Server with virtual multi-domain support

This document explains, howto setup a server to serve as HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP3 and IMAP-Server which can be controlled via HTTP & MySQL and used via webmail.

1.2. What you need

The following software will be needed:

gcc
Postfix as SMTP-Server
Apache as Web-Server
Dovecot as POP3 & IMAP-Server
Pure-FTPD as FTP-Server
MySQL for configuration
CCC for control (Corvus ControlCenter)
Roundcube for Webmail
PHP

1.3. General information

This How-To is written in september 2006, so some configuration may be too old to work. Try to use google if you have questions.

If you're using systems like Debian, SuSE or similar don't jump over the installation chapter, some programs have to be compiled even if you have the packages installed!

May the success be with you!

Chapter 2. Software installation

2.1. Dependecies

Here a little list of programs you need to continue this howto:

gcc, gcc-c++, libgcc
optional: OpenSSL

2.2. Installing as packages

If you're using systems like debian or SuSE linux, you may get some of the software as packages. Try to install the following packages if availabe:

MySQL (>= 4.1), MySQL-devel, MySQL-client
apache2, apache2-mod_php5
if you can't find apache2-mod_php5 try apache2-mod_php4 or install php5 or php4 if available
php5-mysql
pure-ftpd
postfix, postfix-mysql
dovecot (>= 1.0)
Important: install dovecot package only if it's version 1.0 or higher

2.3. Install from sources

Make sure compilation software is installed and then go on. Every step contains compilation information.

Chapter 3. MySQL

3.1. Installation

You need MySQL installed on your machine. If you need instructions click here: http://www.google.com/search?q=mysql+howto

If you don't want your software to use root mysql access just create a new user which has access to one database you want to use. In this howto we use a database called 'ccc'. Here the struct of the database:

CREATE TABLE `domains` (
  `domain` varchar(255) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  `path` varchar(255) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  UNIQUE KEY `domain` (`domain`)
);

CREATE TABLE `emails` (
  `id` int(10) NOT NULL auto_increment,
  `account` varchar(255) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  `domain` varchar(255) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  `password` varchar(32) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  `quota` int(10) NOT NULL default '0',
  `alias` int(10) NOT NULL default '0',
  UNIQUE KEY `id` (`id`)
);

CREATE TABLE `ftp` (
  `name` varchar(50) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  `password` varchar(32) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  `homedir` varchar(255) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  UNIQUE KEY `name` (`name`)
);

CREATE TABLE `kunden` (
  `id` int(5) NOT NULL auto_increment,
  `nick` varchar(50) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  `pass` varchar(32) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  UNIQUE KEY `id` (`id`,`nick`)
);

CREATE TABLE `subdomains` (
  `name` varchar(255) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  `domain` varchar(255) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL,
  `path` varchar(255) collate utf8_bin NOT NULL
);

Now we have to one user to the table "kunden":

INSERT INTO TABLE `kunden` (`nick`, `pass`) VALUES ('Admin', MD5('yourpassword'));

You have configured MySQL!

Chapter 4. Apache2

4.1. Installation

First install apache via package or get it from http://httpd.apache.org. As always our friend google can help us with installation!

Notice: If you have to compile it yourself remember to compile it with mysql and php support (and install PHP first!)

4.2. Configuration

Usually you can find the httpd.conf within /etc/apache2/. If it is not there, try to search it (with grep... man grep if you don't know how).

Apache will be configured OK by default. Additional configuration for virtual domains will be done by CCC.

Chapter 5. Pure-FTPd

5.1. Installation

Install the package pure-ftpd or get it from the internet: http://www.pureftpd.org

5.2. Configuration

5.2.1. Main Configuration

You should find the config file pure-ftpd.conf within the folder /etc/pure-ftpd/

Set the following directives:

ChrootEveryone yes
TrustedGID no
AnonymousOnly no
NoAnonymous yes
MySQLConfigFile /etc/pure-ftpd/pureftpd-mysql.conf
AutoRename no #this is not needed but if it's set to yes you can't overwrite files

Caution: these were only settings you should change or test, many other settings are needed, too, but aren't listed because they should influence this howto!

