Mail server will send out going mail but will not recive-Collection of common programming errors

I’ve just set up my first mail server with Postfix and Dovecot . I can send out going mail (via squirrel mail) fine but cannot recive them . Pingability tells me that “ConnectException: Connection refused” but my firewall is not blocking port 25 . I suspect it has something to do with my Postfix config file :

  #soft_bounce = no
        smtpd_sasl_auth_enable = yes
        smtpd_recipient_restrictions = permit_mynetworks,permit_sasl_authenticated,reject_unauth_destination
        smtpd_sasl_security_options = noanonymous
        smtpd_sasl_type = dovecot
        smtpd_sasl_path = private/auth
        # LOCAL PATHNAME INFORMATION
        #
        # The queue_directory specifies the location of the Postfix queue.
        # This is also the root directory of Postfix daemons that run chrooted.
        # See the files in examples/chroot-setup for setting up Postfix chroot
        # environments on different UNIX systems.
        #
        queue_directory = /var/spool/postfix

        # The command_directory parameter specifies the location of all
        # postXXX commands.
        #
        command_directory = /usr/sbin


        daemon_directory = /usr/libexec/postfix


        mail_owner = postfix


        #default_privs = nobody

        # INTERNET HOST AND DOMAIN NAMES
        # 
        # The myhostname parameter specifies the internet hostname of this
        # mail system. The default is to use the fully-qualified domain name
        # from gethostname(). $myhostname is used as a default value for many
        # other configuration parameters.
        #
        myhostname = mail.myserver(i've blanked this out).com
        #myhostname = virtual.domain.tld


        mydomain = myserver(i've blanked this out).com


        #myorigin = $myhostname
        myorigin = $mydomain

        # RECEIVING MAIL

        # The inet_interfaces parameter specifies the network interface
        # addresses that this mail system receives mail on.  By default,
        # the software claims all active interfaces on the machine. The
        # parameter also controls delivery of mail to user@[ip.address].
        #
        # See also the proxy_interfaces parameter, for network addresses that
        # are forwarded to us via a proxy or network address translator.
        #
        # Note: you need to stop/start Postfix when this parameter changes.
        #
        inet_interfaces = all
        #inet_interfaces = $myhostname
        #inet_interfaces = $myhostname, localhost
        #inet_interfaces = localhost

        # The proxy_interfaces parameter specifies the network interface
        # addresses that this mail system receives mail on by way of a
        # proxy or network address translation unit. This setting extends
        # the address list specified with the inet_interfaces parameter.
        #
        # You must specify your proxy/NAT addresses when your system is a
        # backup MX host for other domains, otherwise mail delivery loops
        # will happen when the primary MX host is down.
        #
        #proxy_interfaces =
        #proxy_interfaces = 1.2.3.4

        # The mydestination parameter specifies the list of domains that this
        # machine considers itself the final destination for.
        #
        # These domains are routed to the delivery agent specified with the
        # local_transport parameter setting. By default, that is the UNIX
        # compatible delivery agent that lookups all recipients in /etc/passwd
        # and /etc/aliases or their equivalent.
        #
        # The default is $myhostname + localhost.$mydomain.  On a mail domain
        # gateway, you should also include $mydomain.
        #
        # Do not specify the names of virtual domains - those domains are
        # specified elsewhere (see VIRTUAL_README).
        #
        # Do not specify the names of domains that this machine is backup MX
        # host for. Specify those names via the relay_domains settings for
        # the SMTP server, or use permit_mx_backup if you are lazy (see
        # STANDARD_CONFIGURATION_README).
        #
        # The local machine is always the final destination for mail addressed
        # to user@[the.net.work.address] of an interface that the mail system
        # receives mail on (see the inet_interfaces parameter).
        #
        # Specify a list of host or domain names, /file/name or type:table
        # patterns, separated by commas and/or whitespace. A /file/name
        # pattern is replaced by its contents; a type:table is matched when
        # a name matches a lookup key (the right-hand side is ignored).
        # Continue long lines by starting the next line with whitespace.
        #
        # See also below, section "REJECTING MAIL FOR UNKNOWN LOCAL USERS".
        #
        mydestination = $myhostname, $mydomain,
        #mydestination = $myhostname, localhost.$mydomain, localhost, $mydomain
        #mydestination = $myhostname, localhost.$mydomain, localhost, $mydomain,
        #   mail.$mydomain, www.$mydomain, ftp.$mydomain

