Configure SmarterMail as a Free Gateway Server

SmarterMail is powerful enough to be used as a complete mail system that performs multiple roles from a single server, including the role of gateway server. In fact, the SmarterMail Free edition can be downloaded and installed to operate as a free gateway server.

Applies to SmarterMail 8.x - 15.x

Incoming Gateway
Incoming gateways can be utilized to perform spam checks and antivirus scans, host third party antivirus and/or antispam software, and to pre-scan email messages prior to delivery to the primary mail server. Load is also reduced on the primary server as the incoming gateway manages all incoming sessions and performs abuse/intrusion detection.

Follow these steps to configure SmarterMail as an incoming gateway:

1. Log into SmarterMail as the system administrator.
2. Click the settings icon.
3. Expand the Routing folder in the navigation pane.
4. Click Incoming Gateways.
5. Click New in the content pane toolbar.
6. Click the Options tab.
7. In the Gateway Mode field, select Domain Forward from the list.
8. Type the IP address or IP Range in the appropriate field(s).
9. If you are using SmarterMail as a gateway to another SmarterMail server, you will also need to follow these steps:
   • Select the Enable SmarterMail gateway mode checkbox.
   • Click the SmarterMail Gateway tab.
   • Type the SmarterMail URL, username, and password used to log into the primary mail server in the appropriate fields.
10. Click Save.
11. Expand the Bindings folder in the navigation pane.
12. Click IP Addresses. A list of IP addresses will load in the content pane.
13. Select the desired IP address and click Edit.
14. Select the SMTP checkbox.
15. Click Save.
16. In DNS, change the MX records of your domains to reference the new gateway server.

Once these steps are completed, install and configure any third-party antivirus or antispam products. All other configuration settings are optional.

Outgoing Gateway
Outgoing gateways can reduce the load on the primary server by using a secondary server to process outgoing mail. One benefit of configuring SmarterMail in this role is that it functions as an effective method to combat blacklisting and can help ensure a quick system recovery. In addition, this configuration of SmarterMail can run spam checks on outbound messages to prevent spam messages from being sent to remote servers, thereby reducing the likelihood of a blacklisted IP address.

Follow these steps to configure SmarterMail as an outgoing gateway:

1. Log into SmarterMail as the system administrator.
2. Click the settings icon.
3. Expand the Bindings folder in the navigation pane.
4. Click IP Addresses. A list of IP addresses will load in the content pane.
5. Select the desired IP address and click Edit.
6. Select the SMTP checkbox.
7. Click Save.
8. Add the primary mail server's IP address to the IP whitelist for SMTP by following these steps:
   • Click the security icon.
   • Click Whitelist in the navigation pane.
   • Click New in the content pane toolbar.
   • Type the IP address or IP range in the appropriate field(s).
   • Select the SMTP checkbox.
   • Click Save.
9. In your primary mail server's general settings, set the IP address of the gateway server and enable gateway mode. NOTE: If SmarterMail is your primary mail server, these settings can be found at Settings | Routing | Outgoing Gateways. 

All other configuration settings are optional.

For more information about incoming and outgoing gateway servers and how they work, refer to the SmarterMail Online Help.

Learn more about SmarterMail's enterprise email features and benefits.