📦 Installation Command
apt install dovecot-core dovecot-imapd dovecot-pop3d dovecot-lmtpd
Dovecot IMAP/POP3 Ports & Configuration
dovecot systemctl: dovecotIMAP and POP3 server for email retrieval. Handles mailbox storage and user authentication.
🔌 Default Ports
143
tcp
IMAP
993
tcp
IMAPS
110
tcp
POP3
995
tcp
POP3S
24
tcp
LMTP
⚙️ Configuration Files
/etc/dovecot/dovecot.conf/etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-mail.conf/etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-auth.conf/etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-ssl.conf/etc/dovecot/conf.d/10-master.conf
📂 Default Directories
- config:
/etc/dovecot - data:
/var/mail - logs:
/var/log/dovecot.log - ssl:
/etc/dovecot/private
🔐 Default Credentials
Username:N/A (system users)
Password:N/A (PAM auth)
💡 Uses PAM by default. Can use SQL/LDAP for virtual users.
📌 Dependencies
⚠️ Conflicts
✅ Works With
🛡️ Security Notes
Enable SSL/TLS, disable plaintext auth on non-SSL, use strong auth mechanisms, configure proper mailbox permissions
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What ports does Dovecot use?
Dovecot uses IMAP port 143 (993 SSL) and POP3 port 110 (995 SSL).
IMAP vs POP3 which to use?
IMAP syncs across devices and keeps mail on server. POP3 downloads and typically deletes from server.
Where is Dovecot config?
Main config at /etc/dovecot/dovecot.conf with additional configs in conf.d/.