5.2.2. Configure Pure-FTPd for MySQL

Now create the file /etc/pure-ftpd/pureftpd-mysql.conf:

#MYSQLPort       3306
MYSQLSocket     /var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock
MYSQLUser       mysqluser
MYSQLPassword   mysqlpassword
MYSQLDatabase   ccc
MYSQLCrypt      md5
MYSQLGetPW      SELECT password FROM ftp WHERE name = "\L"
MYSQLGetUID     SELECT 1001
MYSQLGetGID     SELECT 100
MYSQLGetDir     SELECT homedir FROM ftp WHERE name = "\L"

Notice: don't forget to insert YOUR mysqluser and mysqlpassword!

5.2.3. Reload Pure-FTPd configuration

/etc/init.d/pure-ftpd reload

Maybe you want to check the log files (/var/log/messages in common) for possible errors!

Chapter 6. Postfix

6.1. Installation

Even if you have installed the package you may need the source code. In SuSE 10.1 for example you get only Postfix 2.2 via yast, but you need Postfix 2.3 or higher.

So go to http://www.postfix.org/download.html and get the version you want (but 2.3 or higher!).

6.1.1. Compiling postfix

wget ftp://ftp.fu-berlin.de/unix/mail/postfix/official/postfix-2.3.3.tar.gz
tar xfz postfix-2.3.3.tar.gz
cd postfix-2.3.3/
make -f Makefile.init makefiles \
    'CCARGS=-DHAS_MYSQL -DUSE_SASL_AUTH -DUSE_TLS -DDEF_SERVER_SASL_TYPE=\"dovecot\" -I/usr/include/mysql' \
    'AUXLIBS=-lmysqlclient -lssl -lcrypto -lz -lm'
make upgrade

Notice: this configures postfix to use Dovecot SASL, MySQL and OpenSSL. If you want more or less compatability visit postfix.org for more information!

Notice: This may need Berkeley devel packages or source code (db...-devel) and/or OpenSSL stuff to work

6.2. Configuration

6.2.1. main.cf

You should find the configuration files in /etc/postfix.

Open main.cf and configure postfix as you wish - then add the following lines to the end of the file:

home_mailbox = Maildir/

smtpd_helo_required = yes
smtpd_recipient_restrictions = permit_mynetworks permit_sasl_authenticated reject_unauth_destination
smtpd_sasl_auth_enable = yes
smtpd_sasl_type = dovecot
smtpd_sasl_path = private/auth

virtual_mailbox_domains = mysql:/etc/postfix/mysql/domains.cfg
virtual_mailbox_base = /var/mail
virtual_mailbox_maps = mysql:/etc/postfix/mysql/mboxes.cfg
virtual_alias_maps = mysql:/etc/postfix/mysql/aliases.cfg
virtual_uid_maps = static:5000
virtual_gid_maps = static:5000
virtual_transport = virtual

#TLS Support, if you don't want to use TLS just comment the following
#lines out. This config is taken from another howto.
smtpd_use_tls = yes
smtpd_tls_auth_only = no
smtpd_tls_key_file = /usr/share/ssl/s/PrivateKey.pem
smtpd_tls_cert_file = /usr/share/ssl/s/Cert.pem
smtpd_tls_CAfile = /usr/share/ssl/s/demoCA/cacert.pem 

smtpd_tls_loglevel = 1
smtpd_tls_received_header = yes
smtpd_tls_session_cache_timeout = 3600s
tls_random_source = dev:/dev/urandom

Notice: the paths in this file (except /dev/urandom) are chosen by the author, you may change them if you like

Notice: TLS is preconfigured with help from another howto. You may find some on postfix.org

Notice: The line "home_mailbox = Maildir/" says that postfix should use a mailbox instead of a single file for each user, if you want to use single files then you have to change some of the dovecot configuration later on!