        # REJECTING MAIL FOR UNKNOWN LOCAL USERS
        #
        # The local_recipient_maps parameter specifies optional lookup tables
        # with all names or addresses of users that are local with respect
        # to $mydestination, $inet_interfaces or $proxy_interfaces.
        #
        # If this parameter is defined, then the SMTP server will reject
        # mail for unknown local users. This parameter is defined by default.
        #
        # To turn off local recipient checking in the SMTP server, specify
        # local_recipient_maps = (i.e. empty).
        #
        # The default setting assumes that you use the default Postfix local
        # delivery agent for local delivery. You need to update the
        # local_recipient_maps setting if:
        #
        # - You define $mydestination domain recipients in files other than
        #   /etc/passwd, /etc/aliases, or the $virtual_alias_maps files.
        #   For example, you define $mydestination domain recipients in    
        #   the $virtual_mailbox_maps files.
        #
        # - You redefine the local delivery agent in master.cf.
        #
        # - You redefine the "local_transport" setting in main.cf.
        #
        # - You use the "luser_relay", "mailbox_transport", or "fallback_transport"
        #   feature of the Postfix local delivery agent (see local(8)).
        #
        # Details are described in the LOCAL_RECIPIENT_README file.
        #
        # Beware: if the Postfix SMTP server runs chrooted, you probably have
        # to access the passwd file via the proxymap service, in order to
        # overcome chroot restrictions. The alternative, having a copy of
        # the system passwd file in the chroot jail is just not practical.
        #
        # The right-hand side of the lookup tables is conveniently ignored.
        # In the left-hand side, specify a bare username, an @domain.tld
        # wild-card, or specify a [email protected] address.
        # 
        #local_recipient_maps = unix:passwd.byname $alias_maps
        #local_recipient_maps = proxy:unix:passwd.byname $alias_maps
        #local_recipient_maps =

        # The unknown_local_recipient_reject_code specifies the SMTP server
        # response code when a recipient domain matches $mydestination or
        # ${proxy,inet}_interfaces, while $local_recipient_maps is non-empty
        # and the recipient address or address local-part is not found.
        #
        # The default setting is 550 (reject mail) but it is safer to start
        # with 450 (try again later) until you are certain that your
        # local_recipient_maps settings are OK.
        #
        unknown_local_recipient_reject_code = 550

        # TRUST AND RELAY CONTROL

        # The mynetworks parameter specifies the list of "trusted" SMTP
        # clients that have more privileges than "strangers".
        #
        # In particular, "trusted" SMTP clients are allowed to relay mail
        # through Postfix.  See the smtpd_recipient_restrictions parameter
        # in postconf(5).
        #
        # You can specify the list of "trusted" network addresses by hand
        # or you can let Postfix do it for you (which is the default).
        #
        # By default (mynetworks_style = subnet), Postfix "trusts" SMTP
        # clients in the same IP subnetworks as the local machine.
        # On Linux, this does works correctly only with interfaces specified
        # with the "ifconfig" command.
        # 
        # Specify "mynetworks_style = class" when Postfix should "trust" SMTP
        # clients in the same IP class A/B/C networks as the local machine.
        # Don't do this with a dialup site - it would cause Postfix to "trust"
        # your entire provider's network.  Instead, specify an explicit
        # mynetworks list by hand, as described below.
        #  
        # Specify "mynetworks_style = host" when Postfix should "trust"
        # only the local machine.
        # 
        #mynetworks_style = class
        #mynetworks_style = subnet
        #mynetworks_style = host

        # Alternatively, you can specify the mynetworks list by hand, in
        # which case Postfix ignores the mynetworks_style setting.
        #
        # Specify an explicit list of network/netmask patterns, where the
        # mask specifies the number of bits in the network part of a host
        # address.
        #
        # You can also specify the absolute pathname of a pattern file instead
        # of listing the patterns here. Specify type:table for table-based lookups
        # (the value on the table right-hand side is not used).
        #
        #mynetworks = 168.100.189.0/28, 127.0.0.0/8
        #mynetworks = $config_directory/mynetworks
        #mynetworks = hash:/etc/postfix/network_table

