How do I configure Exim on my VPS to start using the mail service?

On our VPS's you can always use our mail service free of charge, also referred to as 'Carefree Mailing'. With this service you will use our mail services to relay outgoing e-mail. In order to use the mail service, a one-time configuration of Exim on your VPS is required.

When using the mail service you will no longer have to worry about mails being delivered in the spamfolder due to incorrect reverse DNS or SPF-records, or because a blacklist is blocking mails from your IP-address.

To successfully set this up you will need to perform some configuration changes on your VPS to make sure your VPS and domains are properly authenticated for the use of our platform.

Configuring Exim manually

Use these steps if you're not using the wizard. First, consult this article if you haven't already, in order to retrieve your username and password, as well as to configure the required DNS records for your domain. Then, follow the steps below in your VPS-console or using SSH.

Step 1

Log in onto your BladeVPS via the console or via SSH and make sure you are running as 'root' or use the 'sudo' command to perform these steps.

Step 2

Execute the 'Debian'-config file if you are running Debian or Ubuntu:

dpkg-reconfigure exim4-config

Step 3

Select the following options:

Select: mail sent by smarthost; no local mail
Enter the VPS's hostname (usually pre-filled)
Enter the local IP's where you want exim to listen on for incoming mail (usually pre-filled)
Enter 'other destinations' for which mail is accepted 
Enter the local domain you want to use to send mail from
Enter the mailclusters hostname: vps.transip.email::587 - Please notice the double ::
Keep number of DNS-queries minimal (Yes or No) - personal choice
Split config in smaller files (Yes or No) - personal choice

Step 4

Open /etc/exim4/passwd.client

nano /etc/exim4/passwd.client

Step 5

Add the line below and then save your changes and exit nano (ctrl + x > y > enter).

vps.transip.email:USERNAME@vps.transip.email:PASSWORD

The username and the password can be found using the instructions in this article.

Step 6

Restart Exim using one of the commands below.

systemctl restart exim
/etc/init.d/exim4 restart

You can (quickly) test if it works by sending a test mail via 'sendmail':

sendmail -t
To: recipient@example.com
From: sender@example.com
Onderwerp: sendmail test message
message to test mail functionalty

The part 'message to test mail functionality' is the body of your e-mail. After typing the lines above (don't forget to change the mail address), send the e-mail by simultaniously pressing the ctrl + d keys.

Should you have any questions left regarding this article, do not hesitate to contact our support department. You can reach them via the ‘Contact Us’ button at the bottom of this page.