Author: Dean Brooks Date: To: Brian CC: exim-users Subject: Re: [Exim] need more newbie help..
On Sat, Apr 17, 2004 at 10:48:28AM -0400, Brian wrote:
> I'm so confused with all the exim options that their are, I have no
> idea what I have to do to accoplish what I'm looking for.
Exim is capable of doing everything that you mentioned.
Exim is somewhat confusing to new users because its
router/transport/ACL mechanism are each simple building blocks that
have to be organized to accomplish what you want. The default
configuration will deliver email, but it will have no knowledge
of your particular configuration.
Exim does not inherently know the difference between local domains,
remote domains, etc. The routers are simply placed in order to
determine what to do with a message, based upon its domain name and
other criteria. Transports are used to actually DO something with the
message, and are selected by a router that finally matches the
message. ACLs are used only during the live reception of a message,
either by SMTP or from command line, and control when to reject and
when to accept as the message is actually being received.
Ultimately, given the wide scope of things you want to do, my personal
opinion is to abandon the books (not all will agree with me, but
again, its my own opinion) and begin reading the docs/spec.txt file
that comes with the Exim distribution. It is incredibly well written,
well organized, and even gives a broad overview of how Exim works in
the early chapters. It's a long read, but you'll be forever lost
until you are familiar with most of its contents.
There are lots of examples of Exim configuration files in the public
domain, and the list members will gladly forward you answers for
specific questions you may have.
In closing, all I can say is that there *is* a reason that Exim is
so popular. Exim 4.xx is one of the best documented and most
configurable MTAs I've ever used, and extremely reliable. Because of
this, you rarely have to wait for new features to be added, simply
because you can create your own features by creating your own router
and transport combinations.
Once you've read spec.txt completely and begin to get a feel for
all the possible routers and transport options, drop some configuration
items you are having trouble with and we'll all be glad to help.