6.2.2. Configure domain lookup (mysql/domains.cfg)

Create the file you gave postfix as virtual_mailbox_domains (here: /etc/postfix/mysql/domains.cfg):

user = mysqluser
password = mysqlpassword
dbname = ccc
query = SELECT domain FROM domains WHERE domain = '%s'
hosts = localhost

Notice: remember to add YOUR mysql user information and not "mysqluser" and "mysqlpassword"

6.2.3. Configure mailbox maps (mysql/mboxes.cfg)

Create the file you gave postfix as virtual_mailbox_domains (here: /etc/postfix/mysql/domains.cfg):

user = mysqluser
password = mysqlpassword
dbname = ccc
query = SELECT concat(domain, '/', account, '/') FROM emails WHERE account = '%u' AND domain = '%d' AND alias = 0
hosts = localhost

Notice: remember to add YOUR mysql user information and not "mysqluser" and "mysqlpassword"

Notice: This says postfix to create the mailbox in /your/mail/base/example.com/username/ (for example: /var/mail/postfix.org/info/ for info@postfix.org)

6.2.4. Configuring alias maps (mysql/aliases.cfg)

Create the file you gave postfix as virtual_mailbox_domains (here: /etc/postfix/mysql/domains.cfg):

user = mysqluser
password = mysqlpassword
dbname = ccc
query = SELECT concat(e2.account, '@', e2.domain) FROM emails as e1, emails as e2
 WHERE e1.account = '%u' AND e1.domain = '%d' AND e1.alias > 0 AND e1.alias = e2.id
hosts = localhost

Notice: remember to add YOUR mysql user information and not "mysqluser" and "mysqlpassword"

Chapter 7. Dovecot

7.1. Installation

Install per package, but be careful, you need version 1.0 or higher! Very important! If you need the source go to http://www.dovecot.org/download.html

7.2. Main Configuration

You can find the config file dovecot.conf in /etc or in /usr/local/etc. Open it and make sure the following settings are set:

protocols = imap imaps pop3 pop3s # only set the services you want - the s stands for secure (ssl)
disable_plaintext_auth = no

#ssl:
ssl_disable = no
ssl_cert_file = /usr/share/ssl/s/Cert.pem
ssl_key_file = /usr/share/ssl/s/PrivateKey.pem

default_mail_env = maildir:/var/mail/%d/%n/
protocol pop3
{
    pop3_uidl_format = %v.%u
}

auth default
{
    mechanisms = plain login cram-md5 digest-md5

    passdb sql
    {
        args = /usr/local/etc/dovecot-sql.conf
    }

    userdb static
    {
        args = uid=5000 gid=5000 home=/var/mail/%d/%n
    }

    socket listen
    {
        client
        {
            user = postfix
            group = postfix
            path = /var/spool/postfix/private/auth
            mode = 0660
        }
    }
}

Notice: ensure that /var/spool/postfix is the path to your postfix runtime files

Notice: the mechanisms list may of course content less entries

Notice: Remember previous notice: if you don't like to use Maildir/ change here too!

7.3. MySQL configuration

Now you have to change the file you gave as argument above (here: /usr/local/etc/dovecot-sql.conf). Open or create it and insert following content:

driver = mysql
connect = host=/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock user=mysqluser password=mysqlpassword dbname=ccc
default_pass_scheme = PLAIN
password_query = SELECT password FROM emails WHERE account = '%n' AND domain = '%d' AND alias = 0

Notice: don't forget to change the mysql access information to fit your environment.

Notice: if you don't have a sock or don't want to use it you can set host to your mysqlhost (for example localhost)

7.4. Creating mail owning user

You need to have a user owning /var/mail (or your mailbox base) with user id 5000 and group id 5000 - alternatively change uid and gid above and very much above in the postfix main configuration section.

groupadd -g 5000 mailowner
useradd -g 5000 -u 5000 -d /var/mail -p somesecretpassword -s /bin/false mailowner
chown -R mailowner:mailowner /var/mail

Notice: this user has no console (/bin/false) so there's no security danger - you don't have to set a password for it, but secure is secure ;-)

Chapter 8. Roundcube

8.1. Installation

Get roundcube from http://roundcube.net/ and extract it to your htdocs root directory (common: /srv/www/htdocs):

wget http://puzzle.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/roundcubemail/roundcubemail-0.1beta2.tar.gz
tar xfz roundcubemail-0.1beta2.tar.gz
cd roundcube/
cd config/
cp db.inc.php.dist db.inc.php
cp main.inc.php.dist main.inc.php

Notice: you should create a new mysql database for the personal settings of your future users. See INSTALL for more informations.

