The qmail Handbook

Chapter 3, "configuring qmail: the basics," covered the fundamentals of qmail configuration: the control files, relay control, aliases, virtual domains, and the qmail-users mechanism.

This chapter will explore more advanced configuration topics.

Overview

This chapter covers advanced qmail configuration:

• First, we'll show how to configure qmail for one of several typical configurations such as backup mail exchanger (MX), null client, or smart host.

• Next, we'll look at some of the issues involved with migrating an existing Sendmail-based mail system to qmail: .forward vs. .qmail, mailbox format and location, and aliases.

• We'll also learn about source-code modifications, also known as patches: how to install them and some of the more frequently used patches.

• Then, we'll look at two additional protocols that qmail supports: Quick Mail Transfer Protocol (QMTP) and Quick Mail Queueing Protocol (QMQP). You'll learn what they're used for and how to install and configure them.

• Next, we'll examine ways to secure Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which normally exposes the content of messages over the network.

• Finally, we'll discuss various techniques for improving your qmail system's performance.