How to Make an Email Server with a VPS: A Comprehensive Guide

Business communication heavily relies on email. While many opt for third-party email hosting services, setting up your own email server using a Virtual Private Server (VPS) offers enhanced control, security, and customization. This guide will walk you through the process of creating your own email server with a VPS, focusing on how to leverage a VPS for a robust and efficient self-hosted email solution.

Why Choose a VPS to Host Your Own Email Server?

Self-hosting an email server might seem daunting, but the advantages it provides over conventional third-party services are significant, especially when utilizing a VPS:

Unparalleled Control: With a self-hosted email server, you dictate every aspect of your email service. From selecting the Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) to implementing custom security protocols and features, the control is entirely in your hands. This level of customization is rarely achievable with pre-packaged third-party solutions.
Enhanced Data Privacy: A VPS environment offers superior data isolation. Unlike shared hosting where your data coexists with numerous other users, a VPS provides a dedicated and isolated space. This isolation is crucial for maintaining the privacy and security of your email communications.
Improved Email Reputation and Deliverability: Free or shared email services often suffer from deliverability issues due to shared IP addresses that can be blacklisted. A VPS comes with a dedicated IP address, giving you the opportunity to build and maintain a positive email reputation, significantly improving deliverability rates.
Cost-Effectiveness in the Long Run: While initial setup might seem involved, self-hosting on a VPS can be more cost-effective, especially for businesses requiring multiple email accounts and substantial storage. VPS plans are scalable, allowing you to adjust resources as your needs grow without incurring per-user fees typical of many email hosting services.
Scalability for Growing Needs: As your business expands, so do your communication needs. A VPS offers seamless scalability, allowing you to easily upgrade server resources and implement load balancing to handle increased email traffic. This scalability is often limited with standard email hosting plans.
Robust Security Measures: Self-hosting empowers you to implement tailored security measures. You have the freedom to configure firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption methods that align precisely with your security requirements, providing a more secure email environment.

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Your Email Server on a VPS

Here’s a detailed walkthrough on how to set up your own email server using a VPS. We’ll utilize Hostinger VPS and CyberPanel for this tutorial, known for their user-friendly interface and robust features.

1. Selecting the Ideal VPS Plan

Choosing the right VPS plan is the foundation of a successful email server setup. Consider these key factors when making your selection:

Resource Allocation: Your VPS plan must provide adequate bandwidth, storage space, and processing power to handle your anticipated email volume and storage needs. Consider future growth and choose a plan that offers room to scale.
Reliability and Uptime Guarantee: Email communication is critical, so ensure your VPS provider offers a high uptime guarantee. Look for providers like Hostinger that promise 99.9% uptime to ensure consistent email service availability.
Dedicated IP Address: A dedicated IP address is non-negotiable for a self-hosted email server. It directly impacts your sender reputation and email deliverability. Ensure the VPS plan includes a dedicated IP.
User-Friendly Management Tools: Opt for a VPS provider that offers intuitive management tools, ideally a control panel like CyberPanel. Features such as one-click installers and graphical interfaces simplify server management and email server configuration.

Hostinger VPS plans are an excellent choice, starting at just $4.99/month, and include a 30-day money-back guarantee. They offer reliable infrastructure with a 99.9% uptime guarantee and dedicated IP addresses across all VPS KVM plans. Hostinger also provides hPanel, which simplifies operating system and control panel installations, and the Kodee AI Assistant for server troubleshooting.

Alt: Hostinger VPS hosting solutions providing reliable and scalable virtual private servers for various online needs.

2. Initial VPS Setup

Once you’ve chosen your VPS plan, navigate to the VPS section in your hPanel and select your newly provisioned server. Proceed with the setup, which typically involves:

Hostname Configuration: Assign a hostname to your VPS. This name will help you identify your server and is crucial for server management.
Server Location Selection: Choose a server location that is geographically closest to your primary user base for optimal latency and performance.
Operating System Choice: Select an operating system for your VPS. For this guide, we recommend AlmaLinux 8 with CyberPanel due to its stability and compatibility with CyberPanel.

