How to configure sendmail as Thunderbird SMTP server?
I used to have an account at a provider who gave me Linux shell access. They sent me step-by-step instructions to configure Thunderbird. The process was painless: they did all the work on the server side and I did mine on the client side. Unfortunately, that company went out of business and I now have to configure both sides. The IMAP service is fine, I am using dovecot.
See attached error message, which is too vague. I can track down/debug what is going on in Linux, is there any way to see the details of the attempted connection on the Thunderbird side? This would be a terrific feature!
Another potential solution is to get a new Linux account at some provider that knows their trade better than Yours Truly, so I can take a peek at their configuration files.
Could you recommend one?
TIA
Modified by Ramon F Herrera
All Replies (6)
You don't need to configure a SMTP server specifically for Thunderbird. It's the other way round, you configure the server the way you want, and then set up Thunderbird with protocol, port, security, and authentication to match what has been configured on the server. There are probably other SMTP implementations than sendmail which are easier to set up, e.g. Postfix. And I'm certain you'll find plenty of instructions for sendmail if you search for them. Google is your friend.
is there any way to see the details of the attempted connection on the Thunderbird side?
Modified by christ1
christ1 wrote:
"You don't need to configure a SMTP server specifically for Thunderbird."
I guess I did not explain myself clearly. I am not looking for some specific configuration for Thunderbird. I am looking for any configuration that makes the sendmail-Tbird pair work at all. I have tried every single combination on both sides.
"you'll find plenty of instructions for sendmail if you search for them."
That's part of the problem. I have years of [interrupted, non-continuous] experience with sendmail and still can get confusing. There are too many instructions out there. For older and newer versions. There are pages and pages, when all I need is a few lines. The authors of those instructions may have solved my problem (somewhere) but they may not know that Thunderbird exists, they don't care about Thunderbird.
That is the reason, after a long search, that I decided: "I should look for help in a place where they care about Thunderbird" and registered here.
Modified by Ramon F Herrera
christ1: In reference to your kind tips:
The Session Logging for Mail seems terrific. Will work with it.
Postfix: I have too much invested in sendmail and it is really close from working to my entire satisfaction. All I need is the "Send" button to work.
you can also try incoming port 25 or 495 or 475 for mail with tls start password and username filled in and also an outgoing port start tls as well. Usually thunderbird finds those automatically but you can also configure them manually. you can also find suitable mail ports if you search for these configurations. Good luck.
I am looking for any configuration that makes the sendmail-Tbird pair work at all.
Thunderbird works with what you set for the server.
You may have better luck asking in a forum for sendmail.
Thunderbird Version 45.4.0 Sendmail 8.14.4
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I believe I figured out how to solve this vexing problem and will add tips to this thread, for the benefit of future searchers.
Tip Number 1. Begin by using the following configuration in the Thunderbird side. It is the one that requires less effort:
Connection Security: SSL/TLS That will automatically select Port 465
Interestingly, all 6 Authentication Methods will work, regardless of whether you have any Authentication Method in the Linux/sendmail side:
No Authentication Normal password Encrypted password Kerberos/GSSAPI NTLM OAuth2
Additionally, the username shown in the image is not used at all. You can type anything there, even erase the string.
The bad news is that the Thunderbird-Sendmail duet is broken. The good news is that you will have a configuration that allows you to send mail from Thunderbird, while you work on something more appropriate.
The recommended configuration is STARTTLS/587, BTW.
