What is Mail-in-a-Box?
Mail-in-a-Box is a comprehensive open-source platform designed to simplify self-hosted email management. It enables users to establish their own mail service provider by converting a fresh Ubuntu 22.04 cloud computer into a working mail server with minimal technical expertise required. The system includes webmail via Roundcube, IMAP/SMTP server support for mobile and desktop devices, and integrated contacts and calendar synchronization through Nextcloud.
The platform automates critical email security and functionality aspects, such as spam protection with filtering and greylisting, automatic DNS configuration for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MTA-STS records, and TLS certificate provisioning from Let's Encrypt. It features a web-based control panel for managing mail accounts, aliases, DNS records, and backups, with support for TOTP-based two-factor authentication and a RESTful HTTP API. Mail-in-a-Box also supports hosting mail for multiple users and domains, along with basic static website hosting, while maintaining a focus on decentralization, privacy, and ease of deployment through well-documented shell scripts and Python management.
Features
- Webmail and IMAP/SMTP Server: Provides Roundcube webmail and server support for mobile and desktop email clients.
- Contacts and Calendar Synchronization: Integrates Nextcloud for managing contacts and calendars.
- Automated Security: Includes spam protection, automatic DNS configuration for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MTA-STS, and TLS certificate provisioning.
- Control Panel: Web-based interface for adding mail accounts, aliases, custom DNS records, and setting up backups.
- Multi-User and Multi-Domain Support: Hosts mail for multiple users and multiple domain names.
Use Cases
- Setting up a self-hosted email server for personal or small business use.
- Enhancing email privacy and control by decentralizing from large providers.
- Managing multiple email domains and users from a single server.
- Automating email security configurations like spam filtering and DNS records.
- Hosting static websites alongside email services on the same server.
FAQs
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What operating system is required to run Mail-in-a-Box?
Mail-in-a-Box requires a completely fresh Ubuntu 22.04 LTS 64-bit machine running in the cloud. -
Does Mail-in-a-Box support two-factor authentication?
Yes, the control panel supports TOTP-based two-factor authentication for login. -
Can I host multiple domain names with Mail-in-a-Box?
Yes, Mail-in-a-Box supports hosting mail for multiple users and multiple domain names. -
Is there an API available for Mail-in-a-Box?
Yes, control panel functionality can be accessed over a RESTful HTTP API, with documentation provided. -
What should I do if I encounter issues or need help?
Check the maintenance guide, ask on the discussion forum, open an issue on GitHub, or try the Slack chatroom for assistance.
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Mail-in-a-Box Uptime Monitor
Average Uptime
100%
Average Response Time
352.3 ms