To install AlmaLinux 8 with CyberPanel:

Log into hPanel and go to the VPS section. Select your server.
In the sidebar, click Settings -> OS & Panel -> Operating System.
Choose OS with Control Panel.
From the dropdown, select AlmaLinux 8 with CyberPanel.
Click Change OS.

Warning: Changing the OS will erase all data on your VPS. Always back up your data before performing this operation.

Alternatively, you can install CyberPanel on other Linux distributions via SSH. Connect to your server using an SSH client like PuTTY, using the credentials found under SSH Access in your VPS overview. Run the following command to initiate the CyberPanel installation wizard:

sh <(curl https://cyberpanel.net/install.sh || wget -O - https://cyberpanel.net/install.sh)

3. Pointing Your Domain to Your Mail Server

To make your email server accessible via your domain, you need to configure your domain’s DNS settings to point to your VPS.

First, register a domain name if you don’t already have one. Then, in hPanel:

Go to Domains from the top menu.
Select the domain you intend to use for your email server.
Navigate to DNS / Nameservers -> Child Nameservers.
Create child nameservers, for example, ns1.domain.tld and ns2.domain.tld, and link them to your VPS IP address (found in your VPS overview). Save these settings.

Alt: Configuring child nameservers within Hostinger’s hPanel to link a domain to a VPS for email server setup.

Go to the DNS Records tab.
Under Nameservers, click Change nameservers.
Select Change nameservers and input your two child nameservers. Leave other fields blank.
Save your changes.

DNS propagation can take up to 24 hours to complete.

4. Creating a Website Container in CyberPanel

CyberPanel requires a website container for domain binding and DNS configuration, even if you’re only using the VPS for email.

Access CyberPanel by navigating to https://your_vps_ip:8090 in your browser or through the panel access link in hPanel’s Operating System menu. Log in with the admin credentials (reset them via the Operating System menu if needed).

To create a website container:

Go to Websites -> Create Website.
Select Default under Select Package.
Choose admin as the Owner.
Disable Test Domain and enter your domain name (without www).
Enter an administrative email address for the website/email server.
Select a PHP version (newest recommended).
Enable DKIM Support to enhance email security and deliverability.
Click Create Website.

Alt: Setting up a website container in CyberPanel, essential for domain binding and DNS configuration for an email server on a VPS.

Important: Your browser might display a security warning when accessing CyberPanel for the first time due to the SSL certificate. You can safely proceed to the login page.

5. Configuring Nameservers in CyberPanel

Next, create nameservers within CyberPanel to manage DNS records for your domain and email service:

In CyberPanel, go to DNS -> Create Nameserver.
Enter your previously created child nameservers and your VPS IP address.
Click Create Nameserver.

CyberPanel will automatically generate essential DNS records, including MX records necessary for email routing. You can verify these records by going to DNS -> Add/Delete Records.

Additionally, enable DKIM by navigating to Email -> DKIM Manager, select your domain, and ensure public and private key pairs are generated. DKIM is crucial for preventing email spoofing and improving deliverability, especially to major email providers like Gmail.

Use a DNS checker tool to confirm DNS propagation before moving forward.

6. Issuing an SSL Certificate for Your Domain

SSL certificates are vital for securing your email server communication through encryption. CyberPanel provides free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates:

Go to SSL -> MailServer SSL in CyberPanel.
Select your domain from the dropdown list.
Click Issue SSL.

This process might take a few minutes to complete and will secure your email server with SSL encryption.

7. Setting Up Reverse DNS (PTR Record)

A reverse DNS record (PTR record) improves email deliverability by allowing recipient mail servers to verify that your server IP address is associated with your domain.

In hPanel:

Go to VPS and select your server.
Click Settings in the sidebar.
Go to the IP Addresses tab and click Set PTR record.
Enter your domain name and click Save.

