary: + +/var/mail/brathaban is created by Postfix when it delivers mail to the user. +Dovecot reads from that file to serve mail to clients like Thunderbird or Outlook. +You don’t need to manually create /var/mail/brathaban — it’s created automatically when mail is delivered. + +Would you like to test sending a mail to brathaban and then access it via IMAP using Thunderbird? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: why dovcot should read from var/mailCopilot said: CopilotExcellent question! +Dovecot needs to read from /var/mail/username (or another mailbox location) because it acts as the IMAP/POP3 server — its job is to serve mail to clients like Thunderbird or Outlook. + +🔄 Why Dovecot Reads from /var/mail (or other mailboxes): + +Postfix delivers incoming mail to local users. + +By default, it stores mail in mbox format at /var/mail/username. + + +Dovecot reads that mailbox file and makes it accessible over IMAP or POP3. + +So when you connect via Thunderbird, Dovecot shows you the contents of /var/mail/brathaban. + + + + +🔧 Can Dovecot Use Other Locations? +Yes! You can configure Dovecot to use: + +Maildir format (recommended for modern setups) + +Stored in ~/Maildir + + +mbox format (default for many systems) + +Stored in /var/mail/username + + + +You control this via the mail_location setting in: +Shell/etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-mail.confShow more lines +Examples: + +For mbox: +Apache Configmail_location = mbox:~/mail:INBOX=/var/mail/%uShow more lines + +For Maildir: +Apache Configmail_location = maildir:~/MaildirShow more lines + + + +✅ Summary: + +Dovecot reads from wherever your mail is stored. +If Postfix delivers to /var/mail, Dovecot should be configured to read from there. +You can change both Postfix and Dovecot to use Maildir if preferred. + +Would you like help switching to Maildir format or verifying your current Dovecot setup? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: mail already there in var mail. now why we need pop3 to access it? we can read or redirect it from var mail to anywhereCopilot said: CopilotYou're absolutely right — if the mail is already sitting in /var/mail/brathaban, you can read or redirect it manually without needing POP3 or IMAP. +However, here's why POP3/IMAP (via Dovecot) is still useful and often necessary: + +✅ Why Use POP3/IMAP (Dovecot)? + + +Remote Access +POP3/IMAP lets you access your mailbox from email clients like Thunderbird, Outlook, or mobile apps — even from another machine. + + +Standardized Protocols +These protocols are designed for interoperability, so any mail client can connect and fetch mail without needing shell access. + + +Security & Authentication +Dovecot handles secure login, encryption (SSL/TLS), and user isolation — safer than exposing /var/mail directly. + + +Multi-device Access (IMAP) +IMAP supports syncing across multiple devices, folders, and states (read/unread, etc.). + + + +🛠️ Alternatives (Without POP3/IMAP): +If you're just working locally or scripting, you can: + +Use cat /var/mail/username to read mail. +Use procmail or maildrop to redirect or filter mail. +Write a script to parse and forward mail to another system or file. + + +🔍 Summary: + +You don’t need POP3/IMAP if you're accessing mail locally or via scripts. +You do need it if you want to use standard mail clients or access mail remotely. + +Would you like help writing a script to forward or parse mail from /var/mail/brathaban without using Dovecot? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: wait so thunderbird we install in same linux vm or another windows vm and let it access those mails in var mailCopilot said: CopilotYou’ve got it exactly right — here’s how it works: + +✅ Scenario: Accessing Mail from Thunderbird + +You install Thunderbird (or Outlook) on a separate machine, like your Windows VM or your local PC. +Your Linux VM (with Postfix + Dovecot) acts as the mail server. +Thunderbird connects to your Linux VM using IMAP (port 143) or POP3 (port 110) to access the mailbox (e.g., /var/mail/brathaban). + + +🔄 Why Not Install Thunderbird on the Same Linux VM? +You could, but: + +It’s not typical — mail clients are usually installed on user-facing machines. +If you’re accessing the VM remotely, it’s better to use Thunderbird on your Windows VM or local PC and connect to the Linux VM over the network. + + +🧪 What You Need to Do: + +Ensure Dovecot is running and configured to serve /var/mail/%u. +Open IMAP/POP3 ports in your Azure NSG (e.g., 143, 110). +Install Thunderbird on your Windows VM or PC. +Add a new account in Thunderbird: + +Email: brathaban@yourdomain.com +Incoming server: your Linux VM’s public IP or DNS name +Protocol: IMAP or POP3 +Username: brathaban +Password: your Linux user password + + + + +Would you like help configuring Thunderbird or testing the connection to your Linux VM? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok so the sender also going to be my same thunderbird in windows, so the sent msg picked up from vm imap and shown in thunder bird. moreover. it is also going to have a place to sto recieved emails sent by vmCopilot said: CopilotYes — you're thinking about this exactly right! +✅ Full Mail Flow with Thunderbird on Windows + Linux VM Mail Server +Here’s how it works: + +📨 Sending Mail from Thunderbird (Windows VM) + +You configure Thunderbird to use your Linux VM's SMTP server (Postfix). +When you send an email, Thunderbird connects to Postfix on your VM (usually port 25 or 587). +Postfix sends the email to the recipient. +You can configure Postfix to store a copy of sent mail (optional — not default behavior). + + +📥 Receiving Mail in Thunderbird + +Postfix receives incoming mail and stores it in /var/mail/brathaban. +Dovecot reads that mailbox and serves it via IMAP or POP3. +Thunderbird (on Windows) connects to Dovecot on your Linux VM (port 143 or 110). +You see the received mail in Thunderbird. + + +📂 What About Sent Mail? +By default: + +Postfix does not store sent mail — it just relays it. +Thunderbird stores sent mail locally in its own “Sent” folder. + +If you want sent mail to be stored on the server and synced across devices: + +Use IMAP (not POP3). +Configure Thunderbird to save sent mail to an IMAP folder on the server (e.g., Sent). +You may need to create that folder manually via Thunderbird or Dovecot config. + + +✅ Summary: + +Thunderbird on Windows sends mail via your Linux VM (Postfix). +It receives mail via IMAP/POP3 from your Linux VM (Dovecot). +Sent mail is stored in Thunderbird unless you configure it to save on the server. + +Would you like help setting up a shared “Sent” folder on your server so Thunderbird can store sent mail there too? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: thunderbird in windows how it sends mail via linux vmCopilot said: CopilotGreat question! +When you use Thunderbird on your Windows VM to send mail via your Linux VM, here's what happens: + +🧭 How Thunderbird Sends Mail via Linux VM + + +SMTP Configuration in Thunderbird: + +You set the outgoing mail server (SMTP) to your Linux VM's IP or domain. +Example: +SMTP Server: your-linux-vm-ip +Port: 25 (or 587 if using TLS) +Authentication: Enabled (username/password) + + + + + +Thunderbird connects to Postfix: + +Thunderbird sends the email to your Linux VM via SMTP. +Postfix receives the message and relays it to the recipient (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, etc.). + + + +Postfix handles delivery: + +Postfix uses DNS and SMTP to deliver the message to the recipient's mail server. + + + + +📥 What About Sent Mail? + +Thunderbird stores sent mail locally in its “Sent” folder. +If you're using IMAP, you can configure Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server (e.g., in a Sent folder served by Dovecot). +Postfix does not store sent mail unless you configure it to do so (e.g., via BCC or logging). + + +🔐 Requirements: + +Your Linux VM must have: + +Postfix running and configured to accept SMTP connections +Port 25 or 587 open in Azure NSG +Authentication enabled (optional but recommended) +TLS/SSL configured (recommended for secure transmission) + + + + +Would you like help configuring Thunderbird’s SMTP settings to point to your Linux VM, or verifying that Postfix is ready to accept mail from external clients? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok so thunderbird sending email to brath@brathaban.local in vmCopilot said: CopilotYes — if you're using Thunderbird on your Windows VM, and you’ve configured it to send mail via your Linux VM, then: + +✅ Sending to brath@brathaban.local (Linux VM) + +Thunderbird sends the email to your Linux VM's Postfix SMTP server. +Postfix receives the message and delivers it to the local user brath. +The mail is stored in /var/mail/brath (or in Maildir if configured). +Dovecot serves that mailbox via IMAP or POP3. +Thunderbird can then retrieve the message from the same Linux VM using IMAP/POP3. + + +🔁 Full Loop Example: + +Thunderbird (Windows) sends mail to brath@brathaban.local via SMTP (Linux VM). +Postfix delivers it to /var/mail/brath. +Dovecot makes it available via IMAP. +Thunderbird connects via IMAP and shows the received message. + + +🧪 Requirements Recap: + +Postfix must accept SMTP connections from Thunderbird. +Dovecot must be running and configured to serve /var/mail/brath. +Azure NSG must allow: + +Port 25 or 587 for SMTP +Port 143 or 993 for IMAP + + + +Would you like help testing this full loop or verifying that Thunderbird can both send and receive through your Linux VM? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: but now how linux vm can send to thunderbird? whats the user address?Copilot said: CopilotExcellent question! +If your Linux VM is acting as the mail server, and you want it to send mail to Thunderbird running on your Windows VM, here's how it works: + +✅ How Linux VM Sends Mail to Thunderbird +Thunderbird is just a mail client — it doesn't have its own email address unless it's configured to use one. So the Linux VM doesn't send mail to Thunderbird, it sends mail to an email address that Thunderbird is configured to receive. + +🔁 Example Setup: + + +You create a mail user on the Linux VM, e.g.: +brathaban@brathaban.local + + + +Thunderbird is configured to access that mailbox via IMAP or POP3: + +Incoming server: brathaban.local or your VM's IP +Protocol: IMAP (port 143) or POP3 (port 110) +Username: brathaban +Password: Linux user password + + + +Postfix on the Linux VM sends mail to brathaban@brathaban.local + +The mail is stored in /var/mail/brathaban +Dovecot serves it via IMAP +Thunderbird (on Windows) connects to the Linux VM and downloads the mail + + + + +🧠 Key Insight: + +Thunderbird doesn’t have an “address” — it just connects to a mailbox. +The Linux VM sends mail to a user account (like brathaban) that Thunderbird is configured to access. + + +Would you like to test this setup by sending a mail from the Linux VM to brathaban@brathaban.local and viewing it in Thunderbird? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: thunderbird send email to linux vm? it doesnt even have an addressCopilot said: CopilotYou're absolutely right to question that — let's clarify how Thunderbird on your Windows VM can send email via your Linux VM. + +🧭 Thunderbird Doesn’t “Send to the Linux VM” — It Sends Through It +Thunderbird is a mail client, and it sends email using SMTP. When you configure Thunderbird to use your Linux VM as the SMTP server, it sends mail through the VM to external recipients. + +✅ Example Setup: +In Thunderbird (Windows): + +Outgoing SMTP server: your-linux-vm-ip or brathaban.local +Port: 25 or 587 +Username: brathaban (Linux user) +Password: Linux user password +Authentication: Enabled +TLS/SSL: Optional but recommended + +What Happens: + +You compose an email in Thunderbird. +Thunderbird connects to Postfix on your Linux VM via SMTP. +Postfix relays the email to the recipient (e.g., someone@gmail.com). +The recipient receives the email — not the Linux VM. + + +🔁 What About Receiving Mail? +If the recipient is brathaban@brathaban.local, and Postfix is configured to accept local mail: + +Postfix delivers the mail to /var/mail/brathaban. +Dovecot serves it via IMAP. +Thunderbird (Windows) connects to Dovecot and downloads the mail. + + +🔐 Summary: + +Thunderbird sends mail through the Linux VM, not to it. +The Linux VM acts as a mail relay or mail server. +You configure Thunderbird with the VM’s SMTP and IMAP settings. + +Would you like help setting up Thunderbird’s SMTP and IMAP configuration to work with your Linux VM? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok so when the linux vm brath@brathaban.local will recieve an email?Copilot said: CopilotYour Linux VM user brath@brathaban.local will receive an email when Postfix is configured to accept mail for that domain and user, and someone sends a message to that address. + +✅ Conditions for Receiving Mail at brath@brathaban.local: + + +Postfix must be configured to accept mail for brathaban.local + +In /etc/postfix/main.cf, make sure: +INImydestination = brathaban.local, localhost, localhost.localdomainShow more lines + +Or use: +INIvirtual_alias_domains = brathaban.localShow more lines + + + + +The user brath must exist on the system + +You can create it with: +Shellsudo adduser brathShow more lines + + + + +Mail must be sent to brath@brathaban.local + +This could be from: + +Another local user using mail or sendmail +Thunderbird configured to send via your Linux VM +An external system if your VM is publicly reachable and DNS is set up + + + + + +Postfix delivers the mail to /var/mail/brath + +You can check it with: +Shellcat /var/mail/brathShow more lines + + + + +Dovecot serves the mailbox via IMAP/POP3 + +Thunderbird (on Windows) connects to your VM and downloads the mail. + + + + +🧪 Example: Send Mail Locally +From your Linux VM: +Shellecho "Hello Brath" | mail -s "Test Mail" brathShow more lines +This will deliver mail to /var/mail/brath, and Thunderbird (if configured) will show it. + +Would you like help testing this flow or sending a mail from Thunderbird to brath@brathaban.local? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok thunderbird configurd to send locally, in that case thunderbird with another vm username send email locally to brath#brathaban.comCopilot said: CopilotPerfect — you're now thinking in terms of local mail delivery between users on your Linux VM. + +✅ Scenario: Thunderbird on Windows VM Sends Mail to brath@brathaban.com (Linux VM) +Here’s how it works: + + +Thunderbird is configured to use your Linux VM as the SMTP server. + +SMTP server: your-linux-vm-ip or brathaban.com +Port: 25 or 587 +Authentication: anotheruser (a valid Linux user) +From address: anotheruser@brathaban.com + + + +Thunderbird sends mail to brath@brathaban.com + +Postfix on the Linux VM receives the mail. +It checks if brathaban.com is a local domain (configured in main.cf). +It delivers the mail to the local user brath. + + + +Mail is stored in /var/mail/brath + +Dovecot serves this mailbox via IMAP. +Thunderbird (or any other client) can connect and read the mail. + + + + +🧪 Example Flow: + +You create two users on the Linux VM: + +brath +anotheruser + + +Thunderbird is configured with anotheruser@brathaban.com and sends mail to brath@brathaban.com. +Postfix delivers it locally. +Dovecot makes it available to Thunderbird via IMAP. + + +Would you like help creating both users and testing this full local mail flow from Thunderbird to your Linux VM? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: so u say sent email from anotheruser will be again available back to him in his thunderbirdCopilot said: CopilotGreat observation — let’s clarify how sent mail works in Thunderbird when using your Linux VM as the mail server. + +✅ What Happens When anotheruser@brathaban.com Sends Mail via Thunderbird + +Thunderbird sends the email through your Linux VM’s SMTP server (Postfix). +Postfix delivers the email to the recipient (e.g., brath@brathaban.com). +The sent message is not automatically returned to the sender unless: + +You explicitly send a copy to the sender (e.g., via BCC). +You configure Postfix to archive or log sent messages. + + + + +📂 Where Is the Sent Mail Stored? + +Thunderbird stores sent mail locally in its own “Sent” folder. +If you're using IMAP, you can configure Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server (e.g., in an IMAP folder called Sent). +Postfix does not store sent mail by default — it just relays it. + + +🧠 Summary: + +Thunderbird sends mail via Linux VM → recipient receives it. +Thunderbird keeps a copy in its own “Sent” folder. +The sender (anotheruser) does not receive their own message back unless configured to do so. + +Would you like help configuring Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server or set up Postfix to archive outgoing messages? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: copy recived in sent folder because pop3 or imapCopilot said: CopilotGreat question — let’s clarify how sent mail appears in Thunderbird, and how POP3 or IMAP affects that. + +✅ Where Sent Mail Is Stored + +Thunderbird itself stores sent mail in its “Sent” folder. +This folder can be: + +Local (on your Windows machine) +Or remote (on the mail server) if you're using IMAP + + + + +🧠 Role of POP3 vs IMAP: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +ProtocolSent Mail BehaviorServer SyncMulti-device SupportPOP3Sent mail is stored locally in Thunderbird❌ No sync with server❌ Not ideal for multiple devicesIMAPSent mail can be stored on the server (if configured)✅ Yes✅ Great for syncing across devices +So: + +If you're using POP3, Thunderbird keeps sent mail only on your Windows machine. +If you're using IMAP, Thunderbird can store sent mail on the Linux VM, in a folder like Sent, which is accessible from other devices too. + + +🔧 To Store Sent Mail on the Server (IMAP): + + +In Thunderbird: + +Go to Account Settings → Copies & Folders +Under “When sending messages”, choose: +Place a copy in: [IMAP folder on your server] + + + + + +Make sure Dovecot is configured to support IMAP folders (Maildir format is best for this). + + + +Would you like help switching to Maildir format or configuring Thunderbird to store sent mail on your Linux VM? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: sent mail to brath@brathaba.local will be saved in var/mail vmCopilot said: CopilotYes — when you send an email to brath@brathaban.local, and your Linux VM is configured correctly, the message will be delivered locally and stored in: +/var/mail/brath + +This happens because: + +Postfix sees brathaban.local as a local domain (defined in mydestination in main.cf). +It matches the recipient brath to a local Linux user. +Postfix then delivers the mail to that user's mailbox file in /var/mail. + + +✅ Requirements Recap: + +Postfix is installed and running +brathaban.local is listed in mydestination in /etc/postfix/main.cf +The user brath exists on the system (sudo adduser brath) +Mail is sent to brath@brathaban.local (e.g., from Thunderbird or another local user) + + +🧪 Example: +Shellecho "Hello Brath" | mail -s "Test Mail" brathShow more lines +This will deliver the message to /var/mail/brath, and if Dovecot is configured, Thunderbird can access it via IMAP. +Would you like help verifying that Postfix is correctly delivering to /var/mail/brath or testing it with Thunderbird? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: if anotheruser from thunderbird hade sent that email.after he log out when brath@brathaban.local logs in to thunderbird brath can recieve it from linux var mail with imap to his thunderbird message folderCopilot said: CopilotYes — exactly! +If anotheruser@brathaban.local sends an email to brath@brathaban.local using Thunderbird (configured to send via your Linux VM), and everything is set up correctly: + +✅ Here's What Happens: + +Thunderbird (Windows VM) sends the email via SMTP to your Linux VM. +Postfix on the Linux VM receives the message and delivers it to the local user brath. + +The message is stored in /var/mail/brath. + + +Dovecot serves that mailbox via IMAP. +Later, when brath logs into Thunderbird (also on Windows or another machine): + +Thunderbird connects to the Linux VM via IMAP. +It downloads the message from /var/mail/brath. +The message appears in brath’s inbox in Thunderbird. + + + + +🔁 Summary: + +The message is not sent back to anotheruser. +It is delivered to brath, and brath can access it via Thunderbird using IMAP. +This setup mimics a real mail server environment — great for learning or internal communication. + +Would you like to test this flow now or set up a second user in Thunderbird to simulate it? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok now what pop3 does is saving that mail in sent folder of anotheruser account who sent it in thunderbirdCopilot said: CopilotGreat question — and here's the key clarification: +❌ POP3 or IMAP do not automatically copy sent mail to the "Sent" folder on the server. + +✅ What Actually Happens: + + +When anotheruser sends an email using Thunderbird, Thunderbird itself: + +Sends the email via SMTP (to your Linux VM). +Locally saves a copy of the sent message in its “Sent” folder. + + + +If Thunderbird is configured to use IMAP, and you've set it to store sent mail on the server: + +It will upload the sent message to the server’s Sent folder via IMAP. +This folder is served by Dovecot, and stored in the user's mailbox (e.g., Maildir format). + + + + +🔍 POP3 vs IMAP Behavior: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +ProtocolSent Mail HandlingServer SyncMulti-device SupportPOP3Sent mail is stored locally only❌ No sync with server❌ Not ideal for multiple devicesIMAPSent mail can be stored on the server (if configured)✅ Yes✅ Great for syncing across devices + +🧠 Summary: + +POP3/IMAP do not copy sent mail automatically — Thunderbird does. +IMAP allows Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server, if configured. +Postfix does not store sent mail unless you configure it to do so (e.g., via BCC or logging). + +Would you like help configuring Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server using IMAP? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: pop3 Sent mail is stored locally only means it just saves user x's message in user x's sent folder locally?Copilot said: CopilotYes — you're exactly right. +✅ POP3: Sent Mail Is Stored Locally +When using POP3, Thunderbird (or any mail client): + +Downloads incoming mail from the server (your Linux VM). +Stores it locally on the client machine (e.g., your Windows VM). +Sent mail is also stored locally — in Thunderbird’s “Sent” folder — but not on the server. + +So in your example: + +anotheruser sends an email using Thunderbird. +The message is sent via SMTP to the Linux VM (Postfix). +Thunderbird saves a copy of the sent message in its local “Sent” folder. +This folder is not synced with the server because POP3 is download-only and doesn’t support folder syncing. + + +🧠 Key Difference with IMAP: + +IMAP allows Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server (in a Sent folder), which can be accessed from other devices. +POP3 does not — everything is stored locally on the client. + +Would you like help switching to IMAP so sent mail can be stored and synced on the server? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: in thunderbird there are two spaces? locally saving mail and saving in server to be accessible everywhereCopilot said: CopilotYes — in Thunderbird, there are essentially two places where mail can be stored: + +📂 1. Local Storage (on your Windows machine) + +This is where Thunderbird stores mail on your computer. +Applies to: + +POP3 accounts (mail is downloaded and stored locally) +Sent mail (by default, stored in a local “Sent” folder) + + +You can view these folders even when offline. + + +🌐 2. Server Storage (on your Linux VM) + +Applies when using IMAP. +Thunderbird syncs with the server and shows folders like: + +Inbox +Sent +Drafts +Custom folders + + +Mail is stored on the server (e.g., in /var/mail or Maildir) and accessible from any device configured with IMAP. + + +🧠 Summary: + +POP3 = mail is downloaded and stored locally. +IMAP = mail is stored and synced on the server. +Thunderbird can be configured to use either, depending on your needs. + +Would you like help switching Thunderbird to IMAP mode so everything stays synced across devices? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: so thunderbird alsoacts like a serverCopilot said: CopilotGreat question — and the answer is no, Thunderbird is not a mail server. It’s a mail client. + +🧭 What Thunderbird Actually Does: + +Connects to mail servers (like your Linux VM running Postfix and Dovecot) +Sends mail via SMTP +Receives mail via IMAP or POP3 +Stores mail locally or syncs with server folders (if using IMAP) + + +🔍 Why It’s Not a Server: + +Thunderbird doesn’t listen for incoming SMTP or IMAP connections. +It doesn’t deliver mail to other users. +It doesn’t manage domains, DNS, or mail routing. + + +✅ Your Setup: + +Linux VM = Mail server (Postfix for sending, Dovecot for receiving) +Thunderbird (Windows VM) = Mail client (used by users like brath or anotheruser to send/receive mail) + + +Would you like a diagram or summary of how the mail flow works between Thunderbird and your Linux VM? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: no I mean u said thunder bird has a server storage otherdevices can accessCopilot said: CopilotAh, I see what you're asking now — thanks for the clarification! +When I said Thunderbird can store sent mail on the server, I didn’t mean Thunderbird itself acts like a server. Instead: +✅ What Actually Happens: + +Thunderbird is a mail client. +When using IMAP, Thunderbird can upload a copy of the sent message to a folder (like Sent) on the mail server (your Linux VM running Dovecot). +That folder is then accessible from other devices that connect to the same server via IMAP. + + +🔁 So the "server storage" is: + +Not Thunderbird itself. +It’s the IMAP server (Dovecot) on your Linux VM. +Thunderbird just syncs with it and stores mail there if configured to do so. + + +🧠 Summary: + +Thunderbird = client +Dovecot = server (stores mail folders like Inbox, Sent, etc.) +IMAP = protocol that lets Thunderbird sync with server folders +Other devices can access the same folders via IMAP + +Would you like help configuring Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server so it’s accessible from other devices? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: great amazing understoodCopilot said: CopilotI'm really glad that made sense! You've now got a solid understanding of how: + +Postfix handles mail delivery +Dovecot serves mail via IMAP/POP3 +Thunderbird interacts with both as a client +And how local vs server-side storage works for sent and received mail + +You're essentially running a full mail system across your VMs — that's impressive! +Would you like to explore mail filtering, spam protection, or even webmail access next? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: yez others it takes months to understand all theseCopilot said: CopilotThat's awesome to hear! You've really grasped a complex topic — mail servers, protocols, clients, and how they all interact — in a way that many people take weeks or months to fully understand. +You've built a working mail system across VMs, understood the difference between POP3 and IMAP, and even explored sending mail via PowerShell and Java. That’s a huge achievement. +Would you like to explore: + +Spam filtering (e.g., SpamAssassin)? +Mail encryption (PGP or S/MIME)? +Webmail access (like Roundcube or RainLoop)? +Or maybe shift gears to something totally different? + +Let’s keep building on your momentum! +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: thunderbird settings for brathaban@brathaban.localCopilot said: CopilotThanks! Based on the Thunderbird configuration screenshot, here’s what you need to fix or complete for the account brathaban@brathaban.local: + +✅ Incoming Mail (IMAP) Settings: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +SettingValueProtocolIMAPHostnamebrathaban.local (remove the leading dot)Port143 (standard for IMAP without SSL)Connection SecurityNone (or STARTTLS if Dovecot supports it)AuthenticationNormal password (instead of Autodetect)Usernamebrathaban (or just brathaban, not full email if Dovecot expects system usernames) + +✅ Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Settings (you’ll need to fill this in): + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +SettingValueSMTP Serverbrathaban.local or your VM IPPort25 or 587Connection SecurityNone or STARTTLSAuthenticationNormal passwordUsernamebrathaban + +🔧 Additional Tips: + +Make sure your Azure NSG allows ports 143 (IMAP) and 25/587 (SMTP). +Ensure Dovecot is running and configured to serve /var/mail/brathaban. +If you're using a local-only domain like brathaban.local, Thunderbird must be able to resolve it — or use the VM's IP address instead. + +Would you like help testing the connection or checking Dovecot/Postfix logs if it fails? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: smtp servrr is my public ip of vmCopilot said: CopilotPerfect — if your Linux VM's public IP is being used as the SMTP server, then here’s how your Thunderbird settings for brathaban@brathaban.local should look: + +✅ Incoming Mail (IMAP) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +SettingValueProtocolIMAPServer hostnamebrathaban.local or your VM's public IPPort143 (or 993 for IMAPS)Connection securityNone or STARTTLS (if Dovecot supports it)AuthenticationNormal passwordUsernamebrathaban + +✅ Outgoing Mail (SMTP) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +SettingValueServer hostnameYour Linux VM's public IPPort25 (or 587 if using STARTTLS)Connection securityNone or STARTTLSAuthenticationNormal passwordUsernamebrathaban + +🔐 Notes: + +Make sure your Azure NSG allows inbound traffic on: + +Port 25 or 587 for SMTP +Port 143 or 993 for IMAP + + +Ensure Postfix is listening on the public interface for SMTP. +Ensure Dovecot is listening for IMAP connections. + +Would you like help testing the connection or checking if your VM is reachable on those ports? +Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: greatCopilot said: CopilotAwesome! You're now fully set up to send and receive mail using Thunderbird with your Linux VM mail server — that's a huge milestone. +If you ever want to: + +Add spam filtering +Set up webmail access (like Roundcube) +Enable TLS encryption +Or even host multiple domains or users + +Just let me know — you're well on your way to mastering mail server infrastructure! \ No newline at end of file From aa5a140318dc6f045acf90bbfaa2a9d8812fe6a1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Brathaban <102550264@student.swin.edu.au> Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2025 01:55:37 +1100 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Delete SNMP mail.txt --- SNMP mail.txt | 3598 ------------------------------------------------- 1 file changed, 3598 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 SNMP mail.txt diff --git a/SNMP mail.txt b/SNMP mail.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 98bd94e..0000000 --- a/SNMP mail.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3598 +0,0 @@ - SMTP mail - - - - - -I dont need to set up if I just want to see the email from my phone gmail app or it is a must set up -Copilot said: -Copilot -Yes — even if you just want to see the email on your phone's Gmail app, you still need to set up email sending on your server or PC. - -📌 Why Setup Is Required -Your cron job uses: - - - - -Shell -mail -s "test" joannanatti@gmail.com -This command sends an email from your local machine, so your system needs a way to actually deliver that email to Gmail's servers. That’s where tools like sendmail, postfix, or mailutils come in. - -✅ What You Need to Do -Install a mail agent (if not already installed): - - - - -Shell -sudo apt install mailutils -Configure it to send mail: - -For simple setups, mailutils can use your system’s default mail relay. -For reliable delivery to Gmail, you may need to configure SMTP (e.g., using Gmail’s SMTP server with authentication). -Test it manually: - - - - -Shell -echo "Hello from cron!" | mail -s "Test Email" joannanatti@gmail.com -If you skip setup, the mail command will likely fail silently or queue the message without sending it. - -Would you like help setting up Gmail SMTP or checking if your system can send mail already? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -No configuration: - │ Should be chosen to leave the current configuration unchanged. - │ Internet site: - │ Mail is sent and received directly using SMTP. - │ Internet with smarthost: - │ Mail is received directly using SMTP or by running a utility such - │ as fetchmail. Outgoing mail is sent using a smarthost. - │ Satellite system: - │ All mail is sent to another machine, called a 'smarthost', for - │ delivery. - │ Local only: - │ The only delivered mail is the mail for local users. There is no - │ network. - │ - │ -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great — you're seeing the configuration options for Postfix or mailutils during installation. Here's what each option means and what you should choose based on your goal: - -✅ Your Goal: -You want your cron job to send an email to joannanatti@gmail.com, and you want to see it on your phone via Gmail. - -🟢 Recommended Option: Internet Site -Choose: - -Internet site: Mail is sent and received directly using SMTP. -This allows your machine to send mail directly to external addresses like Gmail. -⚠️ Important Notes: -Some ISPs or cloud providers block port 25, which is used for direct SMTP. If that’s the case, you may need to use Internet with smarthost and configure Gmail’s SMTP server. -If you choose Internet Site, your machine will try to send mail directly. It’s simpler but may not always work reliably without DNS and reverse DNS properly set up. -🛠️ Alternative (More Reliable): Internet with smarthost -If direct sending fails, you can switch to this and configure Gmail SMTP like: - - - - -Plain Text -relayhost = [smtp.gmail.com]:587 -Then use your Gmail credentials (with an app password) for authentication. - -Would you like help testing email delivery after choosing Internet Site, or setting up Gmail SMTP if needed? - - - - - - - - -Screenshot 2025-10-03 144314.png -You said: - -cud not click any or go anywhere -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for sharing the screenshot — it shows the Postfix configuration dialog during installation, but it looks like you're stuck because you can't click or proceed. - -🛠️ Here's how to fix it: -This screen is part of a text-based interface (usually debconf) in the terminal. You need to use keyboard navigation: - -✅ Use These Keys: -Arrow keys (↑ and ↓) to move between options. -Tab to switch between the options list and the button. -Enter to confirm your selection. -Example: -Use ↓ to highlight Internet Site. -Press Tab to move to . -Press Enter to confirm. -🧩 If the screen is frozen or unresponsive: -Try pressing: - - - - -Shell -Ctrl + C -to cancel, then re-run the installation: - - - - -Shell -sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix -Would you like help choosing the best option for your setup again or re-running the configuration? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -wow no key working, stuck -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for the update — if no keys are working and you're stuck on the Postfix configuration screen, here are a few ways to recover: - -🛠️ Option 1: Force Exit -Press: - - - - -Shell -Ctrl + C -This should cancel the configuration and return you to the shell. - -🛠️ Option 2: Kill the Process -If Ctrl + C doesn’t work, open another terminal and run: - - - - -Shell -ps aux | grep postfix -Find the process ID (PID) of the stuck configuration and kill it: - - - - -Shell -sudo kill -9 -🛠️ Option 3: Reconfigure Later -Once you're out of the stuck screen, you can re-run the configuration with: - - - - -Shell -sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix -This will bring back the same dialog, and you can try again using arrow keys, Tab, and Enter. - -Would you like help setting up a minimal mail configuration that works with Gmail, or do you want to skip email and log output to a file instead? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -what are the process id ? --- brathaban@Brath1:~$ ps -aux | grep postfix -root 4924 0.0 0.0 0 0 pts/1 Z+ 14:42 0:00 [postfix.config.] -brathab+ 5136 0.0 0.0 7008 2304 pts/2 R+ 14:53 0:00 grep --color=auto postfix -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for sharing the output. Here's what it means: - -🔍 Process List Breakdown - - - -Shell -root 4924 0.0 0.0 0 0 pts/1 Z+ 14:42 0:00 [postfix.config.] -brathab+ 5136 0.0 0.0 7008 2304 pts/2 R+ 14:53 0:00 grep --color=auto postfix -🧠 Key Points: -PID 4924 is the one you're interested in. -It's marked as — meaning it's a zombie process. It has finished execution but hasn't been cleaned up by its parent process. -✅ What You Can Do -You can try killing the parent process or restarting the terminal session: - -1. Find the parent of the zombie process: - - - -Shell -ps -o ppid= -p 4924 -This gives you the PPID (Parent Process ID). - -2. Kill the parent process (if safe): - - - -Shell -sudo kill -9 -⚠️ Be careful not to kill critical system processes. If unsure, just restart the terminal or reboot. - -3. Reboot (Safe Option): -If you're stuck and nothing works: - - - - -Shell -sudo reboot -Would you like help identifying the parent process or safely restarting just the terminal session? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -fpund parent killed, still there -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for confirming — if you've already killed the parent process and the zombie process is still showing, that's expected behavior. Here's why: - -🧠 What’s Happening: -A zombie process () is a process that has finished execution but still exists in the process table because its parent hasn't properly cleaned it up. -Even if you kill the parent, the zombie may remain until the system clears it — usually when the shell or terminal session ends. -✅ What You Can Do: -1. Safest Option: Reboot -This will clean up all zombie processes: - - - - -Shell -sudo reboot -2. Close the Terminal Session -If the zombie is tied to your current shell, closing the terminal window or logging out may remove it. - -3. Ignore It Temporarily -If it's not causing issues, you can ignore it — the system will eventually clean it up. - -Would you like help restarting safely or checking if Postfix was installed correctly despite the freeze? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ok so I have to sudo apt install mailutils again -Copilot said: -Copilot -Yes, if the Postfix setup got interrupted or stuck, it's a good idea to run: - - - - -Shell -sudo apt install mailutils -again. This will: - -Re-trigger the configuration dialog (Postfix setup). -Ensure all required mail components are installed properly. -📝 Tips Before You Run It Again: -Make sure your terminal is responsive. -Use arrow keys, Tab, and Enter to navigate the dialog. -Choose Internet Site if you want to send mail directly to Gmail. -If it still freezes or fails, I can help you install and configure an alternative like msmtp or set up Gmail SMTP manually. Want to try that if this doesn't work? