Working with Self-Hosting Email

1. What should someone consider when choosing an email hosting provider?

• It's probably going to be a central part of infrastructure, so keep that in mind. You'll use it for a long time.
• Features you need. Maybe you need to share your calendar, for example.
• Interoperability and vendor lock-in. You can move on if you want to.

2. What are the benefits of self-hosting over using a service like Gmail?

• One word: Control. You maintain control over your solution.
• If you self-host, you have more control over the product.

3. As a hosting provider, what are some of the pitfalls of hosting email?

• Reputation management. Other services that receive email have to fight a lot of spam.
• Track the reputation of domains and IP addresses.
• Properly configure domains for MX records.

4. Are there any common ways email hosting is misconfigured?

• Set up SPF, DKIM, DMARK.
  • SPF makes sure email is coming from a verifies recipient (DNS).
  • DKIM: Domain Keys Identified Mail. Essentially a signature (Mail Server).
  • DMARK: Ties SPF and DKIM together by publishing policy and protocol. (DNS Record).
• What features in Plesk help with email hosting?
  • SPF, DMARK, DKIM are built-in.
  • Other UIs for important measures like rate and message size limits.
  • Email Security extension with anti-spam.