how hard is it to run a e-mail server off a cable modem?

[JOHNGALT99]

I have a domain name and my comcast cable modem has had the same ip for 11 months now

what would I need to run my own e-mail server? I currently have a windows server 2003 box running as a file server.

Also is it really hard to setup a MS exchange server, we have one aT work and I love being able to acess outlook from home

thanks from dc

 

[JOHNGALT99]

?

 

[Paulson]

ms exchange is a pain in the arse to set up... or at least that's my opinion.

use something like imail or free programs on the net. anything that does web-based email and pop3 email should be fine.

 

[eklass]

you are aware that if your cable modem goes down, the email will never get dilivered. as cool as it sounds, people have a certain expectation that email is actually delivered when they send it. just something to think about

 

[robg1701]

Originally posted by: eklass
you are aware that if your cable modem goes down, the email will never get dilivered. as cool as it sounds, people have a certain expectation that email is actually delivered when they send it. just something to think about

Asuming the sending smtp server had absolutely none, or a very small retry...many will retry sending for days or at least hours if they are unable to contact any of the MX servers listed for a domains DNS properties. That gives some amount of backup for a mailserver being down. The true backup scenario is to have another mail server listed in the MX records to serve as a backup MX server which has lower priority than your own mailserver - in the event your connection goes down the sending smtp server will send mail to the backup, which will either take up the job of retrying the primary server periodically for a set time and send the mail to it when it is available, or simply store the mail for a set time and wait an ETRN command being sent form the primary server when it is restored in order to request the mail be delivered from the backup to the primary and thus the users.

 

[drag]

Cable modem makes you part of the internet. It's not any different then any other connections like DSL or a T1 in that way.

Running a e-mail server shouldn't be a big deal, other then you have to know how it works.

The only issue is that most user agreements forbid that sort of thing plus some ISP's block ports to stop people running servers, although it's usually port 80 (http).

Look into linux. Sendmail isn't the easiest thing to use, but their are plenty of other email servers like qmail that are smaller and simplier to use.

 

[Jeff7181]

You might also consider the fact that most cable ISP's don't allow a server of any kind to be hosted on the connection.

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
You might also consider the fact that most cable ISP's don't allow a server of any kind to be hosted on the connection.

Took the words right out of my mouth. You'd be able to get away with it for a bit, but sooner or later they'd shut you down. Or back off your bandwidth so hard you'd be on your knees.

 

[CigarSmokedByClinton]

I've been running an email server for 1.5 years on my SBC DSL account, no problems as of yet.

You can get around the dynamic Ip address by using services like www.dyndns.org

Cigar

 

[eLinux]

I know for a fact that my cable provider does *not* allow servers on their network unless you pay premium for a special business class connection.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: eLinux
I know for a fact that my cable provider does *not* allow servers on their network unless you pay premium for a special business class connection.

Even Comcast's Pro service doesn't allow you to host a server.

 

[jose]

1) you need a domain & static ip
2) you need someone to host your dns info. ie mx & reverse lookup info
3) you'll need to secure your server.
4) if you use exchange everyone will use your box to forward spam..

Regards,
Jose

 

[Paulson]

I run windows 2003 server off of a wireless isp connection... it's only 256kb up, but it does just fine.

I used to run pics.paulsonator.com off of my wireless connection.. I had to stop though because I was using up too much of my isp's bandwidth. I can still host stuff though, as long as it isn't a gig or 2 per day

 

[stephbu]

Most DSL-based ISPs Acceptable Usage Policies just demand that you don't hurt others - side-effect though is lousy down and up speeds - but i'd rather pay 40 a month for DSL at home and no hosting fees.

Cable guys - your bandwidth may rock but your provider's no-hosting AUP sucks!

 

[JOHNGALT99]

thanks for the help guys, I think ms exchange sounds like a pain, do you know if smoothwall or clarkconnect have an e-mail servering ability?

 

[Paulson]

Just find a free email server for windows... do a search in google.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

I would seriously recommend against running your own mail server unless you've done a LOT of homework. It is not something to be taken lightly.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: JOHNGALT99
thanks for the help guys, I think ms exchange sounds like a pain, do you know if smoothwall or clarkconnect have an e-mail servering ability?

ClarkConnect Info

I would seriously recommend against running your own mail server unless you've done a LOT of homework. It is not something to be taken lightly.

Definately. E-mail seems 1000x more difficult then it seems. If you want to host your own server start with apache or something. Plus big ISP's like AOL or Earthlink will probably block your emails anyways.

 

[Paulson]

As long as you turn off relaying, it's not such a big deal...

part of the process of running an email server is LEARNING HOW TO.

It's hard to figure out, but once you get it working right, it's awesome!

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: eklass
you are aware that if your cable modem goes down, the email will never get dilivered. as cool as it sounds, people have a certain expectation that email is actually delivered when they send it. just something to think about

Yup, your cable modem doesn't have anywhere the level of reliability as does even a budget hosting service. Email service is very important for most of us; a dead email even for a short time can get you suspended on ebay for example.