        # The relay_domains parameter restricts what destinations this system will
        # relay mail to.  See the smtpd_recipient_restrictions description in
        # postconf(5) for detailed information.
        #
        # By default, Postfix relays mail
        # - from "trusted" clients (IP address matches $mynetworks) to any destination,
        # - from "untrusted" clients to destinations that match $relay_domains or
        #   subdomains thereof, except addresses with sender-specified routing.
        # The default relay_domains value is $mydestination.
        # 
        # In addition to the above, the Postfix SMTP server by default accepts mail
        # that Postfix is final destination for:
        # - destinations that match $inet_interfaces or $proxy_interfaces,
        # - destinations that match $mydestination
        # - destinations that match $virtual_alias_domains,
        # - destinations that match $virtual_mailbox_domains.
        # These destinations do not need to be listed in $relay_domains.
        # 
        # Specify a list of hosts or domains, /file/name patterns or type:name
        # lookup tables, separated by commas and/or whitespace.  Continue
        # long lines by starting the next line with whitespace. A file name
        # is replaced by its contents; a type:name table is matched when a
        # (parent) domain appears as lookup key.
        #
        # NOTE: Postfix will not automatically forward mail for domains that
        # list this system as their primary or backup MX host. See the
        # permit_mx_backup restriction description in postconf(5).
        #
        #relay_domains = $mydestination

        # INTERNET OR INTRANET

        # The relayhost parameter specifies the default host to send mail to
        # when no entry is matched in the optional transport(5) table. When
        # no relayhost is given, mail is routed directly to the destination.
        #
        # On an intranet, specify the organizational domain name. If your
        # internal DNS uses no MX records, specify the name of the intranet
        # gateway host instead.
        #
        # In the case of SMTP, specify a domain, host, host:port, [host]:port,
        # [address] or [address]:port; the form [host] turns off MX lookups.
        #
        # If you're connected via UUCP, see also the default_transport parameter.
        #
        #relayhost = $mydomain
        #relayhost = [gateway.my.domain]
        #relayhost = [mailserver.isp.tld]
        #relayhost = uucphost
        #relayhost = [an.ip.add.ress]

        # REJECTING UNKNOWN RELAY USERS
        #
        # The relay_recipient_maps parameter specifies optional lookup tables
        # with all addresses in the domains that match $relay_domains.
        #
        # If this parameter is defined, then the SMTP server will reject
        # mail for unknown relay users. This feature is off by default.
        #
        # The right-hand side of the lookup tables is conveniently ignored.
        # In the left-hand side, specify an @domain.tld wild-card, or specify
        # a [email protected] address.
        # 
        #relay_recipient_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/relay_recipients

        # INPUT RATE CONTROL
        #
        # The in_flow_delay configuration parameter implements mail input
        # flow control. This feature is turned on by default, although it
        # still needs further development (it's disabled on SCO UNIX due
        # to an SCO bug).
        # 
        # A Postfix process will pause for $in_flow_delay seconds before
        # accepting a new message, when the message arrival rate exceeds the
        # message delivery rate. With the default 100 SMTP server process
        # limit, this limits the mail inflow to 100 messages a second more
        # than the number of messages delivered per second.
        # 
        # Specify 0 to disable the feature. Valid delays are 0..10.
        # 
        #in_flow_delay = 1s

        # ADDRESS REWRITING
        #
        # The ADDRESS_REWRITING_README document gives information about
        # address masquerading or other forms of address rewriting including
        # username->Firstname.Lastname mapping.

        # ADDRESS REDIRECTION (VIRTUAL DOMAIN)
        #
        # The VIRTUAL_README document gives information about the many forms
        # of domain hosting that Postfix supports.

        # "USER HAS MOVED" BOUNCE MESSAGES
        #
        # See the discussion in the ADDRESS_REWRITING_README document.

        # TRANSPORT MAP
        #
        # See the discussion in the ADDRESS_REWRITING_README document.

        # ALIAS DATABASE
        #
        # The alias_maps parameter specifies the list of alias databases used
        # by the local delivery agent. The default list is system dependent.
        #
        # On systems with NIS, the default is to search the local alias
        # database, then the NIS alias database. See aliases(5) for syntax
        # details.
        # 
        # If you change the alias database, run "postalias /etc/aliases" (or
        # wherever your system stores the mail alias file), or simply run
        # "newaliases" to build the necessary DBM or DB file.
        #
        # It will take a minute or so before changes become visible.  Use
        # "postfix reload" to eliminate the delay.
        #
        #alias_maps = dbm:/etc/aliases
        alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases
        #alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases, nis:mail.aliases
        #alias_maps = netinfo:/aliases

        # The alias_database parameter specifies the alias database(s) that
        # are built with "newaliases" or "sendmail -bi".  This is a separate
        # configuration parameter, because alias_maps (see above) may specify
        # tables that are not necessarily all under control by Postfix.
        #
        #alias_database = dbm:/etc/aliases
        #alias_database = dbm:/etc/mail/aliases
        alias_database = hash:/etc/aliases
        #alias_database = hash:/etc/aliases, hash:/opt/majordomo/aliases