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -like can i make sure its there or not -Copilot said: -Copilot -Yes, you can check whether mailutils is installed without reinstalling it by running: - - - - -Shell -dpkg -l | grep mailutils -✅ If Installed: -You’ll see a line like: - -ii mailutils 1:3.4-1 amd64 GNU mailutils utilities for handling mail -❌ If Not Installed: -You’ll see no output, or just a prompt return. - -🛠️ Alternative Check: -You can also try running: - - - - -Shell -which mail -If it returns a path like /usr/bin/mail, then the mail command is available. - -Would you like help verifying if it's working correctly by sending a test email? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ok I run installation but im pretty sure that screen will come again -Copilot said: -Copilot -You're right — running sudo apt install mailutils again will likely bring up the same configuration screen for Postfix. - -Since you were stuck last time, here’s how to prepare and navigate it smoothly: - -✅ Before You Run It Again -Make sure your terminal is responsive — close and reopen it if needed. -Use keyboard navigation: -↑ and ↓ to move between options. -Tab to switch to . -Enter to confirm. -🛠️ If It Freezes Again -If the screen becomes unresponsive again: - -Press Ctrl + C to cancel. -Or reboot with sudo reboot. -Then reconfigure Postfix manually: - - - - -Shell -sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix -Would you like me to walk you through each screen of the Postfix setup so you know what to choose at each step? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ok so before I already stuck and had to leave. so now i can use --- sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix -Copilot said: -Copilot -Yes — now that you've exited the stuck screen, you can safely run: - - - - -Shell -sudo dpkg-reconfigure postfix -This will reopen the Postfix configuration dialog and let you choose the correct setup. - -🧭 What to Do When It Opens: -Use ↓ to highlight Internet Site. -Press Tab to move to . -Press Enter to confirm. -Then follow the remaining prompts (e.g., system mail name, root alias) — I can guide you through each step if you'd like. - -Would you like a step-by-step walkthrough of the full Postfix setup screens? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -so if i select internet smtp may be not allowed in my linux? or not allowed outside server? -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great question — here's how it works: - -✅ If You Select Internet Site in Postfix Setup -Your Linux system will try to send mail directly to external mail servers (like Gmail) using SMTP on port 25. - -⚠️ Potential Restrictions -1. Your Linux System Itself -If you're running Linux on a local machine (e.g., at home or university), it might not be blocked. -If you're on a cloud VM (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP), port 25 is often blocked by default to prevent spam. -2. Your Network or ISP -Some ISPs block outbound SMTP traffic on port 25 to reduce spam. -University or corporate networks may also restrict this. -🛠️ How to Check If SMTP Is Allowed -You can test with: - - - - -Shell -telnet smtp.gmail.com 25 -If it hangs or fails to connect, port 25 is likely blocked. - -✅ Alternative: Use Gmail's SMTP (Smarthost Setup) -If direct SMTP is blocked, you can choose Internet with smarthost and configure Gmail’s SMTP server: - -Server: smtp.gmail.com -Port: 587 -Auth: Gmail username + app password -Would you like help setting up Gmail SMTP with Postfix for reliable delivery? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -what if telnet is blocked? might be not the best way to test? -Copilot said: -Copilot -You're absolutely right to question whether telnet is the best way to test SMTP connectivity — it's a classic method, but it's not always reliable or available. - -🧠 Why Telnet Might Be Blocked or Misleading: -Many systems don’t have telnet installed by default. -Port 25 (SMTP) is often blocked by cloud providers or firewalls, so even if telnet works, it doesn’t guarantee mail will be delivered. -Gmail and other providers may reject unauthenticated or improperly formatted SMTP connections. -✅ Better Alternatives to Test SMTP Connectivity -1. Use openssl to test Gmail SMTP (Port 587) - - - -Shell -openssl s_client -starttls smtp -connect smtp.gmail.com:587 -This tests a secure connection to Gmail’s SMTP server. - -2. Use swaks (Swiss Army Knife for SMTP) -Install it: - - - - -Shell -sudo apt install swaks -Then test: - - - - -Shell -swaks --to joannanatti@gmail.com --server smtp.gmail.com --port 587 --auth LOGIN --auth-user your@gmail.com --auth-password your_app_password -Replace your_app_password with a Gmail App Password, not your regular password. - -Would you like help setting up Gmail SMTP with Postfix using secure authentication? That’s the most reliable way to ensure your cron job emails reach your inbox. - - - - - - - - -You said: - -no lets telnet to something else and see -Copilot said: -Copilot -Perfect — let’s test connectivity to a different SMTP server using telnet. - -✅ Example: Test Outlook's SMTP Server -Try this in your terminal: - - - - -Shell -telnet smtp.office365.com 587 -If it connects, you'll see something like: - -Trying 40.97.142.34... -Connected to smtp.office365.com. -Escape character is '^]'. -220 outlook.office365.com Microsoft ESMTP MAIL Service ready... -If it hangs or fails, then outbound SMTP (port 587) might be blocked by your network or system. - -🧪 Other SMTP Servers You Can Try -Provider Server Port -Gmail smtp.gmail.com 587 -Outlook smtp.office365.com 587 -Yahoo smtp.mail.yahoo.com 587 -Zoho smtp.zoho.com 587 -Would you like help interpreting the result once you run the test? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -no. we want to check if telnet is good to test smtp. so we must telnet some possible thing other than smtp -Copilot said: -Copilot -Got it — you're testing whether telnet is a good tool to check general connectivity, not just SMTP. - -✅ Yes, Telnet Can Be Used to Test Other Services Too -Here are a few examples of how you can use telnet to test different types of connections: - -🔹 1. HTTP (Web Server) - - - -Shell -telnet example.com 80 -If it connects, you can type: -GET / HTTP/1.1 -Host: example.com - -You'll get a raw HTTP response. -🔹 2. SSH (Port 22) - - - -Shell -telnet yourserver.com 22 -If it connects, you'll see something like: -SSH-2.0-OpenSSH_8.2 -🔹 3. DNS (Port 53) - - - -Shell -telnet 8.8.8.8 53 -This tests if you can reach Google's DNS server. -🔹 4. SMTP (Port 25 or 587) - - - -Shell -telnet smtp.gmail.com 587 -As discussed earlier, this checks mail server connectivity. -🧪 Summary: -Telnet is useful for basic TCP connectivity tests, but: - -It doesn’t support encryption (e.g., TLS). -It’s not installed by default on many systems. -It’s being replaced by tools like nc (netcat), curl, or openssl. -Would you like to try one of these alternatives for more advanced testing? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -brathaban@Brath1:~$ telnet smtp.gmail.com 25 -Trying 142.251.12.108... -Trying 2404:6800:4003:c0f::6d... -telnet: Unable to connect to remote host: Network is unreachable -brathaban@Brath1:~$ telnet example.com 80 -Trying 23.192.228.80... -Connected to example.com. -Escape character is '^]'. -GET / HTTP/1.1 -Host: example.com -HTTP/1.0 408 Request Time-out -Server: AkamaiGHost -Mime-Version: 1.0 -Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2025 05:45:20 GMT -Content-Type: text/html -Content-Length: 314 -Expires: Fri, 03 Oct 2025 05:45:20 GMT - - -Request Timeout - -

Request Timeout

-The server timed out while waiting for the browser's request.

-Reference #2.5ca33017.1759470320.0 -

https://errors.edgesuite.net/2.5ca33017.1759470320.0

- -Connection closed by foreign host. -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for running those tests — they clearly show how telnet behaves in different scenarios: - -✅ Summary of Your Results -1. Telnet to Gmail SMTP (Port 25) - - - -Shell -telnet smtp.gmail.com 25 -Result: Network is unreachable -Conclusion: Port 25 is likely blocked by your network or cloud provider (very common). -2. Telnet to example.com (Port 80) - - - -Shell -telnet example.com 80 -Result: Connected successfully and got an HTTP response. -Conclusion: Telnet works fine for testing basic TCP connectivity to open ports. -🧠 Final Verdict: Is Telnet Good for Testing SMTP? -✅ Yes, telnet is a valid tool to test basic TCP connectivity to SMTP servers. -❌ But it's not sufficient to test full email delivery, especially with modern secure SMTP (TLS, authentication). -🔐 For Gmail and other secure providers, tools like openssl, swaks, or configuring Postfix with SMTP relay are better. -Would you like to move forward with setting up Gmail SMTP securely for your cron job emails? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -so smtp is blocked in the vm -Memory updated -Memory updated -Copilot said: -Copilot -✅ Confirmed — based on your telnet test to smtp.gmail.com on port 25, SMTP is blocked on your VM. - -This is very common, especially on cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, or GCP, where port 25 is blocked to prevent spam. - -🛠️ What You Can Do Next -If you still want to send emails from your VM (e.g., from cron jobs), you can: - -✅ Use Gmail's SMTP via Port 587 (with authentication) -Requires setting up Postfix or msmtp with: -Gmail SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com -Port: 587 -TLS: Yes -Gmail username and App Password -Would you like help setting up Gmail SMTP securely with Postfix or a simpler tool like msmtp? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -so u can telnet into http not https -Copilot said: -Copilot -Exactly — you can use telnet to test HTTP (port 80), but not HTTPS (port 443). - -🔍 Why Telnet Works for HTTP but Not HTTPS: -HTTP (port 80) is plain text — you can manually type requests and see responses. -HTTPS (port 443) is encrypted — telnet can't handle TLS/SSL encryption, so it can't interpret or initiate secure connections. -✅ For HTTPS Testing, Use These Instead: -openssl: - - - - -Shell -openssl s_client -connect example.com:443 -This initiates a secure TLS handshake and shows certificate info. - -curl: - - - - -Shell -curl https://example.com -This fetches the page securely and shows the response. - -nc (netcat): Can be used for low-level testing, but still not suitable for encrypted HTTPS unless combined with openssl. - -Would you like to try testing an HTTPS connection with openssl or curl next? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ssh also for https -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great observation — let's clarify the difference: - -🔐 SSH vs HTTPS -Protocol Purpose Port Encryption Telnet Testable? -SSH Secure remote login to servers 22 Yes (strong encryption) ✅ You can test basic connectivity with telnet -HTTPS Secure web browsing 443 Yes (TLS/SSL) ❌ Telnet cannot handle encryption -✅ Telnet to SSH (Port 22) -You can use telnet to test if port 22 is open: - - - - -Shell -telnet yourserver.com 22 -If it connects, you'll see something like: - -SSH-2.0-OpenSSH_8.2 -But you cannot use telnet to actually log in via SSH, because SSH requires encryption and authentication that telnet doesn't support. - -❌ Telnet to HTTPS (Port 443) -You cannot use telnet to test HTTPS because it’s encrypted. You’ll just see gibberish or nothing at all. - -To test HTTPS, use: - - - - -Shell -openssl s_client -connect example.com:443 -Would you like to try testing SSH or HTTPS connectivity now? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ssh into https? -Copilot said: -Copilot -Ah, I see what you're asking — you're wondering if SSH can be used to access HTTPS, or if they're somehow related. - -🔍 Clarifying the Difference: -Protocol Purpose Port Use Case -SSH (Secure Shell) Remote login to servers 22 Used to securely access and manage servers (e.g., Linux VMs) -HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) Secure web browsing 443 Used to access websites securely in browsers -✅ Can You "SSH into HTTPS"? -No — SSH and HTTPS are completely different protocols: - -You SSH into a server to manage it via command line. -You access HTTPS via a browser or tools like curl, wget, or openssl. -They both use encryption, but they serve totally different purposes and run on different ports. - -✅ What You Can Do: -You can SSH into a server and then use tools like curl or wget from that server to access HTTPS endpoints. -You can also host an HTTPS website on a server you manage via SSH. -Would you like help testing HTTPS access from your VM or setting up a secure web server? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -so I cannot select internet host, I need to select internet with smart host -Copilot said: -Copilot -Yes — based on your earlier test (telnet smtp.gmail.com 25), SMTP on port 25 is blocked on your VM. That means: - -❌ You should not select "Internet Site" in Postfix setup. -Instead: - -✅ Select "Internet with smarthost" -This option allows your system to: - -Send mail via a relay server (like Gmail’s SMTP on port 587). -Bypass the blocked port 25 issue. -Use secure, authenticated delivery. -🛠️ What You'll Need to Configure: -Gmail SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com -Port: 587 -TLS: Yes -Gmail username -Gmail App Password (not your regular password) -Would you like help configuring Postfix with Gmail as a smarthost? I can walk you through each step. - - - - - - - - -You said: - -bypass 25 via relay server? so which port is going to be used now -Copilot said: -Copilot -Exactly — when you use “Internet with smarthost” in Postfix, it bypasses port 25 and instead uses a different port, typically: - -✅ Port 587 — for secure, authenticated SMTP -This is the standard port for sending mail via a relay server (like Gmail), using: - -STARTTLS encryption -Username/password authentication -🔒 Why Port 587 Works: -Most cloud providers (like Azure, AWS) block port 25 to prevent spam. -Port 587 is intended for client-to-server email submission, and it's usually open. -🧠 Summary: -Setup Option Port Used Requires Auth Works on Cloud VMs -Internet Site 25 No ❌ Often blocked -Internet with Smarthost 587 ✅ Yes ✅ Recommended -Would you like help configuring Postfix to use Gmail’s SMTP on port 587 with authentication? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -Relay server port vs smtp port -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great question — let’s clarify the difference between SMTP port and relay server port: - -🔹 SMTP Port -This refers to the port used for sending email using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. - -Port Purpose -25 Traditional SMTP port for server-to-server email delivery. Often blocked on cloud VMs. -587 Modern SMTP port for client-to-server email submission. Supports STARTTLS encryption. -465 Legacy port for SMTP over SSL. Still used by some providers. -🔹 Relay Server Port -When you configure Postfix to use a relay server (like Gmail), you're telling it to send mail through another server — and that server uses one of the SMTP ports listed above. - -So in practice: - -The relay server port is the SMTP port used to connect to the relay. -For Gmail, the relay server is smtp.gmail.com, and the port is 587. -🧠 Summary: -SMTP port is a general term for ports used by the SMTP protocol. -Relay server port is the specific SMTP port used to connect to your chosen relay (e.g., Gmail uses 587). -Would you like help configuring Postfix to use Gmail’s relay on port 587? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -The 'mail name' is the domain name used to 'qualify' _ALL_ mail addresses without a domain name. This includes │ - │ mail to and from : please do not make your machine send out mail from root@example.org unless │ - │ root@example.org has told you to. │ - │ │ - │ This name will also be used by other programs. It should be the single, fully qualified domain name (FQDN). │ - │ │ - │ Thus, if a mail address on the local host is foo@example.org, the correct value for this option would be │ - │ example.org. │ - │ │ - │ System mail name: │ - │ │ - │ Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net______________________________________________________ -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for sharing the screen content — you're at the Postfix setup step where it's asking for the system mail name. - -🧠 What Is "System Mail Name"? -It’s the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) that Postfix will use to "qualify" local email addresses (like root, cron, etc.) when sending mail externally. - -For example: - -If your system sends mail from root, and your mail name is example.com, the sender becomes root@example.com. -✅ What Should You Enter? -Since you're on a cloud VM and using a relay server (like Gmail), you can safely enter something like: - - - - -Plain Text -brathaban.local -or - - - - -Plain Text -brathaban.example.com -It doesn’t need to be a real domain unless you're hosting mail for that domain. It just needs to be consistent and not misleading (e.g., don’t use gmail.com unless you own it). - -⚠️ Avoid Using: -The long internal cloud domain like Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net — it's fine technically, but messy and not meaningful for external mail. -Would you like help choosing a clean mail name or configuring Gmail as your relay next? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -─────────────────────────────────────────────┤ Postfix Configuration ├─────────────────────────────────────────────┐ - │ Please specify a domain, host, host:port, [address] or [address]:port. Use the form [destination] to turn off MX │ - │ lookups. Leave this blank for no relay host. │ - │ │ - │ Do not specify more than one host. │ - │ │ - │ The relayhost parameter specifies the default external host to send mail to when no entry is matched in the │ - │ optional transport(5) table. When no relay host is given, mail is routed directly to the destination. │ - │ │ - │ SMTP relay host (blank for none): │ - │ │ - │ smtp.brath1.local________________________________________________________________________________________________ │ -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for sharing the next screen — you're now at the SMTP relay host configuration step in Postfix. - -🧠 What This Field Does: -This is where you tell Postfix which external SMTP server to use to send outgoing mail — especially when you're using Internet with smarthost mode. - -✅ What You Should Enter (for Gmail): -If you're using Gmail as your relay, enter: - -[smtp.gmail.com]:587 -The square brackets [] disable MX lookups, which is recommended. -587 is the port used for authenticated, secure SMTP. -⚠️ What You Entered: -smtp.brath1.local -This looks like a local/internal hostname, which won’t work unless you have a mail relay set up on your own network. - -✅ Recommended Action: -Replace smtp.brath1.local with: - -[smtp.gmail.com]:587 -Then later, you'll configure Gmail authentication in /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd. - -Would you like help with the next steps to securely authenticate with Gmail? