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Tutorials


Help, configuration and tips.

Tutorial: Configuring Your Mail Client
This page explains how to set up your mail client and so ensuring you have access to your mails and also have the ability to send email.


Accessing Mails by POP3 or IMAP4
When accessing your mail with an email client, there are usually several methods from which to choose from. Ability Mail Server supports both POP3 and IMAP4, which are the standard methods of access which all good email clients support. The best method for you depends on your needs and how you intend to access your account. The easiest way to decide is to ask yourself: "Will I by accessing my mail from multiple computers?" If the answer is no then most likely POP3 will be fine. However, if the answer is yes, IMAP4 may be the wiser choice. POP3 is only designed to allow simple and quick access to an account by quickly downloading and deleting the new emails. This is ideal for single computer access and also if the connection between the client and server may be slow (ie. 56K modem). IMAP4 is designed to keep the mails on the server and so all computers logging into the same account remain synchronized. IMAP4 also supports folders and state flags, such as the 'Read' status of a mail, and so ensuring that all computers will share the same folders and will also be aware that a mail as been read or even replied to.


Creating an Account in Your Mail Client
Most mail clients are designed for access to multiple accounts and/or multiple mail servers. So before you can access your mail you will need to create a new account in the client. The first step in creating the new account involves choosing the method of access, which is usually POP3 or IMAP4. The next step then involves entering the following information...

  • Your Email Address - This should be exactly the same as the email address used by the account on the mail server.
  • Your Name - This can be anything you choose.
  • User Login or User Name - This must be the User/Login information for the account on the mail server.
  • Password - This is the password for the account on the mail server.
  • Incoming Mail Server or POP3 Server or IMAP4 Server - This is usually the host address of the mail server and can be any domain or computer name which converts to the IP address of the server, or the server's IP address directly. If you have set 'Listen Only on IP' then you will need to enter the same IP here.
  • Outgoing Mail Server or SMTP Server - If you wish to use Ability Mail Server to act has your Outgoing Mail server then this is usually the same as above. However, if you have set 'Listen Only on IP' for the Outgoing SMTP then you will need to enter the same IP here.

Outgoing Mails and SMTP Authentication
If you have enabled SMTP Authentication in the SMTP Access Control then you will also need to set your mail client to 'log in' to the SMTP. If you fail to configure this correctly then often you will receive '530 Account does not exist.' error message when trying to send mail. This setting is usually located along with the 'Outgoing Mail Server' options. If you enabled 'Allow Any Accounts Login Details' for the 'SMTP Authentication' setting then it should be sufficient to use the same login details as the 'Incoming Mail Server'. If you are using Outlook then the SMTP Authentication options are usually located in the 'More Settings...' dialog under the Outgoing Server tab.