How To Install iRedMail on Ubuntu 12.04 x64

Linux mail server installation with iRedMail on Ubuntu

Running your own email server can feel complicated at first. You hear words like Postfix, Dovecot, DKIM, SPF, DNS records, Roundcube, spam filters, and suddenly the whole process looks difficult.

That is exactly why iRedMail became popular. It helps you install a complete mail server system without manually configuring every single service from zero.

In this guide, you will learn how to install iRedMail on Ubuntu 12.04 x64 step by step.

Important: Ubuntu 12.04 is very old and no longer recommended for production servers. Use this guide mainly for legacy VPS systems, testing, or educational purposes. For real production mail servers, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, or Debian 12 is much safer.

What Is iRedMail?

iRedMail is an open-source mail server solution that installs and configures the most important email services automatically.

It can install and configure:

  • Postfix for SMTP email sending
  • Dovecot for IMAP and POP3 mail access
  • Roundcube webmail
  • SpamAssassin for spam filtering
  • ClamAV antivirus
  • DKIM email authentication
  • iRedAdmin control panel

Server Requirements

Before you start, make sure you have:

  • Ubuntu 12.04 x64 VPS or dedicated server
  • Root SSH access
  • At least 2GB RAM
  • A domain name
  • Port 25 open
  • Correct DNS access

Step 1: Update Your Server

Login to your server using SSH:

ssh root@your-server-ip

Update your system packages:

apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y

Then reboot the server:

reboot

Step 2: Set Your Hostname

Your mail server needs a proper hostname. Example:

mail.yourdomain.com

Edit the hostname file:

nano /etc/hostname

Add:

mail.yourdomain.com

Now edit the hosts file:

nano /etc/hosts

Add this line:

127.0.0.1 mail.yourdomain.com localhost

Apply hostname:

hostname mail.yourdomain.com

Check it:

hostname -f

Step 3: Configure DNS Records

DNS is extremely important for email delivery. Bad DNS setup is one of the biggest reasons mail servers fail.

A Record

mail.yourdomain.com → YOUR_SERVER_IP

MX Record

yourdomain.com → mail.yourdomain.com

SPF Record

v=spf1 ip4:YOUR_SERVER_IP -all

You should also configure reverse DNS from your VPS provider panel.

Step 4: Download iRedMail

Move to the root directory:

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cd /root

Download iRedMail:

wget https://github.com/iredmail/iRedMail/archive/refs/tags/1.0.0.tar.gz

Extract the archive:

tar zxf 1.0.0.tar.gz

Open the folder:

cd iRedMail-1.0.0

Step 5: Start Installation

Run the installer:

bash iRedMail.sh

The installer will open an interactive setup screen. Choose your preferred options carefully.

Recommended options for beginners:

  • Mail storage path: default
  • Web server: Nginx or Apache
  • Database backend: MySQL
  • First mail domain: yourdomain.com
  • Admin email: postmaster@yourdomain.com

Step 6: Reboot Server

After the installation finishes, reboot your server:

reboot

Step 7: Access Webmail

After reboot, open your browser and visit:

https://mail.yourdomain.com/mail

For admin panel:

https://mail.yourdomain.com/iredadmin

Login using your admin email, usually:

postmaster@yourdomain.com

Step 8: Configure DKIM

iRedMail usually generates DKIM information during installation. You can find useful installation notes here:

/root/iRedMail.tips

Add the DKIM TXT record to your DNS provider. This helps improve inbox delivery and reduces spam problems.

Step 9: Secure Your Mail Server

Mail servers are often attacked by bots, so security matters a lot.

  • Use strong admin passwords
  • Enable firewall protection
  • Use SSL certificates
  • Enable Fail2Ban
  • Monitor mail logs regularly
  • Keep your server updated

Common Problems

  • Port 25 blocked by VPS provider
  • Wrong hostname
  • Missing MX record
  • Bad SPF record
  • No reverse DNS
  • Weak server reputation

Should You Use Ubuntu 12.04 Today?

For a live production email server, no. Ubuntu 12.04 is outdated and not safe for modern production use.

But if you are working with an old server, testing legacy systems, or learning how classic mail server setups worked, this guide is still useful.

Final Thoughts

Installing a mail server manually can be difficult, but iRedMail makes the process much easier. It combines Postfix, Dovecot, Roundcube, spam protection, antivirus, and admin tools into one installation process.

If you want to learn self-hosted email infrastructure, iRedMail is one of the easiest starting points.

Just remember: for serious production use, always choose a modern supported operating system.