Mail Gateway

The mail gateway is a machine that handles connections between networks that run different communications protocols or communications between different networks that use the same protocol. For example, a mail gateway might connect a TCP/IP network to a network that runs the Systems Network Architecture (SNA) protocol suite.

The simplest mail gateway to set up is one that connects two networks that use the same protocol or mailer. This system handles mail with an address for which sendmail cannot find a recipient in your domain. If a mail gateway exists, sendmail uses it for sending and receiving mail outside your domain.

You can set up a mail gateway between two networks that use unmatched mailers, as shown in the next figure. To support this configuration, you must customize the sendmail.cf file on the mail gateway system, which can be a difficult and time-consuming process.

Figure 26–1 Gateway Between Different Communications Protocols

If you have to set up a mail gateway, you should find a gateway configuration file that is close to what you need and modify it to conform to your situation.

If you have a machine that provides connections to the Internet, you can configure that machine as the mail gateway. Carefully consider your site's security needs before you configure a mail gateway. You might need to create a firewall gateway between your corporate network and the outside world, and set up that gateway as the mail gateway. For task information, refer to How to Set Up a Mail Gateway in Chapter 25, Mail Services (Tasks).