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -so gmail also gives us mail relay -Copilot said: -Copilot -Yes — Gmail does provide a mail relay service, but only under specific conditions. - -✅ Gmail as a Mail Relay (SMTP Relay) -You can use Gmail’s SMTP server to send mail from your own server or VM, but: - -🔐 Requirements: -You must authenticate using your Gmail account. -You need to use an App Password (not your regular Gmail password). -You must connect to: -smtp.gmail.com:587 -using STARTTLS encryption. -🧠 Why This Works: -Gmail acts as a smarthost — it relays your mail to the final destination. -This bypasses port 25 restrictions and uses port 587, which is usually open. -⚠️ Limitations: -Gmail may limit the number of emails you can send per day. -You must own the Gmail account you're sending from. -You can't spoof other domains unless you're using Google Workspace with domain verification. -Would you like help configuring Postfix to use Gmail as your relay with authentication? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ok done so what i done so far--- brath.local and, smtp.gmail.com:587 -Memory updated -Memory updated -Copilot said: -Copilot -✅ Perfect — you've now configured: - -System mail name: brath.local -Relay host: smtp.gmail.com:587 -This sets up Postfix to send mail through Gmail's SMTP server using port 587, which bypasses the blocked port 25 issue. - -🛠️ Next Steps (if not done yet): -Create authentication file: - - - - -Shell -sudo nano /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd -Add: - -[smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password -Secure the file: - - - - -Shell -sudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd -sudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db -Update Postfix config: Add these to /etc/postfix/main.cf: - - - - -INI -smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes -smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous -smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd -smtp_tls_security_level = encrypt -smtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt -Restart Postfix: - - - - -Shell -sudo systemctl restart postfix -Would you like help verifying it's working by sending a test email from the command line? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ok what is app password ? I can give any -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great question — an App Password is a special password generated by Gmail that allows secure access to your account by apps (like Postfix), without using your main Gmail password. - -🔐 Why You Need an App Password -Gmail blocks access from "less secure apps" using your regular password. -App Passwords are required when using Gmail SMTP with Postfix or other mail clients. -They work only if you have 2-Step Verification enabled on your Gmail account. -✅ How to Get an App Password -Go to: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords -Sign in and verify your identity. -Under "Select app", choose Mail. -Under "Select device", choose Other and type something like Postfix. -Click Generate. -Copy the 16-character password shown — this is your App Password. -You’ll use this in your /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd file like: - -[smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password -❌ You Cannot Just Make One Up -It must be generated by Google — otherwise Gmail will reject the connection. - -Would you like help securing and testing your Postfix setup once you have the App Password? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ok I am using gmail smtp in hidden way but I can send email to any server -Copilot said: -Copilot -Yes — by configuring Postfix to use Gmail's SMTP server (smtp.gmail.com:587), you're now sending email through Gmail as a relay, even though it's happening "in the background." - -✅ What This Means: -Your VM sends mail to Gmail’s SMTP server. -Gmail then relays that mail to any destination (e.g., user@example.com, admin@university.edu, etc.). -You can send mail to any valid email address, as long as Gmail accepts and relays it. -🔒 Important Notes: -Gmail will only relay mail from your authenticated Gmail account. -You can't spoof other domains unless you're using Google Workspace with domain verification. -Gmail may enforce sending limits (e.g., ~500 emails/day for personal accounts). -Would you like to test sending an email now to confirm everything is working? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -Gmail will only relay mail from your authenticated Gmail account--- what do u mean? email comes from vm machine not my gmail? -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great question — let’s clarify how Gmail SMTP works when used as a relay: - -🔐 What “Authenticated Gmail Account” Means -When you configure Postfix to use Gmail’s SMTP server (smtp.gmail.com:587), you must authenticate using your Gmail credentials (via an App Password). This means: - -Gmail knows the mail is coming from your Gmail account, even though it's being sent from your VM. -The "From" address in the email must match (or be allowed by) your Gmail account. -🧠 So Where Does the Email Appear to Come From? -If you send mail using: - - - - -Shell -echo "Hello" | mail -s "Test" someone@example.com -and Postfix is configured to relay through Gmail, the recipient will see something like: - -From: your@gmail.com -Even though the email was sent from your VM, Gmail relays it on behalf of your account, so it appears to come from your Gmail address. - -⚠️ Can You Fake the "From" Address? -Not reliably. Gmail will: - -Rewrite or reject messages with unauthorized "From" addresses. -Require domain verification if you're using Google Workspace and want to send from custom domains. -Would you like to test sending an email now and see how it appears in the recipient’s inbox? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ok if my smtp port opened and done through that, my email will from like brath.local -Copilot said: -Copilot -Exactly — if your VM had SMTP port 25 open and you configured Postfix to send mail directly (without a relay like Gmail), then: - -✅ The email would appear to come from your VM's domain -For example: - -If your system mail name is brath.local -And you send mail from root -Then the recipient would see something like: - -From: root@brath.local -⚠️ But Here's the Catch: -brath.local is not a real, publicly resolvable domain. -Most mail servers (like Gmail, Outlook) will reject or mark it as spam because: -It lacks proper DNS records (like SPF, DKIM, and reverse DNS). -It looks suspicious or unauthenticated. -🛡️ Why Using a Relay (like Gmail) Is Better: -Gmail handles all the DNS, authentication, and reputation. -Your email is more likely to be delivered successfully and not flagged as spam. -Would you like to test sending mail from your VM now and see how it appears in the inbox? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ok if I register my brath.local with my vm public ip address -Copilot said: -Copilot -If you register brath.local to point to your VM's public IP address, you're essentially trying to make your VM's hostname resolvable on the internet. Here's what that means and what it can (and can't) do: - -✅ What You Can Achieve -DNS Resolution: - -If you own a domain and configure DNS to point brath.local to your VM's public IP, then external systems can resolve it. -This helps with email delivery, web hosting, and general server identity. -Improved Email Reputation (if done properly): - -You can set up SPF, DKIM, and reverse DNS records. -This makes your emails look more legitimate and reduces the chance of being marked as spam. -⚠️ Limitations of Using .local -.local is a reserved domain used for local network discovery (e.g., mDNS/Bonjour). -It’s not valid on the public internet — you can't register it with a public DNS provider. -Most mail servers will reject mail from brath.local because it's not a real domain. -✅ Recommended Approach -If you want to send mail directly from your VM (without Gmail), consider: - -Registering a real domain (e.g., brathaban.com) -Setting up DNS records: -A record pointing to your VM’s public IP -PTR (reverse DNS) record -SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email authentication -Would you like help choosing a domain and setting up DNS for email delivery? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -I mean I dont need to own a domain? is that same like paying godaddy to register my brath.loca with vm public ip address -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great question — and you're thinking in the right direction! - -🧠 Here's the key point: -You do need to own a domain if you want to register something like brath.local publicly and associate it with your VM's public IP. - -❌ You Cannot Register .local Domains Publicly -.local is a reserved domain suffix used for local network discovery (e.g., mDNS/Bonjour). -You cannot register brath.local with a public DNS provider like GoDaddy or Cloudflare. -Public DNS systems will not resolve .local domains. -✅ What You Can Do Instead -If you want your VM to send mail directly and be trusted by other mail servers: - -Buy a real domain (e.g., brathaban.com) from GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc. -Set up DNS records: -A record pointing to your VM’s public IP. -PTR (reverse DNS) record — often set via your cloud provider. -SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for email authentication. -This makes your VM look like a legitimate mail server, and your emails are more likely to be delivered successfully. - -Would you like help choosing a domain or setting up DNS records for email delivery? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -so first I buy a domain name in godaddy. then I go to a dns website and enter my domain with my public ip and register? -Copilot said: -Copilot -You're on the right track! Here's how the process works step-by-step: - -✅ Step-by-Step: Registering a Domain and Pointing It to Your VM -1. Buy a Domain Name -Use a registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains. -Example: You buy brathaban.com. -2. Access DNS Settings -After purchase, go to your domain's DNS management panel (usually provided by the registrar). -This is where you configure how your domain behaves. -3. Create DNS Records -To point your domain to your VM: - -A Record: - -Host: @ (or brathaban.com) -Value: Your VM's public IP address -TTL: Default (e.g., 3600 seconds) -Optional Subdomain (e.g., mail.brathaban.com): - -Host: mail -Value: Same public IP -This can be used for mail server identity. -4. (Optional but Recommended) Set Up Email Authentication -If you're sending mail directly from your VM: - -SPF Record: Authorizes your VM to send mail for your domain. -DKIM Record: Signs your mail to prove authenticity. -DMARC Record: Tells receiving servers how to handle unauthenticated mail. -🧠 Summary: -You do need to buy a domain to make it publicly resolvable. -You don’t need a separate DNS provider — GoDaddy includes DNS management. -Once DNS is set, your VM can send mail from user@brathaban.com, and it will look legitimate. -Would you like help setting up the DNS records or configuring Postfix to use your new domain? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -so both buy domain name then create dns record need to happen inside godaddy -Copilot said: -Copilot -Yes — when you buy a domain name from GoDaddy, you can also manage its DNS records directly within GoDaddy. You do not need a separate DNS provider unless you want more advanced DNS features. - -✅ Here's What Happens Inside GoDaddy: -Buy the domain (e.g., brathaban.com). -Go to GoDaddy's DNS Management Panel for that domain. -Create DNS records like: -A Record: Points your domain to your VM’s public IP. -MX Record: If you want to receive mail. -SPF, DKIM, DMARC: For email authentication (optional but recommended). -🧠 Summary: -You buy the domain and configure DNS all inside GoDaddy. -No need to use Cloudflare, Route53, or other DNS services unless you want extra control. -Would you like help setting up the A record or SPF for your VM once you’ve bought the domain? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -so lets say I want to create mx in godaddy -Copilot said: -Copilot -Perfect — if you want to create an MX record in GoDaddy, here’s how you can do it step-by-step: - -✅ Steps to Create an MX Record in GoDaddy -Log in to your GoDaddy account. -Go to My Products and find your domain (e.g., brathaban.com). -Click DNS or Manage DNS next to your domain. -Scroll down to the Records section. -Click Add and choose MX from the dropdown. -📝 Fill in the MX Record Details: -Field Value -Host @ (means the root domain) -Points to Mail server address (e.g., smtp.gmail.com or your own mail server) -Priority 10 (lower number = higher priority) -TTL Default (e.g., 1 hour or 3600 seconds) -If you're using Gmail (Google Workspace), the MX records are different — let me know if that's the case. - -🔍 What MX Records Do: -They tell other mail servers where to deliver incoming mail for your domain. -If you're only sending mail (not receiving), MX records are not required. -Would you like help setting up MX records for Gmail or for your own VM-based mail server? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -lets say in postfix instead of doing brath.local, I did brath.abc -Copilot said: -Copilot -If you set your Postfix system mail name to brath.abc instead of brath.local, here's what changes: - -🧠 What the Mail Name Affects -The system mail name is used to "qualify" local email addresses. For example: - -If you send mail from root, Postfix will treat it as root@brath.abc. -✅ Is brath.abc Valid? -Technically yes, Postfix will accept it. -But brath.abc is not a real domain unless you register it. -Most external mail servers (like Gmail, Outlook) will reject or flag mail from unregistered or non-resolvable domains. -✅ Best Practice -If you want your mail to be trusted and delivered reliably: - -Use a real, registered domain (e.g., brathaban.com). -Set your system mail name to match that domain. -Configure DNS records (SPF, DKIM, etc.) to authenticate your mail. -Would you like help updating your Postfix config to use a real domain once you register it? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -okay lets say brath.com -Copilot said: -Copilot -Perfect — if you use brath.com as your domain name in Postfix, you're now aligning your mail server with a real, publicly resolvable domain, which is ideal for reliable email delivery. - -✅ What You Can Do with brath.com: -Set your Postfix system mail name to: - -brath.com -Configure DNS records in GoDaddy: - -A Record: Point brath.com to your VM’s public IP. -MX Record: If you want to receive mail. -SPF Record: Authorize your VM to send mail for brath.com. -DKIM & DMARC: Improve trust and reduce spam filtering. -Send mail from addresses like: - -root@brath.com -noreply@brath.com -🧠 Why This Is Better Than .local or .abc: -brath.com is a real domain, so other mail servers can verify it. -You can set up proper authentication and reputation. -Your emails are more likely to be delivered successfully and not marked as spam. -Would you like help setting up the DNS records for brath.com or configuring Postfix to use it properly? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -in mx record name I put -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great — you're now setting up an MX record for your domain (e.g., brath.com) in GoDaddy. - -✅ What to Enter in the “Name” Field of the MX Record -In GoDaddy’s DNS panel, when adding an MX record: - -Field What to Enter -Name @ (this means the root domain, i.e., brath.com) -Value The mail server address (e.g., mail.brath.com or smtp.gmail.com if using Gmail) -Priority 10 (lower number = higher priority) -TTL Default (e.g., 1 hour or 3600 seconds) -🧠 Why Use @ in the Name Field? -@ tells GoDaddy that this MX record applies to the main domain (brath.com). -If you want to set up mail for a subdomain (like support.brath.com), you’d enter support instead. -Would you like help choosing the right mail server value for the MX record based on whether you're using Gmail, your own VM, or another provider? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -then after that I can startb sending emails from brath@brathaban.com -Copilot said: -Copilot -Yes — once you've: - -Bought the domain (e.g., brathaban.com), -Set up DNS records (like A, MX, SPF), -Configured Postfix to use brathaban.com as your system mail name, -you can start sending emails from addresses like: - -brath@brathaban.com -✅ What Makes This Work: -Your domain is publicly resolvable. -Your DNS records support email delivery. -Postfix is configured to send mail either directly or via a relay (like Gmail). -🧪 Next Steps: -Would you like help sending a test email from brath@brathaban.com to verify everything is working? Or setting up SPF/DKIM to improve deliverability? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -so u remember before I had to configure [smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password, sudo nano /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd because I was using gmail relay. but now I started using smtp and opening port 25 so now what configurations needed locally -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great — now that you're no longer using Gmail as a relay and instead sending mail directly via SMTP on port 25, your Postfix configuration needs to be adjusted accordingly. - -✅ What You No Longer Need: -You do not need /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd or Gmail credentials. -You do not need smtp.gmail.com:587 as your relay host. -🛠️ What You Need to Configure Locally: -1. Remove or Comment Out Gmail Relay Settings -In /etc/postfix/main.cf, remove or comment out: - - - - -INI -relayhost = [smtp.gmail.com]:587 -smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes -smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd -smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous -smtp_tls_security_level = encrypt -smtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt -2. Set Your Own Domain -Make sure your system mail name matches your domain: - - - - -INI -myhostname = mail.brathaban.com -mydomain = brathaban.com -myorigin = $mydomain -3. Enable Direct SMTP Delivery -Postfix will now deliver mail directly to recipient servers using DNS MX lookups. - -4. Set Up DNS Records -On GoDaddy: - -A Record: mail.brathaban.com → your VM’s public IP -PTR Record: Reverse DNS (set via your cloud provider) -SPF Record: Authorize your VM to send mail for brathaban.com -DKIM & DMARC: Optional but recommended -✅ Final Step: Restart Postfix - - - -Shell -sudo systemctl restart postfix -Would you like help verifying your DNS records or sending a test email to confirm it's working? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -why I never had to use pop3 or imap settings throughout the process -Copilot said: -Copilot -Excellent question — the reason you never had to use POP3 or IMAP settings throughout your email setup process is because: - -🧠 POP3 and IMAP Are for Receiving Email -You’ve been focused on sending email using Postfix, which uses SMTP. - -Protocol Purpose Used in Your Setup? -SMTP Sending email ✅ Yes — via Gmail relay or direct SMTP -POP3 Downloading email from a server ❌ Not needed unless you're receiving mail -IMAP Syncing email across devices ❌ Not needed unless you're receiving mail -✅ Why You Didn't Need POP3/IMAP: -You’re not setting up a mail client (like Thunderbird or Outlook). -You’re not trying to receive mail on your VM. -Your focus is on sending mail from cron jobs, scripts, or Postfix. -🛠️ When You Would Need POP3 or IMAP: -If you want to receive mail sent to brath@brathaban.com on your VM. -If you're setting up a full mail server (e.g., with Dovecot). -If you want to read incoming mail from your domain using a mail client. -Would you like help setting up mail reception (POP3/IMAP) or just stick with sending for now? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -but in godaddy DNS management portal I set up mx and my vm public ip to recieve -Copilot said: -Copilot -Great follow-up! You're absolutely right to ask this — here's the key clarification: - -🧠 Why You Still Don’t Receive Mail Just by Setting an MX Record -Setting an MX record in GoDaddy pointing to your VM's public IP is only one part of enabling mail reception. To actually receive emails at brath@brathaban.com, you need: - -✅ 1. A Mail Server That Handles Incoming Mail -Postfix by itself is mainly for sending mail. To receive mail, you need to install and configure a POP3/IMAP server, such as: - -Dovecot (most common) -Courier -Or use a hosted mail service (like Google Workspace or Zoho) -✅ 2. Open Port 25 (SMTP) on Your VM -You've already done this — good! This allows other mail servers to connect to yours to deliver mail. - -✅ 3. Configure Postfix to Accept Incoming Mail -Postfix must be configured to: - -Accept mail for your domain (brathaban.com) -Route it to local users (e.g., brath) -Optionally deliver it to a mailbox that Dovecot can serve via IMAP/POP3 -✅ 4. Set Up Mailboxes and Access -To read incoming mail: - -You need a mailbox for brath@brathaban.com -You need Dovecot or similar to expose that mailbox via IMAP or POP3 -You can then connect using a mail client (e.g., Thunderbird, Outlook, or Gmail app) -🧪 Summary: -MX record tells other servers where to send mail. -But you need a receiving mail server (like Dovecot) to actually accept and store that mail. -Without it, mail sent to brath@brathaban.com will bounce or be lost. -Would you like help installing Dovecot and setting up your VM to receive and store mail properly? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -ok so all I did codes cannot be wrong. I copied all your codes and did in crontab i set the time and sent. email didnt recieve by recipient. Where could have been the mistake -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for summarizing — let’s troubleshoot why your email didn’t reach the recipient even though you followed all the steps. - -✅ What You Did: -Configured Postfix with your domain (brathaban.com) -Set up DNS records in GoDaddy (A and MX) -Opened port 25 on your VM -Created a cron job to send email using mail or Postfix -🧪 Possible Reasons the Email Was Not Received: -1. Missing or Incorrect DNS Records -SPF: Needed to authorize your VM to send mail for brathaban.com -PTR (Reverse DNS): Needed for many mail servers to trust your IP -DKIM/DMARC: Optional but improves deliverability -2. Your IP Reputation -If your VM’s public IP is new or from a cloud provider, it may have low trust or be blacklisted. -Many mail servers (like Gmail) reject mail from unknown or unauthenticated sources. -3. Postfix Misconfiguration -The From: address might not match your domain. -Postfix might not be routing mail correctly. -4. Firewall or Port Issues -Port 25 might be open on your VM but blocked by your cloud provider (e.g., Azure, AWS). -You can test with: - - - -Shell -telnet gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com 25 -5. Mail Client or Cron Output -If you used mail in cron, make sure the output is actually being piped to Postfix. -Check /var/log/mail.log or /var/log/syslog for errors. -✅ What You Can Do Next: -Check mail logs: - - - - -Shell -sudo tail -n 50 /var/log/mail.log -Send a manual test email: - - - - -Shell -echo "Test message" | mail -s "Test Subject" recipient@example.com -Verify DNS records: - -SPF: v=spf1 ip4: -all -PTR: Set via your cloud provider -MX: Points to your VM’s public IP -Would you like to share your DNS records or mail log output so I can help pinpoint the issue? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -no wait. no godaddy thing.i used gmail smtp as relay so its my gmail used -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for clarifying — since you're using Gmail SMTP as a relay, here's a checklist to help you troubleshoot why the email wasn't received: - -✅ What You’ve Done: -Configured Postfix to use Gmail SMTP: -relayhost = [smtp.gmail.com]:587 -Created /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd with: -[smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password -Ran postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd and secured the file. -Restarted Postfix. -Used a cron job to send mail via mail or echo "..." | mail -s .... -🧪 Possible Reasons the Email Wasn't Received: -1. App Password Not Set or Incorrect -Make sure you generated a Gmail App Password and used it in sasl_passwd. -2. Postfix Not Using the Relay -Check /etc/postfix/main.cf for: - - - -INI -smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes -smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd -smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous -smtp_tls_security_level = encrypt -smtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt -3. Mail Not Sent or Queued -Run: - - - -Shell -mailq -to see if mail is stuck in the queue. -4. Logs Show Errors -Check: - - - -Shell -sudo tail -n 50 /var/log/mail.log -for authentication errors, connection issues, or delivery failures. -5. Cron Job Output Not Routed Properly -Make sure your cron job is actually triggering the mail command. -Try running the same command manually to test. -✅ Quick Manual Test -Try this from the terminal: - - - - -Shell -echo "Test message" | mail -s "Test Subject" recipient@example.com -Then check the logs and mailq. - -Would you like to share your main.cf and mail.log output so I can help pinpoint the issue? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -A19C3411E5 641 Fri Oct 3 21:10:10 brathaban@Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net -(SASL authentication failed; server smtp.gmail.com[142.251.12.108] said: 535-5.7.8 Username and Password not accepted. For more information, go to?535 5.7.8 https://support.google.com/mail/?p=BadCredentials 98e67ed59e1d1-339c4a324ccsm1948993a91.18 - gsmtp) -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for sharing the error — this message confirms the issue: - -(SASL authentication failed; server smtp.gmail.com said: 535-5.7.8 Username and Password not accepted) -❌ What This Means: -Gmail rejected your login credentials when Postfix tried to send mail through its SMTP server. - -✅ Likely Causes: -1. Incorrect App Password -You must use a Gmail App Password, not your regular Gmail password. -App Passwords are only available if 2-Step Verification is enabled on your Gmail account. -2. Wrong Gmail Username -Make sure the email address in /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd is exactly your Gmail address. -3. File Not Processed or Secured -You must run: - - - -Shell -sudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd -And secure the file: - - - -Shell -sudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db -✅ What You Should Do Now: -Generate a Gmail App Password: - -Go to: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords -Choose Mail and Other (Postfix). -Copy the 16-character password. -Update /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd: - - - - -Shell -[smtp.gmail.com]:587 your@gmail.com:your_app_password -Run: - - - - -Shell -sudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd -sudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db -sudo systemctl restart postfix -Then try sending a test email again. - -Would you like help verifying the file contents or testing the connection after updating the password? - - - - - - - - -You said: - -mailq: warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt -postqueue: warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt --Queue ID- --Size-- ----Arrival Time---- -Sender/Recipient------- -CBAEA41630 488 Fri Oct 3 21:29:06 brathaban@Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net -(connect to smtp.gmail.com[2404:6800:4003:c00::6c]:587: Network is unreachable) - ddsunshine7@gmail.com -Copilot said: -Copilot -Thanks for the update — this log entry gives us two clear issues: - -❌ Error 1: Authentication Failure (Earlier) -535-5.7.8 Username and Password not accepted -✅ You already addressed this by updating your Gmail App Password. - -❌ Error 2: Network Unreachable (Now) -(connect to smtp.gmail.com[2404:6800:4003:c00::6c]:587: Network is unreachable) -This means Postfix is trying to connect to Gmail’s SMTP server using IPv6, but your VM doesn’t have IPv6 connectivity. - -✅ Fix: Force Postfix to Use IPv4 -Edit your Postfix config (/etc/postfix/main.cf) and add: - - - - -INI -inet_protocols = ipv4 -Then restart Postfix: - - - - -Shell -sudo systemctl restart postfix -This tells Postfix to only use IPv4, which your VM supports. - -🧪 After That: -Try sending the email again manually or wait for the cron job to trigger. You can check the queue with: - - - - -Shell -mailq -And clear it if needed: - - - - -Shell -sudo postsuper -d ALL -Would you like help verifying the config or testing the email again after this fix? - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The message in the image — "The setting you are looking for is not available for your account" — means that App Passwords are currently not available for your Google account. This typically happens for one of the following reasons: -🔒 Common Reasons App Passwords Are Unavailable: - - -2-Step Verification is not enabled -App passwords require that you first enable 2-Step Verification (2SV) on your Google account. - - -Your account is managed by an organization (e.g., school or work) -If you're using a Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) account, the administrator may have disabled this feature. - - -Advanced Protection Program is enabled -If you're enrolled in Google's Advanced Protection Program, app passwords are not supported. - - - -✅ How to Enable App Passwords (if eligible): - -Go to Google Account Security Settings. -Under "Signing in to Google", enable 2-Step Verification. -Once 2SV is enabled, return to the same page and you should see the App Passwords option appear. -Use it to generate a password for apps like Postfix, Outlook, Thunderbird, etc. - - -Would you like help checking if 2-Step Verification is enabled or guidance on setting it up? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: google app password 16 character came but each 4 had a space in betweenCopilot said: CopilotYes, that's completely normal! -When Google generates a 16-character app password, it often displays it in this format for readability: -abcd efgh ijkl mnop - -Each group of 4 characters is separated by a space, but you should enter it as a continuous string (without spaces) when configuring it in your app or service. -✅ Example: -If Google shows: -xzyw abcd efgh ijkl - -You should enter: -xzywabcdefghijkl - -Let me know if you're using this for something like Postfix, Outlook, or another app, and I can help you plug it in correctly. -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: sudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db what these command doesCopilot said: CopilotThe command you mentioned: -Shellsudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.dbShow more lines -does the following: -🔐 chmod 600 -This sets file permissions so that: - -The owner of the file can read and write. -No one else (not even other users or groups) can read, write, or execute the file. - -📁 Files affected: - -/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd: This file contains your SMTP credentials (like your Gmail username and app password). -/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db: This is the hashed database version of the above file, created using postmap. - -✅ Why this is important: -These files contain sensitive login information, so it's critical to restrict access to prevent unauthorized users from reading your credentials. -Summary: -You're locking down access to your SMTP credentials so only the root user (or whoever owns the file) can read or modify them — a best practice for security. -Would you like to verify if the permissions are set correctly or need help with the rest of your Postfix setup? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: can i edit the file after doing these especially to change emailCopilot said: CopilotYes, you can still edit the file after running: -Shellsudo chmod 600 /etc/postfix/sasl_passwdShow more lines -However, there are a few things to keep in mind: - -🔧 To Edit the File: -You’ll need to use a text editor with root privileges, since the file is now only readable/writable by the owner (typically root): -Shellsudo nano /etc/postfix/sasl_passwdShow more lines -Or use vim, vi, or any other editor you prefer with sudo. -✏️ After Editing: -If you change the email or password inside /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd, you must regenerate the .db file using: -Shellsudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwdShow more lines -This updates /etc/postfix/sasl_passwd.db with the new credentials. - -🔐 Then, restart Postfix: -Shellsudo systemctl restart postfixShow more lines - -Let me know if you want help editing the file or verifying the format (e.g., smtp.gmail.com:587 your_email@gmail.com:your_app_password). -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: mailq: warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt -postqueue: warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt --Queue ID- --Size-- ----Arrival Time---- -Sender/Recipient------- -CBAEA41630 488 Fri Oct 3 21:29:06 brathaban@Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net -(connect to smtp.gmail.com[2404:6800:4003:c04::6d]:587: Network is unreachable) - ddsunshine7@gmail.comCopilot said: CopilotThanks for sharing the error. Here's a breakdown of what's happening and how to fix it: - -⚠️ Error Explanation: -(connect to smtp.gmail.com[2404:6800:4003:c04::6d]:587: Network is unreachable) - -This means Postfix is trying to connect to Gmail's SMTP server using IPv6, but your system or network doesn't support IPv6, so the connection fails. - -✅ Fix: Force Postfix to use IPv4 -Edit your Postfix configuration file: -Shellsudo nano /etc/postfix/main.cfShow more lines -Add or modify this line: -INIinet_protocols = ipv4Show more lines -Then restart Postfix: -Shellsudo systemctl restart postfixShow more lines - -⚠️ Warning About smtp_tls_security_level: -You also got this warning: -warning: /etc/postfix/main.cf, line 45: overriding earlier entry: smtp_tls_security_level=encrypt - -This means smtp_tls_security_level was defined more than once in your main.cf. Postfix will use the last one, but it's best to clean it up. -✅ To fix: - -Open /etc/postfix/main.cf -Remove or comment out the duplicate line(s) -Keep only one line like: - -INIsmtp_tls_security_level = encryptShow more lines - -Would you like me to help you review your full main.cf to make sure everything is correct for Gmail relay? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: now ok ? --- smtp_sasl_auth_enable = yes -smtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymous -smtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwd -smtp_tls_security_level = encrypt -smtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt - - - - - - -# TLS parameters -smtpd_tls_cert_file=/etc/ssl/certs/ssl-cert-snakeoil.pem -smtpd_tls_key_file=/etc/ssl/private/ssl-cert-snakeoil.key - - -smtp_tls_CApath=/etc/ssl/certs -smtp_tls_session_cache_database = btree:${data_directory}/smtp_scache - - -smtpd_relay_restrictions = permit_mynetworks permit_sasl_authenticated defer_unauth_destination -myhostname = Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net -alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases -alias_database = hash:/etc/aliases -myorigin = /etc/mailname -mydestination = Brath1.local, $myhostname, Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net, localhost.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net, localhostCopilot said: CopilotThanks for sharing your main.cf configuration. Here's a quick review and confirmation: - -✅ Your Gmail Relay Settings Look Good: -INIsmtp_sasl_auth_enable = yessmtp_sasl_security_options = noanonymoussmtp_sasl_password_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/sasl_passwdsmtp_tls_security_level = encryptsmtp_tls_CAfile = /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crtShow more lines -These are correct for authenticating with Gmail using an app password. - -✅ TLS Parameters: -INIsmtpd_tls_cert_file=/etc/ssl/certs/ssl-cert-snakeoil.pemsmtpd_tls_key_file=/etc/ssl/private/ssl-cert-snakeoil.keysmtp_tls_CApath=/etc/ssl/certssmtp_tls_session_cache_database = btree:${data_directory}/smtp_scacheShow more lines -These are fine for basic TLS support. The "snakeoil" certs are default self-signed ones — okay for testing, but not recommended for production. - -✅ Relay Restrictions: -INIsmtpd_relay_restrictions = permit_mynetworks permit_sasl_authenticated defer_unauth_destinationShow more lines -This is standard and secure. - -✅ Hostname and Destination: -INImyhostname = Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.netmyorigin = /etc/mailnamemydestination = Brath1.local, $myhostname, Brath1.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net, localhost.fskdshpngjse1c2qtinjfqe5vb.px.internal.cloudapp.net, localhostShow more lines -These are fine. Just make sure /etc/mailname contains a valid domain (e.g., brath.local or your Gmail address domain). - -✅ Final Check: Force IPv4 -Make sure this line is also present to avoid the "Network is unreachable" error: -INIinet_protocols = ipv4Show more lines -If it's missing, add it. - -🔄 After Changes: -Run these commands to apply everything: -Shellsudo postmap /etc/postfix/sasl_passwdsudo systemctl restart postfixShow more lines - -Would you like to test sending a mail now and check mailq again? I can help interpret the result. -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: successMemory updatedMemory updatedCopilot said: Copilot🎉 Awesome! You've successfully configured Postfix to relay mail through Gmail using app passwords — and resolved the IPv6 issue by forcing IPv4. That's a solid setup! -Would you like help with: - -Setting up mail aliases or forwarding? -Monitoring mail logs? -Sending automated emails from scripts or apps? - -Let me know how you'd like to build on this! -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: also can install postfix on vindows and do same in windows yea from powershellCopilot said: CopilotPostfix is a Linux-based mail transfer agent (MTA), and unfortunately, it cannot be installed natively on Windows — it's not designed to run on Windows systems. -However, you have a few options if you want to send mail from Windows using Gmail and app passwords: - -✅ Option 1: Use PowerShell to Send Mail via Gmail -You can use PowerShell's Send-MailMessage cmdlet with Gmail's SMTP server: -PowerShell$EmailFrom = "your_email@gmail.com"$EmailTo = "recipient@example.com"$Subject = "Test Email"$Body = "This is a test email sent from PowerShell"$SMTPServer = "smtp.gmail.com"$SMTPPort = 587$Username = "your_email@gmail.com"$Password = "your_app_password" # 16-character app password$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $Password -AsPlainText -Force$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential($Username, $SecurePassword)Send-MailMessage -From $EmailFrom -To $EmailTo -Subject $Subject -Body $Body -SmtpServer $SMTPServer -Port $SMTPPort -UseSsl -Credential $CredentialShow more lines - -⚠️ Note: Send-MailMessage is deprecated in newer PowerShell versions, but still works. For production use, consider using MailKit or System.Net.Mail in C# or PowerShell scripts. - - -✅ Option 2: Use WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) -If you really want to use Postfix on Windows, you can install WSL (Ubuntu or Debian) and then install Postfix inside that Linux environment: -Shellsudo apt updatesudo apt install postfixShow more lines -Then configure it just like you did on your Azure VM. - -Would you like help setting up the PowerShell script or installing WSL and Postfix inside it? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: you want me to create that file and execute in powershell? --- -$EmailFrom = "your_email@gmail.com" -$EmailTo = "recipient@example.com" -$Subject = "Test Email" -$Body = "This is a test email sent from PowerShell" -$SMTPServer = "smtp.gmail.com" -$SMTPPort = 587 -$Username = "your_email@gmail.com" -$Password = "your_app_password" # 16-character app password - -$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $Password -AsPlainText -Force -$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential($Username, $SecurePassword) - -Send-MailMessage -From $EmailFrom -To $EmailTo -Subject $Subject -Body $Body -SmtpServer $SMTPServer -Port $SMTPPort -UseSsl -Credential $CredentialCopilot said: CopilotAnalysisPython# Create a PowerShell script file that sends an email using Gmail SMTP and app password# Define the content of the PowerShell scriptpowershell_script = '''\$EmailFrom = "your_email@gmail.com"$EmailTo = "recipient@example.com"$Subject = "Test Email"$Body = "This is a test email sent from PowerShell"$SMTPServer = "smtp.gmail.com"$SMTPPort = 587$Username = "your_email@gmail.com"$Password = "your_app_password" # 16-character app password$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $Password -AsPlainText -Force$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential($Username, $SecurePassword)Send-MailMessage -From $EmailFrom -To $EmailTo -Subject $Subject -Body $Body -SmtpServer $SMTPServer -Port $SMTPPort -UseSsl -Credential $Credential'''# Save the script to a .ps1 filewith open("send_email_gmail.ps1", "w") as file: file.write(powershell_script)Show more lines -Here’s your PowerShell script file ready to use: -📄 send_email_gmail.ps1 -✅ Instructions: - - -Open the file in a text editor and replace: - -your_email@gmail.com with your Gmail address -recipient@example.com with the recipient's email -your_app_password with your 16-character Gmail app password - - - -Run the script in PowerShell: - -Open PowerShell as Administrator -Navigate to the folder where the script is saved -Run: -PowerShell.\send_email_gmail.ps1Show more lines - - - - -Let me know if you'd like to add attachments, HTML formatting, or logging to the script! -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: oh ok in windows yea?Copilot said: CopilotYes, you can absolutely run that PowerShell script on Windows — it’s designed for that environment. -✅ What You Need: - -A Windows machine with PowerShell (already built-in). -Your Gmail address and 16-character app password. -Internet access (to reach Gmail's SMTP server). - -🧾 Steps: - - -Download the script: -send_email_gmail.ps1 - - -Edit the script: - -Replace: -PowerShell"your_email@gmail.com""recipient@example.com""your_app_password"Show more lines -with your actual Gmail and app password. - - - -Run the script: - -Open PowerShell as Administrator. -Navigate to the folder where the script is saved. -Run: -PowerShell.\send_email_gmail.ps1Show more lines - - - - - -Would you like me to customize the script further — like adding attachments, HTML formatting, or logging the result to a file? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: so instead of postfix it is using send-mail messageCopilot said: CopilotExactly! On Windows, instead of using Postfix (which is a Linux-based mail relay agent), you're using PowerShell's Send-MailMessage cmdlet to send emails directly via Gmail's SMTP server. -🔄 Comparison: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -FeaturePostfix (Linux)Send-MailMessage (Windows PowerShell)PlatformLinux/UnixWindowsUse caseMail server, relay, queue managementSimple email sending from scriptsSMTP AuthenticationYes (via config files)Yes (via credentials in script)TLS/SSL SupportYesYesApp Password SupportYes (via sasl_passwd)Yes (via secure string in script)Queueing & RetryYesNo (sends once, no retry logic)ComplexityMedium to HighLow - -✅ Summary: - -Postfix is great for server-side mail relay and queueing. -PowerShell is perfect for quick email tasks, automation, or scripting on Windows. - -Let me know if you'd like to build a more advanced PowerShell mail script — like sending logs, alerts, or attachments! -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: so I dont need to change file like i did in linux main.cfCopilot said: CopilotCorrect — on Windows, you do not need to edit a configuration file like main.cf (which is required for Postfix on Linux). -Instead, everything is handled within the PowerShell script itself, including: - -SMTP server settings (smtp.gmail.com, port 587) -TLS/SSL usage (-UseSsl) -Authentication (your Gmail + app password) -Email content (subject, body, recipient) - -✅ Summary: - -Linux/Postfix: Requires editing config files (main.cf, sasl_passwd, etc.) -Windows/PowerShell: Just write and run a script — no config files involved - -Would you like to test the script now or add features like attachments or HTML formatting? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: wow so that no need even password or app passwordCopilot said: CopilotActually — you do still need the app password when using Gmail's SMTP server, even in PowerShell. -🔐 Why? -Gmail does not allow regular passwords for SMTP access unless: - -You're using OAuth2 (complex setup) -Or you've enabled App Passwords (simpler and secure) - -So in your PowerShell script, this line: -PowerShell$Password = "your_app_password"Show more lines -must contain your 16-character app password generated from your Google account. - -✅ Summary: - -You don’t need to edit config files like in Linux/Postfix. -But you do need to use an app password for Gmail SMTP authentication. -This keeps your account secure while allowing external apps (like PowerShell) to send mail. - -Would you like help generating an app password or testing the script with real values? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: cmd also can doCopilot said: CopilotYes, you can send email from Windows Command Prompt (CMD) too — but not directly like in PowerShell. CMD itself doesn’t have built-in email capabilities, so you'd need to use one of the following: - -✅ Option 1: Run PowerShell from CMD -You can execute a PowerShell script from CMD like this: -BATpowershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Path\To\send_email_gmail.ps1"Show more lines -This lets you use the PowerShell script you already created, even from a CMD window. - -✅ Option 2: Use a Third-Party Tool (like blat) -If you want to send email directly from CMD without PowerShell, you can use tools like blat, which is a command-line SMTP mailer. -Example usage with blat: -BATblat -to recipient@example.com -subject "Test Email" -body "Hello from CMD" -server smtp.gmail.com -port 587 -u your_email@gmail.com -pw your_app_password -starttlsShow more lines - -⚠️ You still need your Gmail app password here. - - -Would you like help setting up blat or prefer sticking with PowerShell for simplicity? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: how about in powershell using smtp 25 directly no need relayCopilot said: CopilotUsing SMTP port 25 directly from PowerShell on Windows is technically possible, but not recommended and often blocked by: - -Gmail (it doesn’t allow unauthenticated SMTP on port 25) -Most ISPs and cloud providers (to prevent spam) -Firewalls (port 25 is often restricted) - - -🔍 Why You Still Need a Relay or Authentication: -Gmail and most modern mail servers require authentication and encryption, which port 25 typically doesn’t provide unless you manually implement STARTTLS and SMTP protocol handling — which is very complex in PowerShell. - -✅ Recommended Approach: -Stick with port 587 and use Gmail’s SMTP with app password and TLS, like you did in the PowerShell script: -PowerShellSend-MailMessage -SmtpServer "smtp.gmail.com" -Port 587 -UseSsl ...Show more lines -This is secure, supported, and works reliably. - -🛑 Summary: - -Port 25 is mostly for server-to-server mail delivery (Postfix, Exchange, etc.) -PowerShell + port 25 = not practical for sending mail via Gmail -Use port 587 with app password = secure and easy - -Would you like to try sending mail through a different provider or set up a local SMTP server for testing? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: i mean without using gmail. with my direct lik mail server using powershell onlyCopilot said: CopilotAh, I see what you're aiming for now — you'd like to send email directly from PowerShell to your own mail server, without using Gmail or any external relay. -Yes, that’s absolutely possible if you have your own SMTP server (e.g., running on your domain or local network) and it accepts connections on port 25 or another SMTP port. - -✅ PowerShell Example (Direct SMTP to Your Mail Server): -PowerShell$EmailFrom = "admin@yourdomain.com"$EmailTo = "recipient@yourdomain.com"$Subject = "Direct SMTP Test"$Body = "This is a test email sent directly to my mail server"$SMTPServer = "mail.yourdomain.com" # or IP address$SMTPPort = 25 # or 587, 465 depending on your server$Username = "admin@yourdomain.com"$Password = "your_password" # if authentication is required$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $Password -AsPlainText -Force$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential($Username, $SecurePassword)Send-MailMessage -From $EmailFrom -To $EmailTo -Subject $Subject -Body $Body -SmtpServer $SMTPServer -Port $SMTPPort -Credential $CredentialShow more lines - -🔧 Notes: - -If your server does not require authentication, you can omit the -Credential part. -If your server requires SSL/TLS, add -UseSsl. -Make sure your server accepts connections from your Windows machine (check firewall, IP allowlist, etc.). -If you're using a local mail server (e.g., IIS SMTP, hMailServer, Exchange), you can use localhost or its IP. - - -Would you like help testing this with your actual mail server or setting up a basic SMTP server on Windows for local testing? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: smtp server? install?Copilot said: CopilotYes, you can install an SMTP server on Windows to send mail directly without using Gmail or any external relay. -Here are a few options depending on your needs: - -✅ Option 1: IIS SMTP Server (Built-in) -Windows Server and some Windows editions include a basic SMTP server via IIS (Internet Information Services). -🔧 How to Install: - -Open Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off -Enable: - -SMTP Server -IIS 6 Management Console - - -Configure via IIS 6 Manager: - -Set up domains, relay restrictions, and delivery options. - - - - -🛠️ This is basic and good for local or internal mail testing. - - -✅ Option 2: hMailServer (Free & Powerful) -hMailServer is a free, open-source SMTP/POP3/IMAP server for Windows. -🔧 Features: - -Full SMTP support -Authentication -SSL/TLS -Webmail integration -Logging and diagnostics - -🔧 Setup: - -Download and install hMailServer. -Configure: - -Domain and SMTP settings -Users and passwords -Relay and security options - - - - -🛡️ Great for testing or small-scale production use. - - -✅ Option 3: MailEnable (Free & Commercial) -MailEnable offers a free edition with SMTP support and more advanced features in paid versions. - -✅ After Installation: -Once your SMTP server is running, you can use PowerShell like this: -PowerShellSend-MailMessage -From "admin@yourdomain.com" -To "user@yourdomain.com" -Subject "Test" -Body "Hello" -SmtpServer "localhost" -Port 25Show more lines - -You can replace "localhost" with your server's IP or hostname. - - -Would you like help installing hMailServer or configuring IIS SMTP for your setup? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: but I need to create my domain and allCopilot said: CopilotYes — if you want to send email directly from PowerShell using your own SMTP server, then yes, you’ll need to: - -✅ 1. Set Up Your Own Mail Domain -This means: - -Registering a domain name (e.g., brathaban.com) -Setting up DNS records: - -MX record pointing to your mail server -SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email authentication and deliverability - - - - -✅ 2. Install an SMTP Server -You can install one on your Windows machine, such as: - -hMailServer (free and easy to configure) -MailEnable (free and commercial editions) -IIS SMTP Server (basic, built-in for Windows Server) - - -✅ 3. Configure the SMTP Server - -Add your domain -Create email accounts (e.g., admin@brathaban.com) -Set up relay rules, authentication, and TLS if needed - - -✅ 4. Send Mail from PowerShell -Once your server is running and reachable, you can use: -PowerShellSend-MailMessage -From "admin@brathaban.com" -To "someone@example.com" -Subject "Test" -Body "Hello" -SmtpServer "mail.brathaban.com" -Port 25Show more lines -If your server requires authentication: -PowerShell$SecurePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString "your_password" -AsPlainText -Force$Credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential("admin@brathaban.com", $SecurePassword)Send-MailMessage -From "admin@brathaban.com" -To "someone@example.com" -Subject "Test" -Body "Hello" -SmtpServer "mail.brathaban.com" -Port 25 -Credential $CredentialShow more lines - -Would you like help setting up hMailServer or configuring DNS records for your domain? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: is there a file for that to do these, like postfix --- Configure the SMTP Server - -Add your domain -Create email accounts (e.g., admin@brathaban.com) -Set up relay rules, authentication, and TLS if neededCopilot said: CopilotAnalysisPythonfrom docx import Documentfrom docx.shared import Ptfrom docx.enum.text import WD_PARAGRAPH_ALIGNMENT# Create a new Word document from the blank templatedoc = Document("/app/scripts/word_blank.docx")# Titletitle = doc.add_paragraph("hMailServer SMTP Configuration Template", style="Title")title.alignment = WD_PARAGRAPH_ALIGNMENT.CENTER# Introductiondoc.add_paragraph("This document provides a configuration template for setting up a basic SMTP server using hMailServer on Windows. Replace the placeholders with your actual values.", style="Normal")# Configuration Sectionssections = { "1. Domain Configuration": [ "Domain Name: yourdomain.com", "SMTP Hostname: mail.yourdomain.com" ], "2. Email Accounts": [ "Account 1: admin@yourdomain.com", "Account 2: user@yourdomain.com" ], "3. Relay Rules": [ "Allow relay for: Local to external (authenticated users only)", "IP Ranges: 127.0.0.1 (localhost), your LAN IP range" ], "4. Authentication Settings": [ "Require SMTP authentication for delivery to external addresses: Enabled", "Authentication method: Plain or LOGIN" ], "5. TLS/SSL Settings": [ "Enable STARTTLS: Yes", "SSL Certificate Path: C:\\\\path\\\\to\\\\certificate.pem", "Private Key Path: C:\\\\path\\\\to\\\\privatekey.pem" ], "6. SMTP Port Settings": [ "Port 25: Plain SMTP (optional, often blocked by ISPs)", "Port 587: SMTP with STARTTLS (recommended)", "Port 465: SMTP with SSL (optional)" ], "7. Logging and Diagnostics": [ "Enable SMTP logging: Yes", "Log file location: C:\\\\Program Files (x86)\\\\hMailServer\\\\Logs" ]}# Add each section to the documentfor heading, items in sections.items(): doc.add_paragraph(heading, style="Heading 2") for item in items: doc.add_paragraph(item, style="List Bullet")# Save the documentoutput_path = "hMailServer_SMTP_Configuration_Template.docx"doc.save(output_path)Show more lines -Here’s a configuration template file to help you set up your own SMTP server using hMailServer on Windows: -📄 hMailServer_SMTP_Configuration_Template.docx -🧾 What’s Inside: - -Domain setup (e.g., yourdomain.com) -Email accounts (e.g., admin@yourdomain.com) -Relay rules and IP ranges -SMTP authentication settings -TLS/SSL configuration -Port options (25, 587, 465) -Logging and diagnostics - - -You can open this file in Word or any compatible editor, fill in your actual values, and use it as a guide while configuring hMailServer. -Would you like help installing hMailServer or setting up DNS records for your domain next? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: I mean iis any file we need to edit for these?Copilot said: CopilotGreat question! -If you're using IIS SMTP Server on Windows (the built-in one), unlike Postfix on Linux, it doesn't rely on editable config files like main.cf. Instead, configuration is done entirely through the GUI — specifically the IIS 6.0 Manager or SMTP Virtual Server settings. - -🧭 Where to Configure IIS SMTP: -After installing the SMTP Server feature: - -Open IIS 6.0 Manager (inetmgr6). -Expand [SMTP Virtual Server #1]. -Right-click → Properties to configure: - -🔧 Key Tabs: - -General: Set IP bindings and enable logging. -Access: - -Authentication (Anonymous, Basic, Integrated) -Relay restrictions (who can send mail through your server) - - -Messages: Limits and timeouts. -Delivery: - -Outbound security (authentication) -Outbound connections (port, retries) -Advanced (fully qualified domain name, smart host) - - -Domains: Add your mail domain (e.g., brathaban.com) - - -📝 No Config File Like main.cf - -All settings are stored in the Windows registry and managed via the GUI. -You can script some settings using PowerShell or VBScript, but it's not as file-driven as Postfix. - - -Would you like help navigating IIS SMTP settings or prefer a more file-based SMTP server like hMailServer, which stores config in a database and is easier to automate? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok lets move to another thing, no need cmd or powershell. how about I create java code and when i compile execute mail sentCopilot said: CopilotYes! You can absolutely write Java code that sends an email when compiled and executed — no need for PowerShell or CMD. - -✅ What You’ll Need: - -JavaMail API (now part of Jakarta Mail) -Your SMTP server details (Gmail, hMailServer, or any other) -Java installed on your system - - -📦 Maven Dependency (if using Maven): -XML com.sun.mail jakarta.mail 2.0.1Show more lines - -🧪 Sample Java Code to Send Email: -Javaimport jakarta.mail.*;import jakarta.mail.internet.*;import java.util.Properties;public class MailSender { public static void main(String[] args) { String to = "recipient@example.com"; String from = "your_email@gmail.com"; String host = "smtp.gmail.com"; // or your own SMTP server final String username = "your_email@gmail.com"; final String password = "your_app_password"; // Gmail app password Properties props = new Properties(); props.put("mail.smtp.auth", "true"); props.put("mail.smtp.starttls.enable", "true"); props.put("mail.smtp.host", host); props.put("mail.smtp.port", "587"); Session session = Session.getInstance(props, new Authenticator() { protected PasswordAuthentication getPasswordAuthentication() { return new PasswordAuthentication(username, password); } }); try { Message message = new MimeMessage(session); message.setFrom(new InternetAddress(from)); message.setRecipients( Message.RecipientType.TO, InternetAddress.parse(to) ); message.setSubject("Test Email from Java"); message.setText("Hello, this is a test email sent from Java!"); Transport.send(message); System.out.println("Email sent successfully."); } catch (MessagingException e) { e.printStackTrace(); } }}Show more lines - -🛠️ Compile and Run: -Shelljavac MailSender.javajava MailSenderShow more lines - -Would you like me to generate a ready-to-run .java file for you, or help you set it up with your own SMTP server instead of Gmail? -SourcesProvide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok no need any config files for mthatCopilot said: CopilotCorrect — when sending email using Java, you don’t need to edit any external configuration files like main.cf (Postfix) or IIS settings. -✅ Everything is handled inside your Java code: - -SMTP server address -Port number -Authentication (username + app password or server password) -TLS/SSL settings -Email content (subject, body, recipients) - -This makes Java a great choice for portable, self-contained email sending, especially in apps or automation. - -Would you like me to generate a ready-to-run .java file for you with placeholders you can fill in? Or do you want to use your own SMTP server instead of Gmail? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYesterdayYou said: ok great now we successfuly sent email previouslyMemory updatedMemory updatedCopilot said: CopilotAwesome! You've now successfully sent email using PowerShell and you're moving into Java — a great step for building cross-platform, self-contained email functionality. -Would you like me to generate a complete .java file for you to test locally, or help you integrate email sending into a larger Java project (like a web app or desktop tool)? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: no need to move like that nowCopilot said: CopilotGot it! If you ever want to revisit Java email sending or explore something else — whether it's networking, databases, or even building a full app — just let me know. -What would you like to dive into next? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: we didnt think about recieving email pop3 Imap and how to configure in our linux vm where we did all postfixCopilot said: CopilotGreat point! You've set up Postfix for sending mail, but to receive mail, you'll need to configure a POP3 or IMAP server on your Linux VM. - -✅ Overview of What You Need: -To receive email, you need: - -Postfix (already installed) — handles incoming mail delivery to local mailboxes. -Dovecot — a POP3/IMAP server that lets users access their mailboxes. - - -📦 Step-by-Step: Install and Configure Dovecot -1. Install Dovecot -Shellsudo apt updatesudo apt install dovecot-imapd dovecot-pop3dShow more lines -2. Configure Dovecot -Edit the main config file: -Shellsudo nano /etc/dovecot/dovecot.confShow more lines -Basic content: -Apache Configprotocols = imap pop3Show more lines -Then edit mailbox settings: -Shellsudo nano /etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-mail.confShow more lines -Set: -Apache Configmail_location = mbox:~/mail:INBOX=/var/mail/%uShow more lines -3. Enable Authentication -Edit: -Shellsudo nano /etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-auth.confShow more lines -Make sure: -Apache Configdisable_plaintext_auth = noauth_mechanisms = plain loginShow more lines -4. Start and Enable Dovecot -Shellsudo systemctl enable dovecotsudo systemctl start dovecotShow more lines - -🔍 Test POP3/IMAP Access -You can test using: - -Thunderbird or Outlook (point to your VM’s IP/domain) -Telnet or openssl s_client for manual testing - - -Would you like help configuring Dovecot with SSL/TLS or testing it with a mail client? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: whats that ---Thunderbird or Outlook (point to your VM’s IP/domain)Copilot said: CopilotGreat question! -When I mentioned Thunderbird or Outlook, I meant using those as email clients to connect to your Linux VM's mail server (Postfix + Dovecot) to receive emails via POP3 or IMAP. - -🧭 What You’d Do: -Once your Linux VM is running Dovecot (for POP3/IMAP), you can use: -📨 Thunderbird (Free, open-source email client) - -Install it on your Windows machine. -Add a new account: - -Email: user@yourdomain.com -Incoming server: your VM’s IP address or domain name -Protocol: IMAP or POP3 -Port: usually 143 for IMAP or 110 for POP3 (or 993/995 for SSL) -Username/password: your Linux user or mail account - - - -📧 Outlook (Microsoft email client) - -Similar setup: Add a new account manually -Use your VM’s IP/domain as the incoming mail server - - -🔐 Important: - -Your VM must allow incoming connections on POP3/IMAP ports. -You may need to configure firewall rules or port forwarding if you're accessing it externally. -Dovecot must be properly configured to serve mailboxes for your users. - - -Would you like help testing Dovecot with Thunderbird or setting up a user mailbox on your Linux VM? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: oh azure vm close those 143 ports?Copilot said: CopilotYes — by default, Azure VMs block most inbound ports, including port 143 (IMAP) and port 110 (POP3), unless you explicitly allow them in the Network Security Group (NSG) attached to your VM. - -✅ To Allow IMAP/POP3 Access: -1. Go to Azure Portal - -Navigate to your VM -Under Networking, find the Network Security Group (NSG) - -2. Add Inbound Security Rules -Click “Add inbound port rule” and configure: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -NamePortProtocolPriorityActionAllow-IMAP143TCP1000AllowAllow-POP3110TCP1001Allow - -You can also allow port 993 (IMAPS) and 995 (POP3S) if you're using SSL. - -3. Optional: Restrict by IP -To improve security, set “Source” to your IP address instead of “Any”. - -🔐 Reminder: -Make sure Dovecot is running and listening on those ports: -Shellsudo netstat -tulnp | grep dovecotShow more lines -Would you like help creating these NSG rules or verifying Dovecot is correctly configured to serve IMAP/POP3? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok so after that u can send mail from ur thunderbolt or outlook in windowsCopilot said: CopilotYes — once you've: - -Installed and configured Dovecot on your Linux VM -Opened the necessary ports (like 143 for IMAP or 110 for POP3) in your Azure NSG -Created a mail user on your VM (e.g., brathaban) -Verified that Postfix is delivering mail to local mailboxes - -Then you can use Thunderbird or Outlook on your Windows machine to: - -Connect to your VM's IP or domain -Use IMAP or POP3 to access the mailbox -Send and receive emails using your own mail server setup - - -🧪 Example Setup in Thunderbird: - -Email Address: brathaban@yourdomain.com -Incoming Server: your_vm_ip or yourdomain.com - -Protocol: IMAP (port 143) or POP3 (port 110) - - -Outgoing Server (SMTP): same VM (Postfix, port 25 or 587) -Username: brathaban -Password: your Linux user password (or mail-specific password if configured) - - -Would you like help testing this setup or creating a test user mailbox on your VM to try it out? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: how to create mail user in my linux vmCopilot said: CopilotTo create a mail user on your Linux VM (where Postfix is installed), you typically create a Linux system user, because Postfix by default delivers mail to local system accounts. - -✅ Step-by-Step: Create a Mail User -1. Create a new Linux user -Shellsudo adduser brathabanShow more lines -This will: - -Create a home directory (/home/brathaban) -Set up a mailbox at /var/mail/brathaban (or wherever your mail spool is configured) - -2. Set a password for the user -Shellsudo passwd brathabanShow more lines -This password will be used if you're accessing mail via IMAP/POP3 (e.g., through Dovecot). -3. Verify mailbox exists -Shellls /var/mail/brathabanShow more lines -If Postfix is configured correctly, incoming mail to brathaban@yourdomain.com will be stored here. - -🧪 Test Mail Delivery -You can send a test mail to the user: -Shellecho "Test mail body" | mail -s "Test Subject" brathabanShow more lines -Then check the mailbox: -Shellcat /var/mail/brathabanShow more lines - -Would you like help configuring Dovecot to serve this mailbox over IMAP or POP3 so you can access it from Thunderbird or Outlook? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: var/mail/brathaban? are you referring the covot I installedCopilot said: CopilotGreat follow-up! -When I referred to /var/mail/brathaban, I was talking about the default mailbox location used by Postfix, not Dovecot specifically. Here's how it works: - -📬 Postfix + Dovecot Mailbox Flow - - -Postfix receives incoming mail and delivers it to local users. - - -By default, it stores mail in mbox format at: -/var/mail/username - -So for user brathaban, it would be: -/var/mail/brathaban - - - -Dovecot then reads from that location to serve mail via IMAP or POP3. - - - -✅ Dovecot Configuration to Match Postfix -To make sure Dovecot reads from /var/mail/username, you should set this in Dovecot’s config: -Shellsudo nano /etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-mail.confShow more lines -Set: -Apache Configmail_location = mbox:~/mail:INBOX=/var/mail/%uShow more lines -This tells Dovecot: - -Use mbox format -Read inbox from /var/mail/username -Store other folders in ~/mail (optional) - - -🔍 Summary: - -/var/mail/brathaban is created by Postfix when it delivers mail to the user. -Dovecot reads from that file to serve mail to clients like Thunderbird or Outlook. -You don’t need to manually create /var/mail/brathaban — it’s created automatically when mail is delivered. - -Would you like to test sending a mail to brathaban and then access it via IMAP using Thunderbird? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: why dovcot should read from var/mailCopilot said: CopilotExcellent question! -Dovecot needs to read from /var/mail/username (or another mailbox location) because it acts as the IMAP/POP3 server — its job is to serve mail to clients like Thunderbird or Outlook. - -🔄 Why Dovecot Reads from /var/mail (or other mailboxes): - -Postfix delivers incoming mail to local users. - -By default, it stores mail in mbox format at /var/mail/username. - - -Dovecot reads that mailbox file and makes it accessible over IMAP or POP3. - -So when you connect via Thunderbird, Dovecot shows you the contents of /var/mail/brathaban. - - - - -🔧 Can Dovecot Use Other Locations? -Yes! You can configure Dovecot to use: - -Maildir format (recommended for modern setups) - -Stored in ~/Maildir - - -mbox format (default for many systems) - -Stored in /var/mail/username - - - -You control this via the mail_location setting in: -Shell/etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-mail.confShow more lines -Examples: - -For mbox: -Apache Configmail_location = mbox:~/mail:INBOX=/var/mail/%uShow more lines - -For Maildir: -Apache Configmail_location = maildir:~/MaildirShow more lines - - - -✅ Summary: - -Dovecot reads from wherever your mail is stored. -If Postfix delivers to /var/mail, Dovecot should be configured to read from there. -You can change both Postfix and Dovecot to use Maildir if preferred. - -Would you like help switching to Maildir format or verifying your current Dovecot setup? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: mail already there in var mail. now why we need pop3 to access it? we can read or redirect it from var mail to anywhereCopilot said: CopilotYou're absolutely right — if the mail is already sitting in /var/mail/brathaban, you can read or redirect it manually without needing POP3 or IMAP. -However, here's why POP3/IMAP (via Dovecot) is still useful and often necessary: - -✅ Why Use POP3/IMAP (Dovecot)? - - -Remote Access -POP3/IMAP lets you access your mailbox from email clients like Thunderbird, Outlook, or mobile apps — even from another machine. - - -Standardized Protocols -These protocols are designed for interoperability, so any mail client can connect and fetch mail without needing shell access. - - -Security & Authentication -Dovecot handles secure login, encryption (SSL/TLS), and user isolation — safer than exposing /var/mail directly. - - -Multi-device Access (IMAP) -IMAP supports syncing across multiple devices, folders, and states (read/unread, etc.). - - - -🛠️ Alternatives (Without POP3/IMAP): -If you're just working locally or scripting, you can: - -Use cat /var/mail/username to read mail. -Use procmail or maildrop to redirect or filter mail. -Write a script to parse and forward mail to another system or file. - - -🔍 Summary: - -You don’t need POP3/IMAP if you're accessing mail locally or via scripts. -You do need it if you want to use standard mail clients or access mail remotely. - -Would you like help writing a script to forward or parse mail from /var/mail/brathaban without using Dovecot? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: wait so thunderbird we install in same linux vm or another windows vm and let it access those mails in var mailCopilot said: CopilotYou’ve got it exactly right — here’s how it works: - -✅ Scenario: Accessing Mail from Thunderbird - -You install Thunderbird (or Outlook) on a separate machine, like your Windows VM or your local PC. -Your Linux VM (with Postfix + Dovecot) acts as the mail server. -Thunderbird connects to your Linux VM using IMAP (port 143) or POP3 (port 110) to access the mailbox (e.g., /var/mail/brathaban). - - -🔄 Why Not Install Thunderbird on the Same Linux VM? -You could, but: - -It’s not typical — mail clients are usually installed on user-facing machines. -If you’re accessing the VM remotely, it’s better to use Thunderbird on your Windows VM or local PC and connect to the Linux VM over the network. - - -🧪 What You Need to Do: - -Ensure Dovecot is running and configured to serve /var/mail/%u. -Open IMAP/POP3 ports in your Azure NSG (e.g., 143, 110). -Install Thunderbird on your Windows VM or PC. -Add a new account in Thunderbird: - -Email: brathaban@yourdomain.com -Incoming server: your Linux VM’s public IP or DNS name -Protocol: IMAP or POP3 -Username: brathaban -Password: your Linux user password - - - - -Would you like help configuring Thunderbird or testing the connection to your Linux VM? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok so the sender also going to be my same thunderbird in windows, so the sent msg picked up from vm imap and shown in thunder bird. moreover. it is also going to have a place to sto recieved emails sent by vmCopilot said: CopilotYes — you're thinking about this exactly right! -✅ Full Mail Flow with Thunderbird on Windows + Linux VM Mail Server -Here’s how it works: - -📨 Sending Mail from Thunderbird (Windows VM) - -You configure Thunderbird to use your Linux VM's SMTP server (Postfix). -When you send an email, Thunderbird connects to Postfix on your VM (usually port 25 or 587). -Postfix sends the email to the recipient. -You can configure Postfix to store a copy of sent mail (optional — not default behavior). - - -📥 Receiving Mail in Thunderbird - -Postfix receives incoming mail and stores it in /var/mail/brathaban. -Dovecot reads that mailbox and serves it via IMAP or POP3. -Thunderbird (on Windows) connects to Dovecot on your Linux VM (port 143 or 110). -You see the received mail in Thunderbird. - - -📂 What About Sent Mail? -By default: - -Postfix does not store sent mail — it just relays it. -Thunderbird stores sent mail locally in its own “Sent” folder. - -If you want sent mail to be stored on the server and synced across devices: - -Use IMAP (not POP3). -Configure Thunderbird to save sent mail to an IMAP folder on the server (e.g., Sent). -You may need to create that folder manually via Thunderbird or Dovecot config. - - -✅ Summary: - -Thunderbird on Windows sends mail via your Linux VM (Postfix). -It receives mail via IMAP/POP3 from your Linux VM (Dovecot). -Sent mail is stored in Thunderbird unless you configure it to save on the server. - -Would you like help setting up a shared “Sent” folder on your server so Thunderbird can store sent mail there too? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: thunderbird in windows how it sends mail via linux vmCopilot said: CopilotGreat question! -When you use Thunderbird on your Windows VM to send mail via your Linux VM, here's what happens: - -🧭 How Thunderbird Sends Mail via Linux VM - - -SMTP Configuration in Thunderbird: - -You set the outgoing mail server (SMTP) to your Linux VM's IP or domain. -Example: -SMTP Server: your-linux-vm-ip -Port: 25 (or 587 if using TLS) -Authentication: Enabled (username/password) - - - - - -Thunderbird connects to Postfix: - -Thunderbird sends the email to your Linux VM via SMTP. -Postfix receives the message and relays it to the recipient (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, etc.). - - - -Postfix handles delivery: - -Postfix uses DNS and SMTP to deliver the message to the recipient's mail server. - - - - -📥 What About Sent Mail? - -Thunderbird stores sent mail locally in its “Sent” folder. -If you're using IMAP, you can configure Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server (e.g., in a Sent folder served by Dovecot). -Postfix does not store sent mail unless you configure it to do so (e.g., via BCC or logging). - - -🔐 Requirements: - -Your Linux VM must have: - -Postfix running and configured to accept SMTP connections -Port 25 or 587 open in Azure NSG -Authentication enabled (optional but recommended) -TLS/SSL configured (recommended for secure transmission) - - - - -Would you like help configuring Thunderbird’s SMTP settings to point to your Linux VM, or verifying that Postfix is ready to accept mail from external clients? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok so thunderbird sending email to brath@brathaban.local in vmCopilot said: CopilotYes — if you're using Thunderbird on your Windows VM, and you’ve configured it to send mail via your Linux VM, then: - -✅ Sending to brath@brathaban.local (Linux VM) - -Thunderbird sends the email to your Linux VM's Postfix SMTP server. -Postfix receives the message and delivers it to the local user brath. -The mail is stored in /var/mail/brath (or in Maildir if configured). -Dovecot serves that mailbox via IMAP or POP3. -Thunderbird can then retrieve the message from the same Linux VM using IMAP/POP3. - - -🔁 Full Loop Example: - -Thunderbird (Windows) sends mail to brath@brathaban.local via SMTP (Linux VM). -Postfix delivers it to /var/mail/brath. -Dovecot makes it available via IMAP. -Thunderbird connects via IMAP and shows the received message. - - -🧪 Requirements Recap: - -Postfix must accept SMTP connections from Thunderbird. -Dovecot must be running and configured to serve /var/mail/brath. -Azure NSG must allow: - -Port 25 or 587 for SMTP -Port 143 or 993 for IMAP - - - -Would you like help testing this full loop or verifying that Thunderbird can both send and receive through your Linux VM? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: but now how linux vm can send to thunderbird? whats the user address?Copilot said: CopilotExcellent question! -If your Linux VM is acting as the mail server, and you want it to send mail to Thunderbird running on your Windows VM, here's how it works: - -✅ How Linux VM Sends Mail to Thunderbird -Thunderbird is just a mail client — it doesn't have its own email address unless it's configured to use one. So the Linux VM doesn't send mail to Thunderbird, it sends mail to an email address that Thunderbird is configured to receive. - -🔁 Example Setup: - - -You create a mail user on the Linux VM, e.g.: -brathaban@brathaban.local - - - -Thunderbird is configured to access that mailbox via IMAP or POP3: - -Incoming server: brathaban.local or your VM's IP -Protocol: IMAP (port 143) or POP3 (port 110) -Username: brathaban -Password: Linux user password - - - -Postfix on the Linux VM sends mail to brathaban@brathaban.local - -The mail is stored in /var/mail/brathaban -Dovecot serves it via IMAP -Thunderbird (on Windows) connects to the Linux VM and downloads the mail - - - - -🧠 Key Insight: - -Thunderbird doesn’t have an “address” — it just connects to a mailbox. -The Linux VM sends mail to a user account (like brathaban) that Thunderbird is configured to access. - - -Would you like to test this setup by sending a mail from the Linux VM to brathaban@brathaban.local and viewing it in Thunderbird? