1 http://qref.sourceforge.net/Debian/reference/reference.en.txt

2

3 9.6.1. Mail transport agents (MTAs)

4 -----------------------------------

5

6 For a full-featured MTA, use `exim' in Woody and use `exim4' in Sarge.

7 [1] References:

8 * `exim-doc' and `exim-doc-html' packages for `exim'

9 * `exim4-doc-info' and `exim4-doc-html' packages for `exim4'

10 * http://www.exim.org/

11 The only reasonable alternative MTA is `postfix' if you care about

12 security. `sendmail' and `qmail' are available as Debian packages but

13 are not recommended.

14

15 If you do not need the relay capability of an MTA as in the case of a

16 satellite system such as a laptop PC, you may consider using one of

17 these lightweight packages:

18 * `ssmtp': needs an SMTP connection and is alias-capable, or

19 * `nullmailer': can spool but is not alias-capable.

20 At this moment, I find `exim' to be more suitable even for my personal

21 workstation machine, which is a laptop PC.

22

23 You may need to remove `exim' for the installation of these

24 conflicting packages:

25

26 # dpkg -P --force-depends exim

27 # apt-get install nullmailer # or ssmtp

28

29 [1] Following sections use `exim' in examples. For Sarge replace this

30 with `exim4' as needed.

31

32 9.6.1.1. Smarthost

33 ------------------

34

35 If you are running `exim4' or `exim' on a host which is connected

36 through the consumer grade services, please make sure to send outgoing

37 mail through a smarthost offered by your ISP or some others. [1]

38 There are few good reasons:

39 * to ensure SMTP retries since your ISP's smarthost usually have

40 more reliably connection.

41 * to avoid sending mail directly from a _dynamic IP address_ which

42 will likely be blocked by dial-up spam lists.

43 * to save your local bandwidth to send mails with multiple

44 recipients.

45

46 The only conceivable exceptions are:

47 * the emergency cure for your ISP's SMTP service trouble.

48 * an experiment for the educational purpose.

49 * your host being a professionally hosted server.

50

51 [1] You must follow this rule for any hosts on dial-up, DSL, cable

52 services or LAN through some broadband router. Even if your home host

53 has a fixed IP from your ISP, it is still a good idea to follow this

54 rule. Most workstations and home servers fall into this category.

55