How do I configure sendmail to relay outbound email under Linux?

  • Install prerequisite packages:
yum -y install sendmail-cf
  • Open the configuration file /etc/mail/sendmail.mc for editing
  • Locate the section below and uncomment the SMART_HOST line:
dnl # Uncomment and edit the following line if your outgoing mail needs to
dnl # be sent out through an external mail server:
dnl #
dnl define(`SMART_HOST', `smtp.your.provider')dnl
  • Configure appropriately, like below:
define(`SMART_HOST', `mail.corporatedomain.net')dnl
  • Apply the changes and refresh sendmail:
make -C /etc/mail/
service sendmail reload

2 thoughts on “How do I configure sendmail to relay outbound email under Linux?”

  1. Instructions are incomplete – seem to assume user is already familiar with VI commands, like how to switch to insert mode, how to save, how to exit. Please include steps for switching from Command to Insert mode (a or i), how to switch back to Command mode after editing (Esc), how to save file (:w), and how to exit (:q)

  2. John,

    Thanks for the comment and tips on using vi! Folks are free to use whichever text editor they prefer to edit the file, and we don’t wish to clutter up the guide with editor-specific instructions that are outside the scope of the question. Both console (ie vi) or GUI (ie gedit) will work, although vi tends to be the editor of choice, and there are many tutorials available on the Internet.

    Regards,

    Oliver

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