Installing your email server using Thunderbird

During my work as a web developer, I have found that many clients have a number of misconceptions when it comes to accessing their email server, and what exactly the role of your email client is. So I have put together a brief outline, to help answer these questions, and to guide my clients through the process of setting up their email accounts.

When do I have to set up my email account?

If you have a previous mail server, or you have moved your hosting account from a public host (such as Go Daddy), and you have decided to move your site to a FSCproductions.net,Inc. managed server, then you will have to set up your email client (Thunderbird).

Is Thunderbird my mail server?

No. Think of Thunderbird as your mail box, and the mail server, as your friendly mail man. You have to have a mailbox to receive the mail he delivers, but if your mail box isn't there, the post office still receives the mail, but it cannot be delivered.

Your mail client (Thunderbird) is just a means to have your email that is sent to your POP3 mail account located on the server, to your local machine.

STEP 1:

Open your Thunderbird application and click on File -> New -> Account

STEP 2:

In the new accounts window, select Email Account.

STEP 3:

Now it is time to enter in the identity details, this would be your first and last name, and the email address that is associated to the account.

STEP 4:

Now you have to enter your email servers. This is also the url where you can access your secure Web Mail application. The incoming(POP3) and outgoing(SMTP) mail servers are the same. Simply put:

• mail.[YOUR DOMAIN].com
• Your domain is the registered domain name
• The .com represents your domain extension. It could vary depending on the domain registration from .net, .org, .edu etc.

STEP 5:

This is the main issue that most people run into. The username is the COMPLETE email address.

STEP 6:

This is the name that will be listed in your inbox for the email account. This could be anything you wish it to be, since it is not sent, or visible by any other individuals but yourself.

STEP 7:

After completing the wizard, there is a couple other small changes to be made. These are extra security precautions that were initiated do to spam, and malicous email advertising. By default, the email account is set to port 25. This port, has been change. You will receive an email providing the requested email accounts, and their username and temporary passwords. The new outgoing port will be provided in that email.

Navigate to Tools -> Account Settings

STEP 8:

Select the outgoing mail server (SMTP) from the left, and highlight the account you just set up, then click on the edit button.

STEP 9:

Providing a description is optional, but you need to fill in the server name and port (review steps 4 & 7). You will then enter your outgoing username. This is the same as the username in step 5. For Use secure connection, you will select no.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have now connected your local Thunderbird mail client to the mail server.