8.2. Configuration

8.2.1. Main configuration

Change these settings in config/main.inc.php:

$rcmail_config['smtp_server'] = 'localhost';

8.2.2. Database configuration

Make sure you've installed the MySQL databse and tables for roundcube. Instructions are in the INSTALL file.

Change these settings in config/db.inc.php:

$rcmail_config['db_dsnw'] = 'mysql://mysqluser:mysqlpassword@localhost/roundcube';

8.2.3. Optional Patchwork

If you want, you can patch roundcube a bit so that your users can change their password in their user preferences. To do so edit the following two files:

First, open 'roundcube/program/steps/settings/func.inc' and search for 'function rcmail_user_prefs_form', then scroll down to the end of this function and add the following code before ' $out .= "\n</table>$form_end";'

// CCC addition
  // show password form
  $field_id = 'rcmfd_password';
  $input_password = new textfield(array('name' => '_password', 'id' => $field_id, 'size' => 20));

  $out .= sprintf("<tr><td class=\"title\"><label for=\"%s\">%s</label></td><td>%s (empty = unchanged)</td></tr>\n",
                  $field_id,
                  rep_specialchars_output(rcube_label('password')),
                  $input_password->show($CONFIG['password']));
// end CCC addition

Then open 'roundcube/program/steps/settings/save_prefs.inc' and insert the following after the line "$a_user_prefs['prefer_html'] = isset($_POST['_prefer_html']) ? TRUE : FALSE;":

// CCC addition
if ($_POST['_password'] != "")
{
    mysql_query("UPDATE ccc.emails SET password = '".$_POST['_password']."' WHERE concat(account, '@', domain) = '".$_SESSION['username']."'")
        or die(mysql_error());
    $_SESSION['password'] = encrypt_passwd($_POST['_password']);
}
// end of CCC addition

Notice: change ccc.emails to yourdatabase.emails if needed!

Notice: the roundcubemail mysql user needs update permissions for the email table!

Chapter 9. CCC

9.1. Installation

Get CCC from http://www.corvusmedia.de and extract it, start the setup and follow the instructions:

tar xfz ccc-beta0.4.1-XXX-bin.tar.gz
cd ccc-beta0.4.1
./CCC --setup

Notice: CCC is currently in public beta state.

Warning: you should never install ccc within your DocumentRoot!

9.2. Configuration

9.2.1. Main configuration

Go to /srv/ccc (or the path you typed above) and open configs/ccc.cfg:

InstallDir /srv/ccc/
TmpDir /srv/ccc/sessions/
ApacheConf /etc/apache2/

Notice: be sure every path is correct!

Notice: The TmpDir contains session data (similar to php) - make sure you have write access

9.2.2. Database configuration

Go to configs/mysql.cfg now:

host:localhost
user:mysqluser
password:mysqlpassword
auto-connect:true
database:ccc

Notice: don't forget to use YOUR mysql access data

9.2.3. Apache configuration

Now go back to your httpd.conf which should be located at /etc/apache2. Add the following line to the end of the file:

Include /srv/ccc/configs/apache.cfg

Notice: make sure the path is correct

9.2.4. Start automatic apache sub-configuration

Sound spacy but I just want you to run CCC once so it can configurate apache to enable the web-access to CCC:

cd /srv/ccc
./CCC --init

Notice: If there's any error, try to follow the instructions and repair it. Repeat this step until you get the message "Initialisation completed!"

9.2.5. Automatically reload apache

Now you should create a cronjob which reloads the apache config every 2 minutes so your changes will have effect.

Therefore edit /etc/crontab and add

*/2 * * * * root /path/to/ccc/docron >/dev/null 2>&1

Notice: There are alternative ways, too, like mod_vhost_mysql for apache which allows dynamic vhost lookups against mysql, but I think it's better to reload apache every two minutes instead of do one mysql lookup per apache request (so for each element on every webpages - every image, stylesheet etc. will need an own mysql lookup)

Chapter 10. Testing

10.1. Restarting

Now you've finished everything. Lean back and hope that it works. Most times it doesn't, but don't worry and don't give up. Google, mailing list, boards, etc. will help you out.