Wait for DNS propagation. You can verify the reverse DNS setup using the following command in your terminal, replacing ip_address with your VPS IP:

dig -x ip_address

8. Creating Your Email Account

With server and domain configurations complete, you can now create your email account:

In CyberPanel, navigate to Email -> Create Email.
Select your domain.
Enter your desired email address and password.
Click Create Email.

Alt: Creating a new email account within CyberPanel, specifying domain, email address, and password for a self-hosted email server.

To view and manage your email accounts and find SMTP and POP3/IMAP server settings, go to Email -> List Emails. These settings are necessary for configuring email clients like Thunderbird or Outlook.

9. Testing Your Email Server

Finally, test your email server to ensure it’s functioning correctly:

In CyberPanel, go to Email -> Access Webmail.
Log in to the webmail client using your newly created email credentials.
Compose and send a test email to an external email address.
Check the recipient inbox to confirm successful delivery.
Send an email back to your new email account to test inbound email reception.

Pro Tip: CyberPanel’s Webmail interface offers a mobile version accessible via account settings for удобство on mobile devices.

To assess your email server’s spam score and deliverability, use a tool like Mail Tester. This service analyzes your email and provides a deliverability score along with suggestions for improvement. Ensure your test emails are substantive and avoid using trigger words like “test” to prevent false positives from spam filters.

Utilize Hostinger’s Kodee AI assistant for troubleshooting any deliverability issues that may arise.

Conclusion

Setting up your own email server on a VPS offers significant advantages in terms of control, security, and scalability. By following these steps, you can establish a robust email infrastructure tailored to your specific needs.

Here’s a recap of the process:

Choose a VPS Plan: Select a VPS plan that meets your resource, reliability, and dedicated IP requirements, such as Hostinger VPS.
Set Up Your VPS: Configure your VPS with AlmaLinux 8 and CyberPanel via hPanel.
Point Your Domain: Configure child nameservers and DNS settings to point your domain to your VPS.
Create a Website Container: Set up an empty website container in CyberPanel for domain management.
Configure Nameservers in CyberPanel: Create and configure nameservers within CyberPanel for DNS management.
Issue an SSL Certificate: Secure your email server with a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate via CyberPanel.
Set Up Reverse DNS: Add a PTR record in hPanel to improve email deliverability.
Create Your Email Account: Create your email account through CyberPanel’s email management interface.
Test Your Email Server: Thoroughly test sending and receiving emails and check your spam score using online tools.

Remember that specific steps might vary based on your chosen hosting provider and server configuration. If you encounter any issues, consult your provider’s documentation or support resources. Good luck setting up your self-hosted email server!

Host Your Own Email Server FAQ

Is It Worth Hosting Your Own Email Server?

Yes, for users and businesses that prioritize control, customization, and data privacy, self-hosting an email server on a VPS is highly worthwhile. It provides flexibility and scalability not found in standard email hosting services. However, if you prefer a simpler, pre-configured solution, third-party email hosting might be more suitable.

How Much Does It Cost to Host Your Own Email Server?

The primary cost is the VPS itself. Hostinger VPS plans start at $4.99/month. Additional costs may include domain registration and potentially premium software licenses, though open-source solutions like CyberPanel offer significant cost savings. Avoid using a personal computer as it incurs higher long-term costs and management overhead.

Is Hosting My Own Email Server Secure?

Self-hosting can be very secure if properly configured. Implementing SSL certificates, firewalls, and regular security updates are crucial. However, it also places the responsibility for security squarely on the user. Misconfigurations can lead to vulnerabilities, so technical expertise and diligent security practices are essential.

Author: Aris Sentika

Aris is a Content Writer with expertise in Linux and WordPress development, passionate about networking, front-end development, and server administration. He focuses on creating accessible and informative content that helps individuals navigate the complexities of technology. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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