Setting up a full email server (send + receive + IMAP/POP3) on Ubuntu 24.04 is most commonly done with Postfix + Dovecot.

Two main realistic paths in 2026:

  • Quick & production-ready → Use iRedMail (automated script, includes webmail, SPF/DKIM/DMARC, anti-spam)
  • Learning / custom → Manual Postfix + Dovecot + extras

Recommendation: Start with iRedMail unless you need to deeply understand/customize every component.

Minimal requirements

  • Fresh Ubuntu 24.04 LTS server (minimal install preferred)
  • ≥ 4 GB RAM
  • Clean IP (not blacklisted)
  • Domain + DNS access (MX, A, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, rDNS/PTR)

Steps (summary)

  1. Update system & set correct hostname
  2. Download and run iRedMail installer
  3. Follow the configuration wizard
  4. Add required DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

Follow detailed guides such as:

Core first step:

sudo apt install postfix postfix-mysql dovecot-core dovecot-imapd ...

  • Port 25 outbound often blocked on VPS providers → contact support to unblock
  • Without valid rDNS + SPF + DKIM + DMARC → mail lands in spam or gets rejected
  • Google / Microsoft / Yahoo have strict requirements since 2024
  • Expect spam/attacks → install fail2ban + configure strong firewall rules