How to Create Your Own Mail Server? Step-by-Step Guide


You can create your own mail server by renting a VPS, setting a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), installing mail server software (Postfix or Exim for SMTP, Dovecot for IMAP/POP3), configuring DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC), securing the server with SSL/TLS, and carefully managing spam protection and IP reputation. While it requires technical setup and ongoing maintenance, running your own mail server gives you full control over emails, privacy, and sending limits.

Now let’s break this down properly—from beginner to advanced—so you can actually do it the right way.

How to Create Your Own Mail Server? Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Get a VPS and Domain Name

To create your own mail server, you’ll need:

VPS Requirements

  • Linux OS (Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 recommended)

  • Minimum 1 GB RAM (2 GB preferred)

  • Static IPv4 address

  • Root or sudo access

Domain Name

Register a domain like:

example.com

Your mail server hostname should be something like:

mail.example.com

Important: Avoid cheap or blacklisted VPS providers. Email delivery depends heavily on IP reputation. Nit and clean provider oudel.com

Step 2: Set Hostname and Reverse DNS (rDNS)

Set your server hostname:

hostnamectl set-hostname mail.example.com

Then configure Reverse DNS (PTR record) from your VPS provider’s control panel:

IP → mail.example.com

Without correct rDNS, your emails will likely land in spam.

Read More: How to Create Your Own Mail Server?

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