Topic: Newbie switching from ClarkConnect

[Pumpino]

I have some basic questions about SME.  I plan to switch to it later this week, after learning that the new version of ClarkConnect will not support virtual domains as 3.2 does.  Are there any obvious differences between SME and ClarkConnect that I should be aware of?

What address do I use to access SME's webconfig once I install it?

How do I download updates for it, given that there doesn't appear to be a webconfig module for updates in the screenshots on the website?  The website seems to indicate that yum is used.  Are there any updates since SME 7.0 was released?

What is the directory path for storing website files for virtual domains (and email)?

Thanks.

[guest22]

Hi,

and welcome

Your questions sound very fair and familiar to many newbies. Please visit: http://mirror.contribs.org/smeserver/contribs//bobk/SME_Manual/chpt-00.0-title.html

The manual will tell you all.

guest

[Pumpino]

Thanks.

I've actually read various sections of the manual (the sections I assumed would cover my questions), but I can't locate those details.  Perhaps I'm blind!

[jmartin]

What address do I use to access SME's webconfig once I install it?

https://your_ip_or_domain/server-manager

How do I download updates for it, given that there doesn't appear to be a webconfig module for updates in the screenshots on the website? The website seems to indicate that yum is used. Are there any updates since SME 7.0 was released?

In the server-manager there is a "software installer" option on the navigation menu.  That is where you'll go for updates.  There has been one small update since 7.0 release.

What is the directory path for storing website files for virtual domains (and email)?

You'll want to use the server-manager to create a virtual domain.  First create and "ibay" and then create the virtual domain pointing it at the newly created ibay.  This will make more sense once you get into the server-manager and start looking around.

Have fun and I'm sure you won't be disappointed at switching over to the SME Server.

[guest22]

Just 1 more suggestion;

SME Server is a linux distribution tailored with a unique concept. I would suggest you read the complete manual and the various 'newbie' sections in our documentation link on the left, so you don't miss out on the concept.

Play with a complete install before and test yourself with regular admin and user questions _before_ using it for any production install. At the least...

Yes, there is a learning curve, but it's a nice one

[Pumpino]

Thanks for the replies.  I began reading through the PDF of the manual and it answered some questions (like the webconfig address).  I'll print out the second half of it at work and make my way through it before installing it tomorrow on my day off.  I'm sure I'll be able to get the basics working.

One last security question.  I'll be installing and running it in server-only mode, which doesn't appear to include a firewall (according to the manual...which may be out of date for 7.0 for all I know).  If my ADSL router has NAT, will that be enough?  Thanks.

[byte]

One last security question.  I'll be installing and running it in server-only mode, which doesn't appear to include a firewall (according to the manual...which may be out of date for 7.0 for all I know).  If my ADSL router has NAT, will that be enough?  Thanks.

In version 7.0 it does have a firewall in server-only mode, it's the previous versions that didn't have a firewall in server-only mode.

[Pumpino]

Sensational!  I'm looking forward to the switch!

[Pumpino]

OK, the installation went well, and I have webmail accepting and sending email for multiple domains without any dramas (that I'm aware of).  I created i-bays for the additional domains.

I have a couple of questions.

The system manager lets you configure settings for updates, but how can I manually download all available updates right now?  ie. you can direct it to check daily for updates, but I'd like to do it now.  I just did yum update and it's downloading them, but I don't know if this is the "proper" way to do it.  There was 86 meg of updates.

There doesn't seem to be a firewall in server-only mode.  Port forwarding is disabled.  Is there another section?

What is the dir for the primary domain's website files?  What is the dir for the virtual domains' website pages?  It's not in /var/www/html like most other distros.

That will do for now.  Thanks.

[Terry]

Primary domain: /home/e-smith/files/ibays/Primary

Virtual Domains: /home/e-smith/files/ibays/InsertNameHere

yum update via root is the proper way to do updates.

Unlike what is posted above, I'm not aware of a firewall in ver 7, I guess we'd have to check iptables to be sure.  As for port forwarding, you're in server only mode, port forwarding is used in server/gateway to forward external ports to internal ip's, it should be disabled in server only mode.

[Pumpino]

Thanks for your reply.  That helps me a lot.

My ADSL router has NAT and I've forwarded ports 25 and 80.  I'm assuming that https for Horde doesn't require a different port to port 80.  Is NAT adequate without a firewall?

[Terry]

80 for http, 443 for https, 25 for smtp.  Those are needed for starters.  Then, if you enable IMAPS you need and SMTPS for remote email clients (instead of wemail) you'll need 2 other ports (they escape me right now).  If you want to remote SSH to your server, you'll need to forward port 22, and if you want to remote manage the server you'll have to allow certain (or all IP's) in the remote access panel of the server-manager.
And yes, a NAT home router is enough for a home network, although I prefer IPCop.

[Pumpino]

Thanks Terry.  I only ssh from within the LAN, so I don't want to allow port 22 in my router.

I notice that if I HTTP to webmail, it redirects to HTTPS.  Does this mean I need to forward port 443 in my router, even if my friends enter http://HTTP://mydomain.com/webmail from an external location?

Thanks.

[Terry]

I notice that if I HTTP to webmail, it redirects to HTTPS.  Does this mean I need to forward port 443 in my router, even if my friends enter http://HTTP://mydomain.com/webmail from an external location?

Thanks.

Yes.

[Tib]

Pumpino

Is there a reason you don't want to run SME in server/gatway mode.

I found it a lot easier to setup everythig in server/gateway mde rather then server only mode and forward ports etc.

SME is very secure straight out of the box.

I run SME at home as well as at work without any problems at all.

As for the ADSL modem/router I just put it in bridge mode.

Regards,

Tib