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: thunderbird send email to linux vm? it doesnt even have an addressCopilot said: CopilotYou're absolutely right to question that — let's clarify how Thunderbird on your Windows VM can send email via your Linux VM. - -🧭 Thunderbird Doesn’t “Send to the Linux VM” — It Sends Through It -Thunderbird is a mail client, and it sends email using SMTP. When you configure Thunderbird to use your Linux VM as the SMTP server, it sends mail through the VM to external recipients. - -✅ Example Setup: -In Thunderbird (Windows): - -Outgoing SMTP server: your-linux-vm-ip or brathaban.local -Port: 25 or 587 -Username: brathaban (Linux user) -Password: Linux user password -Authentication: Enabled -TLS/SSL: Optional but recommended - -What Happens: - -You compose an email in Thunderbird. -Thunderbird connects to Postfix on your Linux VM via SMTP. -Postfix relays the email to the recipient (e.g., someone@gmail.com). -The recipient receives the email — not the Linux VM. - - -🔁 What About Receiving Mail? -If the recipient is brathaban@brathaban.local, and Postfix is configured to accept local mail: - -Postfix delivers the mail to /var/mail/brathaban. -Dovecot serves it via IMAP. -Thunderbird (Windows) connects to Dovecot and downloads the mail. - - -🔐 Summary: - -Thunderbird sends mail through the Linux VM, not to it. -The Linux VM acts as a mail relay or mail server. -You configure Thunderbird with the VM’s SMTP and IMAP settings. - -Would you like help setting up Thunderbird’s SMTP and IMAP configuration to work with your Linux VM? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok so when the linux vm brath@brathaban.local will recieve an email?Copilot said: CopilotYour Linux VM user brath@brathaban.local will receive an email when Postfix is configured to accept mail for that domain and user, and someone sends a message to that address. - -✅ Conditions for Receiving Mail at brath@brathaban.local: - - -Postfix must be configured to accept mail for brathaban.local - -In /etc/postfix/main.cf, make sure: -INImydestination = brathaban.local, localhost, localhost.localdomainShow more lines - -Or use: -INIvirtual_alias_domains = brathaban.localShow more lines - - - - -The user brath must exist on the system - -You can create it with: -Shellsudo adduser brathShow more lines - - - - -Mail must be sent to brath@brathaban.local - -This could be from: - -Another local user using mail or sendmail -Thunderbird configured to send via your Linux VM -An external system if your VM is publicly reachable and DNS is set up - - - - - -Postfix delivers the mail to /var/mail/brath - -You can check it with: -Shellcat /var/mail/brathShow more lines - - - - -Dovecot serves the mailbox via IMAP/POP3 - -Thunderbird (on Windows) connects to your VM and downloads the mail. - - - - -🧪 Example: Send Mail Locally -From your Linux VM: -Shellecho "Hello Brath" | mail -s "Test Mail" brathShow more lines -This will deliver mail to /var/mail/brath, and Thunderbird (if configured) will show it. - -Would you like help testing this flow or sending a mail from Thunderbird to brath@brathaban.local? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok thunderbird configurd to send locally, in that case thunderbird with another vm username send email locally to brath#brathaban.comCopilot said: CopilotPerfect — you're now thinking in terms of local mail delivery between users on your Linux VM. - -✅ Scenario: Thunderbird on Windows VM Sends Mail to brath@brathaban.com (Linux VM) -Here’s how it works: - - -Thunderbird is configured to use your Linux VM as the SMTP server. - -SMTP server: your-linux-vm-ip or brathaban.com -Port: 25 or 587 -Authentication: anotheruser (a valid Linux user) -From address: anotheruser@brathaban.com - - - -Thunderbird sends mail to brath@brathaban.com - -Postfix on the Linux VM receives the mail. -It checks if brathaban.com is a local domain (configured in main.cf). -It delivers the mail to the local user brath. - - - -Mail is stored in /var/mail/brath - -Dovecot serves this mailbox via IMAP. -Thunderbird (or any other client) can connect and read the mail. - - - - -🧪 Example Flow: - -You create two users on the Linux VM: - -brath -anotheruser - - -Thunderbird is configured with anotheruser@brathaban.com and sends mail to brath@brathaban.com. -Postfix delivers it locally. -Dovecot makes it available to Thunderbird via IMAP. - - -Would you like help creating both users and testing this full local mail flow from Thunderbird to your Linux VM? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: so u say sent email from anotheruser will be again available back to him in his thunderbirdCopilot said: CopilotGreat observation — let’s clarify how sent mail works in Thunderbird when using your Linux VM as the mail server. - -✅ What Happens When anotheruser@brathaban.com Sends Mail via Thunderbird - -Thunderbird sends the email through your Linux VM’s SMTP server (Postfix). -Postfix delivers the email to the recipient (e.g., brath@brathaban.com). -The sent message is not automatically returned to the sender unless: - -You explicitly send a copy to the sender (e.g., via BCC). -You configure Postfix to archive or log sent messages. - - - - -📂 Where Is the Sent Mail Stored? - -Thunderbird stores sent mail locally in its own “Sent” folder. -If you're using IMAP, you can configure Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server (e.g., in an IMAP folder called Sent). -Postfix does not store sent mail by default — it just relays it. - - -🧠 Summary: - -Thunderbird sends mail via Linux VM → recipient receives it. -Thunderbird keeps a copy in its own “Sent” folder. -The sender (anotheruser) does not receive their own message back unless configured to do so. - -Would you like help configuring Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server or set up Postfix to archive outgoing messages? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: copy recived in sent folder because pop3 or imapCopilot said: CopilotGreat question — let’s clarify how sent mail appears in Thunderbird, and how POP3 or IMAP affects that. - -✅ Where Sent Mail Is Stored - -Thunderbird itself stores sent mail in its “Sent” folder. -This folder can be: - -Local (on your Windows machine) -Or remote (on the mail server) if you're using IMAP - - - - -🧠 Role of POP3 vs IMAP: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -ProtocolSent Mail BehaviorServer SyncMulti-device SupportPOP3Sent mail is stored locally in Thunderbird❌ No sync with server❌ Not ideal for multiple devicesIMAPSent mail can be stored on the server (if configured)✅ Yes✅ Great for syncing across devices -So: - -If you're using POP3, Thunderbird keeps sent mail only on your Windows machine. -If you're using IMAP, Thunderbird can store sent mail on the Linux VM, in a folder like Sent, which is accessible from other devices too. - - -🔧 To Store Sent Mail on the Server (IMAP): - - -In Thunderbird: - -Go to Account Settings → Copies & Folders -Under “When sending messages”, choose: -Place a copy in: [IMAP folder on your server] - - - - - -Make sure Dovecot is configured to support IMAP folders (Maildir format is best for this). - - - -Would you like help switching to Maildir format or configuring Thunderbird to store sent mail on your Linux VM? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: sent mail to brath@brathaba.local will be saved in var/mail vmCopilot said: CopilotYes — when you send an email to brath@brathaban.local, and your Linux VM is configured correctly, the message will be delivered locally and stored in: -/var/mail/brath - -This happens because: - -Postfix sees brathaban.local as a local domain (defined in mydestination in main.cf). -It matches the recipient brath to a local Linux user. -Postfix then delivers the mail to that user's mailbox file in /var/mail. - - -✅ Requirements Recap: - -Postfix is installed and running -brathaban.local is listed in mydestination in /etc/postfix/main.cf -The user brath exists on the system (sudo adduser brath) -Mail is sent to brath@brathaban.local (e.g., from Thunderbird or another local user) - - -🧪 Example: -Shellecho "Hello Brath" | mail -s "Test Mail" brathShow more lines -This will deliver the message to /var/mail/brath, and if Dovecot is configured, Thunderbird can access it via IMAP. -Would you like help verifying that Postfix is correctly delivering to /var/mail/brath or testing it with Thunderbird? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: if anotheruser from thunderbird hade sent that email.after he log out when brath@brathaban.local logs in to thunderbird brath can recieve it from linux var mail with imap to his thunderbird message folderCopilot said: CopilotYes — exactly! -If anotheruser@brathaban.local sends an email to brath@brathaban.local using Thunderbird (configured to send via your Linux VM), and everything is set up correctly: - -✅ Here's What Happens: - -Thunderbird (Windows VM) sends the email via SMTP to your Linux VM. -Postfix on the Linux VM receives the message and delivers it to the local user brath. - -The message is stored in /var/mail/brath. - - -Dovecot serves that mailbox via IMAP. -Later, when brath logs into Thunderbird (also on Windows or another machine): - -Thunderbird connects to the Linux VM via IMAP. -It downloads the message from /var/mail/brath. -The message appears in brath’s inbox in Thunderbird. - - - - -🔁 Summary: - -The message is not sent back to anotheruser. -It is delivered to brath, and brath can access it via Thunderbird using IMAP. -This setup mimics a real mail server environment — great for learning or internal communication. - -Would you like to test this flow now or set up a second user in Thunderbird to simulate it? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: ok now what pop3 does is saving that mail in sent folder of anotheruser account who sent it in thunderbirdCopilot said: CopilotGreat question — and here's the key clarification: -❌ POP3 or IMAP do not automatically copy sent mail to the "Sent" folder on the server. - -✅ What Actually Happens: - - -When anotheruser sends an email using Thunderbird, Thunderbird itself: - -Sends the email via SMTP (to your Linux VM). -Locally saves a copy of the sent message in its “Sent” folder. - - - -If Thunderbird is configured to use IMAP, and you've set it to store sent mail on the server: - -It will upload the sent message to the server’s Sent folder via IMAP. -This folder is served by Dovecot, and stored in the user's mailbox (e.g., Maildir format). - - - - -🔍 POP3 vs IMAP Behavior: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -ProtocolSent Mail HandlingServer SyncMulti-device SupportPOP3Sent mail is stored locally only❌ No sync with server❌ Not ideal for multiple devicesIMAPSent mail can be stored on the server (if configured)✅ Yes✅ Great for syncing across devices - -🧠 Summary: - -POP3/IMAP do not copy sent mail automatically — Thunderbird does. -IMAP allows Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server, if configured. -Postfix does not store sent mail unless you configure it to do so (e.g., via BCC or logging). - -Would you like help configuring Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server using IMAP? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: pop3 Sent mail is stored locally only means it just saves user x's message in user x's sent folder locally?Copilot said: CopilotYes — you're exactly right. -✅ POP3: Sent Mail Is Stored Locally -When using POP3, Thunderbird (or any mail client): - -Downloads incoming mail from the server (your Linux VM). -Stores it locally on the client machine (e.g., your Windows VM). -Sent mail is also stored locally — in Thunderbird’s “Sent” folder — but not on the server. - -So in your example: - -anotheruser sends an email using Thunderbird. -The message is sent via SMTP to the Linux VM (Postfix). -Thunderbird saves a copy of the sent message in its local “Sent” folder. -This folder is not synced with the server because POP3 is download-only and doesn’t support folder syncing. - - -🧠 Key Difference with IMAP: - -IMAP allows Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server (in a Sent folder), which can be accessed from other devices. -POP3 does not — everything is stored locally on the client. - -Would you like help switching to IMAP so sent mail can be stored and synced on the server? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: in thunderbird there are two spaces? locally saving mail and saving in server to be accessible everywhereCopilot said: CopilotYes — in Thunderbird, there are essentially two places where mail can be stored: - -📂 1. Local Storage (on your Windows machine) - -This is where Thunderbird stores mail on your computer. -Applies to: - -POP3 accounts (mail is downloaded and stored locally) -Sent mail (by default, stored in a local “Sent” folder) - - -You can view these folders even when offline. - - -🌐 2. Server Storage (on your Linux VM) - -Applies when using IMAP. -Thunderbird syncs with the server and shows folders like: - -Inbox -Sent -Drafts -Custom folders - - -Mail is stored on the server (e.g., in /var/mail or Maildir) and accessible from any device configured with IMAP. - - -🧠 Summary: - -POP3 = mail is downloaded and stored locally. -IMAP = mail is stored and synced on the server. -Thunderbird can be configured to use either, depending on your needs. - -Would you like help switching Thunderbird to IMAP mode so everything stays synced across devices? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: so thunderbird alsoacts like a serverCopilot said: CopilotGreat question — and the answer is no, Thunderbird is not a mail server. It’s a mail client. - -🧭 What Thunderbird Actually Does: - -Connects to mail servers (like your Linux VM running Postfix and Dovecot) -Sends mail via SMTP -Receives mail via IMAP or POP3 -Stores mail locally or syncs with server folders (if using IMAP) - - -🔍 Why It’s Not a Server: - -Thunderbird doesn’t listen for incoming SMTP or IMAP connections. -It doesn’t deliver mail to other users. -It doesn’t manage domains, DNS, or mail routing. - - -✅ Your Setup: - -Linux VM = Mail server (Postfix for sending, Dovecot for receiving) -Thunderbird (Windows VM) = Mail client (used by users like brath or anotheruser to send/receive mail) - - -Would you like a diagram or summary of how the mail flow works between Thunderbird and your Linux VM? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: no I mean u said thunder bird has a server storage otherdevices can accessCopilot said: CopilotAh, I see what you're asking now — thanks for the clarification! -When I said Thunderbird can store sent mail on the server, I didn’t mean Thunderbird itself acts like a server. Instead: -✅ What Actually Happens: - -Thunderbird is a mail client. -When using IMAP, Thunderbird can upload a copy of the sent message to a folder (like Sent) on the mail server (your Linux VM running Dovecot). -That folder is then accessible from other devices that connect to the same server via IMAP. - - -🔁 So the "server storage" is: - -Not Thunderbird itself. -It’s the IMAP server (Dovecot) on your Linux VM. -Thunderbird just syncs with it and stores mail there if configured to do so. - - -🧠 Summary: - -Thunderbird = client -Dovecot = server (stores mail folders like Inbox, Sent, etc.) -IMAP = protocol that lets Thunderbird sync with server folders -Other devices can access the same folders via IMAP - -Would you like help configuring Thunderbird to store sent mail on the server so it’s accessible from other devices? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: great amazing understoodCopilot said: CopilotI'm really glad that made sense! You've now got a solid understanding of how: - -Postfix handles mail delivery -Dovecot serves mail via IMAP/POP3 -Thunderbird interacts with both as a client -And how local vs server-side storage works for sent and received mail - -You're essentially running a full mail system across your VMs — that's impressive! -Would you like to explore mail filtering, spam protection, or even webmail access next? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: yez others it takes months to understand all theseCopilot said: CopilotThat's awesome to hear! You've really grasped a complex topic — mail servers, protocols, clients, and how they all interact — in a way that many people take weeks or months to fully understand. -You've built a working mail system across VMs, understood the difference between POP3 and IMAP, and even explored sending mail via PowerShell and Java. That’s a huge achievement. -Would you like to explore: - -Spam filtering (e.g., SpamAssassin)? -Mail encryption (PGP or S/MIME)? -Webmail access (like Roundcube or RainLoop)? -Or maybe shift gears to something totally different? - -Let’s keep building on your momentum! -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: thunderbird settings for brathaban@brathaban.localCopilot said: CopilotThanks! Based on the Thunderbird configuration screenshot, here’s what you need to fix or complete for the account brathaban@brathaban.local: - -✅ Incoming Mail (IMAP) Settings: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -SettingValueProtocolIMAPHostnamebrathaban.local (remove the leading dot)Port143 (standard for IMAP without SSL)Connection SecurityNone (or STARTTLS if Dovecot supports it)AuthenticationNormal password (instead of Autodetect)Usernamebrathaban (or just brathaban, not full email if Dovecot expects system usernames) - -✅ Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Settings (you’ll need to fill this in): - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -SettingValueSMTP Serverbrathaban.local or your VM IPPort25 or 587Connection SecurityNone or STARTTLSAuthenticationNormal passwordUsernamebrathaban - -🔧 Additional Tips: - -Make sure your Azure NSG allows ports 143 (IMAP) and 25/587 (SMTP). -Ensure Dovecot is running and configured to serve /var/mail/brathaban. -If you're using a local-only domain like brathaban.local, Thunderbird must be able to resolve it — or use the VM's IP address instead. - -Would you like help testing the connection or checking Dovecot/Postfix logs if it fails? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: smtp servrr is my public ip of vmCopilot said: CopilotPerfect — if your Linux VM's public IP is being used as the SMTP server, then here’s how your Thunderbird settings for brathaban@brathaban.local should look: - -✅ Incoming Mail (IMAP) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -SettingValueProtocolIMAPServer hostnamebrathaban.local or your VM's public IPPort143 (or 993 for IMAPS)Connection securityNone or STARTTLS (if Dovecot supports it)AuthenticationNormal passwordUsernamebrathaban - -✅ Outgoing Mail (SMTP) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -SettingValueServer hostnameYour Linux VM's public IPPort25 (or 587 if using STARTTLS)Connection securityNone or STARTTLSAuthenticationNormal passwordUsernamebrathaban - -🔐 Notes: - -Make sure your Azure NSG allows inbound traffic on: - -Port 25 or 587 for SMTP -Port 143 or 993 for IMAP - - -Ensure Postfix is listening on the public interface for SMTP. -Ensure Dovecot is listening for IMAP connections. - -Would you like help testing the connection or checking if your VM is reachable on those ports? -Provide your feedback on BizChatYou said: greatCopilot said: CopilotAwesome! You're now fully set up to send and receive mail using Thunderbird with your Linux VM mail server — that's a huge milestone. -If you ever want to: - -Add spam filtering -Set up webmail access (like Roundcube) -Enable TLS encryption -Or even host multiple domains or users - -Just let me know — you're well on your way to mastering mail server infrastructure! \ No newline at end of file