Postal is an open-source mail server used for sending and receiving emails. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to install Postal on Ubuntu Server.
To install Postal on Ubuntu Server, you'll need the following:
Before proceeding with the installation process, update and upgrade your Ubuntu Server by running the following command:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
Now, we are going to install the necessary Postal dependencies which are:
To install Node.js, run the following command:
curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_12.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs
To install Redis server, run the following command:
sudo apt-get install redis-server
To install PostgreSQL database, run the following command:
sudo apt-get install postgresql postgresql-contrib
Create a new PostgreSQL user for Postal by running the following command:
sudo -u postgres createuser postal
Create a new PostgreSQL database for Postal by running the following command:
sudo -u postgres createdb -O postal postal
Now, we are going to download and install Postal.
Clone the Postal repository by running the following command:
git clone https://github.com/postalhq/postal.git /opt/postal
Navigate to the Postal directory by running the following command:
cd /opt/postal
Now, run the installer script by running the following command:
sudo ./bin/postal install
The installation process will take a few moments. Follow the on-screen instructions and provide the necessary information.
After the installation is complete, navigate to the Postal configuration directory by running the following command:
cd /opt/postal/config
Open the Postal production.env file by running the following command:
sudo nano production.env
Replace the following fields:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| POSTAL_ADDRESS | Enter your server IP address or FQDN |
| POSTAL_HOSTNAME | Enter your server domain name |
| POSTAL_DB_USER | Enter the PostgreSQL username (i.e., postal) |
| POSTAL_DB_PASS | Enter the PostgreSQL password |
| RAILS_SECRET_KEY_BASE | Generate a new random string and enter here for enhanced security |
Save and close the file.
Now, start Postal services by running the following command:
sudo systemctl start postal
To check the status of Postal services, run the following command:
sudo systemctl status postal
If everything is running fine, you should see the Active: active status.
You have successfully installed Postal on Ubuntu Server. You can now start using Postal to send and receive emails.
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