        # ADDRESS EXTENSIONS (e.g., user+foo)
        #
        # The recipient_delimiter parameter specifies the separator between
        # user names and address extensions (user+foo). See canonical(5),
        # local(8), relocated(5) and virtual(5) for the effects this has on
        # aliases, canonical, virtual, relocated and .forward file lookups.
        # Basically, the software tries user+foo and .forward+foo before
        # trying user and .forward.
        #
        #recipient_delimiter = +

        # DELIVERY TO MAILBOX
        #
        # The home_mailbox parameter specifies the optional pathname of a
        # mailbox file relative to a user's home directory. The default
        # mailbox file is /var/spool/mail/user or /var/mail/user.  Specify
        # "Maildir/" for qmail-style delivery (the / is required).
        #
        #home_mailbox = Mailbox
        #home_mailbox = Maildir/

        # The mail_spool_directory parameter specifies the directory where
        # UNIX-style mailboxes are kept. The default setting depends on the
        # system type.
        #
        #mail_spool_directory = /var/mail
        #mail_spool_directory = /var/spool/mail


        #mailbox_command = /some/where/procmail
        #mailbox_command = /some/where/procmail -a "$EXTENSION"

        # The mailbox_transport specifies the optional transport in master.cf
        # to use after processing aliases and .forward files. This parameter
        # has precedence over the mailbox_command, fallback_transport and
        # luser_relay parameters.
        #

        #mailbox_transport = lmtp:unix:/var/lib/imap/socket/lmtp


        # mailbox_transport as below:
        #
        # mailbox_transport = lmtp:unix:/var/lib/imap/socket/lmtp
        #
        # The efficiency of LMTP delivery for cyrus-imapd can be enhanced via
        # these settings.
        #
        # local_destination_recipient_limit = 300
        # local_destination_concurrency_limit = 5
        #

        #
        # To use the old cyrus deliver program you have to set:
        #mailbox_transport = cyrus

        # The fallback_transport specifies the optional transport in master.cf
        # to use for recipients that are not found in the UNIX passwd database.
        # This parameter has precedence over the luser_relay parameter.
        #
        # Specify a string of the form transport:nexthop, where transport is
        # the name of a mail delivery transport defined in master.cf.  The
        # :nexthop part is optional. For more details see the sample transport
        # configuration file.
        #

        #
        #fallback_transport = lmtp:unix:/var/lib/imap/socket/lmtp
        #fallback_transport =


        # luser_relay works only for the default Postfix local delivery agent.
        #
        # NOTE: if you use this feature for accounts not in the UNIX password
        # file, then you must specify "local_recipient_maps =" (i.e. empty) in
        # the main.cf file, otherwise the SMTP server will reject mail for    
        # non-UNIX accounts with "User unknown in local recipient table".
        #
        #luser_relay = [email protected]
        #luser_relay = [email protected]
        #luser_relay = admin+$local

        # JUNK MAIL CONTROLS
        # 
        # The controls listed here are only a very small subset. The file
        # SMTPD_ACCESS_README provides an overview.

        # The header_checks parameter specifies an optional table with patterns
        # that each logical message header is matched against, including
        # headers that span multiple physical lines.
        #
        # By default, these patterns also apply to MIME headers and to the
        # headers of attached messages. With older Postfix versions, MIME and
        # attached message headers were treated as body text.
        #
        # For details, see "man header_checks".
        #
        #header_checks = regexp:/etc/postfix/header_checks

        # FAST ETRN SERVICE
        #
        # Postfix maintains per-destination logfiles with information about
        # deferred mail, so that mail can be flushed quickly with the SMTP
        # "ETRN domain.tld" command, or by executing "sendmail -qRdomain.tld".
        # See the ETRN_README document for a detailed description.
        # 
        # The fast_flush_domains parameter controls what destinations are
        # eligible for this service. By default, they are all domains that
        # this server is willing to relay mail to.
        # 
        #fast_flush_domains = $relay_domains

        # SHOW SOFTWARE VERSION OR NOT
        #
        # The smtpd_banner parameter specifies the text that follows the 220
        # code in the SMTP server's greeting banner. Some people like to see
        # the mail version advertised. By default, Postfix shows no version.
        #
        # You MUST specify $myhostname at the start of the text. That is an
        # RFC requirement. Postfix itself does not care.
        #
        #smtpd_banner = $myhostname ESMTP $mail_name
        #smtpd_banner = $myhostname ESMTP $mail_name ($mail_version)

        # PARALLEL DELIVERY TO THE SAME DESTINATION
        #
        # How many parallel deliveries to the same user or domain? With local
        # delivery, it does not make sense to do massively parallel delivery
        # to the same user, because mailbox updates must happen sequentially,
        # and expensive pipelines in .forward files can cause disasters when
        # too many are run at the same time. With SMTP deliveries, 10
        # simultaneous connections to the same domain could be sufficient to
        # raise eyebrows.
        # 
        # Each message delivery transport has its XXX_destination_concurrency_limit
        # parameter.  The default is $default_destination_concurrency_limit for
        # most delivery transports. For the local delivery agent the default is 2.