To test if everything works we start with (re)starting everything:

/etc/init.d/mysql restart
/etc/init.d/apache2 restart
/etc/init.d/postfix restart
/etc/init.d/dovecot restart
/etc/init.d/pure-ftpd restart

Notice: if you're using pure-ftpd as part of (x)inetd you have to restart (x)inetd instead of pure-ftpd

Next we can test around:

Notice: the prefix # means a comment so just ignore if you like

Notice: the prefix $ means that the following is a command you should execute, everything else is output of the tested program or comment

Notice: If you're in a telnet session and want to quit it instantly just type CTRL-[+] (not the plus on numblock)

10.2. Testing MySQL

#testing mysql
$ mysql -umysqluser -pmysqlpassword -Dccc
Welcome to the MySQL monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 888 to server version: 4.1.13

Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the buffer.

mysql> SELECT * FROM emails;
Empty set (0.00 sec)

mysql> QUIT
Bye


#ok mysql works

10.3. Testing Apache2

#testing apache2
$ wget localhost
--03:42:48--  http://localhost/
           => `index.html'
Auflösen des Hostnamen »localhost«.... 127.0.0.1, ::1
Verbindungsaufbau zu localhost|127.0.0.1|:80... verbunden.
HTTP Anforderung gesendet, warte auf Antwort... 200 OK
Länge: 288 [text/html]

100%[====================================>] 288           --.--K/s

03:42:48 (54.93 MB/s) - »index.html« gespeichert [288/288]


#ok apache works

10.4. Testing Postfix

#testing postfix
$ telnet localhost 25
Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost.
Escape character is '^]'.
220 static.88-198-7-146.your-server.de ESMTP Postfix (2.3.3)
HELO host
250 static.88-198-7-146.your-server.de
MAIL FROM: root
250 2.1.0 Ok
RCPT TO: <someaddress@thatyouown.tld>
250 2.1.5 Ok
DATA
354 End data with <CR><LF>.<CR><LF>
Subject: Test-Mail
From: Tester

Test-data
.
250 2.0.0 Ok: queued as 27929ED806B
QUIT
221 2.0.0 Bye
Connection closed by foreign host.


#ok postfix is online

Notice: check now if the mail arrived - if so, part 1 is accomplished. If not, check /var/log/mail for more information.

10.5. Testing Pure-FTPd

#testing pure-ftpd
$ telnet localhost 21
Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost.
Escape character is '^]'.
220-Welcome to Pure-FTPd.
220-You are user number 1 of 10 allowed.
220-This is a private system - No anonymous login
220-IPv6 connections are also welcome on this server.
220 You will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity.
QUIT
221-Goodbye. You uploaded 0 and downloaded 0 kbytes.
221 Logout.
Connection closed by foreign host.

#ok pure-ftpd is online

10.6. Testing Dovecot

#testing dovecot
$ telnet localhost 143
Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost.
Escape character is '^]'.
* OK Dovecot ready.
^]
telnet> quit
Connection closed.

$ telnet localhost 110
Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost.
Escape character is '^]'.
+OK Dovecot ready.
CAPA
+OK
CAPA
TOP
UIDL
RESP-CODES
PIPELINING
STLS
USER
SASL PLAIN LOGIN CRAM-MD5 DIGEST-MD5
.
QUIT
+OK Logging out
Connection closed by foreign host.

#ok dovecot runs

10.7. Testing CCC

#testing ccc
$ wget localhost/ccc/ccc.cgi
--03:45:54--  http://localhost/ccc/ccc.cgi
           => `ccc.cgi.1'
Auflösen des Hostnamen »localhost«.... 127.0.0.1, ::1
Verbindungsaufbau zu localhost|127.0.0.1|:80... verbunden.
HTTP Anforderung gesendet, warte auf Antwort... 200 OK
Länge: nicht spezifiziert [text/html]

    [ <=>                                 ] 721           --.--K/s

03:45:54 (62.51 MB/s) - »ccc.cgi« gespeichert [721]

#ok ccc works so far

10.8. Testing Apache2 & CCC, part 2

Open a browser and surf to your IP-Adress or hostname, check if it works. Then surf to http://youraddress/ccc/ccc.cgi and login with the user we added in chapter 3 section 2. Then create some subdomains and for example an email-address info@example.com which is no alias and has the passwort "testing" without the quotes (of course).

Additionally add some FTP user, let's call him info@example.com, too. Take the same password.

10.9. Testing Pure-FTPd, part 2

$ ftp localhost
Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost.
220-Welcome to Pure-FTPd.
220-You are user number 1 of 10 allowed.
220-This is a private system - No anonymous login
220-IPv6 connections are also welcome on this server.
220 You will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Name (localhost:root): info@example.com
331 User info@example.com OK. Password required
Password:testing
230-User info@example.com has group access to:  users
230 OK. Current restricted directory is /
Remote system type is UNIX.
Using binary mode to transfer files.
ftp> quit
221-Goodbye. You uploaded 0 and downloaded 0 kbytes.
221 Logout.

10.10. Testing Postfix, part 2

You should run this test from a remote machine:

$ telnet youradress 25
Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost.
Escape character is '^]'.
220 static.88-198-7-146.your-server.de ESMTP Postfix (2.3.3)
EHLO myhost
250-static.88-198-7-146.your-server.de
250-PIPELINING
250-SIZE 10240000
250-VRFY
250-ETRN
250-STARTTLS
250-AUTH PLAIN LOGIN CRAM-MD5 DIGEST-MD5
250-AUTH=PLAIN LOGIN CRAM-MD5 DIGEST-MD5
250-ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES
250-8BITMIME
250 DSN
AUTH LOGIN
ZW1tZXJhbkBjb3J2dXNtZWRpYS5kZQ==
TmlyaHRhaw==334 VXNlcm5hbWU6
334 UGFzc3dvcmQ6
MAIL FROM: <info@example.com>
535 5.7.0 Error: authentication failed: Invalid base64 data in continued response
QUIT
221 2.0.0 Bye
Connection closed by foreign host.
suse10064lamp:/srv/ccc # telnet localhost 25
Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost.
Escape character is '^]'.
220 static.88-198-7-146.your-server.de ESMTP Postfix (2.3.3)
EHLO myhost
250-static.88-198-7-146.your-server.de
250-PIPELINING
250-SIZE 10240000
250-VRFY
250-ETRN
250-STARTTLS
250-AUTH PLAIN LOGIN CRAM-MD5 DIGEST-MD5
250-AUTH=PLAIN LOGIN CRAM-MD5 DIGEST-MD5
250-ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES
250-8BITMIME
250 DSN
AUTH LOGIN
334 VXNlcm5hbWU6
aW5mb0BleGFtcGxlLmNvbQ==
334 UGFzc3dvcmQ6
dGVzdGluZw==
235 2.0.0 Authentication successful
MAIL FROM: <info@example.com>
250 2.1.0 Ok
RCPT TO: <someaddress@thatyouown.tld>
250 2.1.5 Ok
DATA
354 End data with <CR><LF>.<CR><LF>
Subject: Testmail
From: Tester

Test-info, part2
.
250 2.0.0 Ok: queued as 7A3BDED806B
QUIT
221 2.0.0 Bye
Connection closed by foreign host.

Notice: You can run this test with MS Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird, too, if you like

Notice: We recommend to test this with wrong auth data, too, to check if it really works

10.11. Testing roundcube & dovecot (part 2)

To test those two programs just take a browser and open http://youradress/roundcube/. Then try to login with the mail user you created above (info@example.com)

You'll see if it works.

Chapter 11. Epiloque

Congratulations, now you have a virtual multi domain server. You're welcome to send any feedback to emmeran@corvusmedia.de

If you have problem, please try to search the internet. I'm sure you find a solution.

If you can't find a solution, feel free to go to http://forum.corvusmedia.de/ and create there !after searching the forum! a new thread so maybe I can help you.

Have fun with your server and go to bed somewhen ;-)

Emmeran Sollner

Chapter 12. Troubleshooting

12.1. Known issues

12.1.1. dovecot: MySQL connection failed: Access denied

Under special circumstances dovecot gets an Access Denied error from MySQL allthough all MySQL auth information is correct. To solve this problem you have to change the encryption of the passwort in the mysql database. Therefore execute this query:

SET PASSWORD FOR 'some_user'@'some_host' = OLD_PASSWORD('mypass');