        #local_destination_concurrency_limit = 2
        #default_destination_concurrency_limit = 20

        # DEBUGGING CONTROL
        #
        # The debug_peer_level parameter specifies the increment in verbose
        # logging level when an SMTP client or server host name or address
        # matches a pattern in the debug_peer_list parameter.
        #
        debug_peer_level = 2

        # The debug_peer_list parameter specifies an optional list of domain
        # or network patterns, /file/name patterns or type:name tables. When
        # an SMTP client or server host name or address matches a pattern,
        # increase the verbose logging level by the amount specified in the
        # debug_peer_level parameter.
        #
        #debug_peer_list = 127.0.0.1
        #debug_peer_list = some.domain

        # The debugger_command specifies the external command that is executed
        # when a Postfix daemon program is run with the -D option.
        #
        # Use "command .. & sleep 5" so that the debugger can attach before
        # the process marches on. If you use an X-based debugger, be sure to
        # set up your XAUTHORITY environment variable before starting Postfix.
        #
        debugger_command =
             PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/X11R6/bin
             xxgdb $daemon_directory/$process_name $process_id & sleep 5

        # If you can't use X, use this to capture the call stack when a
        # daemon crashes. The result is in a file in the configuration
        # directory, and is named after the process name and the process ID.
        #
        # debugger_command =
        #   PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin; export PATH; (echo cont;
        #   echo where) | gdb $daemon_directory/$process_name $process_id 2>&1
        #   >$config_directory/$process_name.$process_id.log & sleep 5
        #
        # Another possibility is to run gdb under a detached screen session.
        # To attach to the screen sesssion, su root and run "screen -r
        # " where  uniquely matches one of the detached
        # sessions (from "screen -list").
        #
        # debugger_command =
        #   PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/usr/sbin; export PATH; screen
        #   -dmS $process_name gdb $daemon_directory/$process_name
        #   $process_id & sleep 1

        # INSTALL-TIME CONFIGURATION INFORMATION
        #
        # The following parameters are used when installing a new Postfix version.
        # 
        # sendmail_path: The full pathname of the Postfix sendmail command.
        # This is the Sendmail-compatible mail posting interface.
        # 
        sendmail_path = /usr/sbin/sendmail.postfix

        # newaliases_path: The full pathname of the Postfix newaliases command.
        # This is the Sendmail-compatible command to build alias databases.
        #
        newaliases_path = /usr/bin/newaliases.postfix

        # mailq_path: The full pathname of the Postfix mailq command.  This
        # is the Sendmail-compatible mail queue listing command.
        # 
        mailq_path = /usr/bin/mailq.postfix

        # setgid_group: The group for mail submission and queue management
        # commands.  This must be a group name with a numerical group ID that
        # is not shared with other accounts, not even with the Postfix account.
        #
        setgid_group = postdrop

        # html_directory: The location of the Postfix HTML documentation.
        #
        html_directory = no

        # manpage_directory: The location of the Postfix on-line manual pages.
        #
        manpage_directory = /usr/share/man

        # sample_directory: The location of the Postfix sample configuration files.
        # This parameter is obsolete as of Postfix 2.1.
        #
        sample_directory = /usr/share/doc/postfix-2.3.3/samples

        # readme_directory: The location of the Postfix README files.
        #
        readme_directory = /usr/share/doc/postfix-2.3.3/README_FILES

Thanks in advance .

  1. Connection refused error means that the port is closed (no listening service). You should make sure your postfix process is running and listening on port 25.

    You can use:

    sudo netstat -lnp | grep 25
    

    You should see postfix process listed in the output. Also, you can look at the mail.log file for better diagnostics if you can reach the server.

    EDIT:

    Postfix process should NOT be listening on local address 127.0.0.1 only. Otherwise, it will not be accessible from the network. To check this, look at postfix config for line like:

    inet_interfaces = localhost
    inet_interfaces = 127.0.0.1