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    PostFix Forwarder Package

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved pfSense Packages
    10 Posts 4 Posters 2.9k Views
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    • S
      SueBee
      last edited by

      Hello all,

      I have the NetGate appliance with latest version of pfSense installed on it.
      How do I get the PostFix Forwarder package as it is not listed.

      My scenario is that I have pfSense on my Local network connected to my ISP, which blocks SMTP etc etc
      I have setup another pfSense appliance in the cloud and running site to site OpenVPN between them, and traffic works fine.

      I need to install a PostFix Forwarder package on my Cloud appliance so it can sit at front, do all mail relay, anti spam, anti virus.

      Any help on where I can get a fully working version of this package, which will work properly. I don't know why it has been removed from package list.

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      • jimpJ
        jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
        last edited by

        The package is not supported and is dangerous to run on a firewall. Use a dedicated mail appliance to handle mail processing, don't use a firewall for that task.

        Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

        Need help fast? Netgate Global Support!

        Do not Chat/PM for help!

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        • S
          SueBee
          last edited by

          Why would it be dangerous?

          Hmm.. , but that would imply setting up another cloud appliance for SMTP and that costs.

          OR I can setup routing on the pfSense to route packets to SMTP on my LAN and have outbound routing for that SMTP server to NAT it's traffic out through pfSense in cloud?

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          • jimpJ
            jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
            last edited by

            It's dangerous because MTAs, especially ones with spam filtering capabilities, have a ton of moving parts and need constant upkeep for security issues. It massively increases the attack surface of a firewall and introduces several new potential attack vectors that could compromise the firewall. As opposed to only compromising the mail server.

            You could use pfSense to NAT/redirect traffic however you like if you already have a local SMTP box.

            Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

            Need help fast? Netgate Global Support!

            Do not Chat/PM for help!

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            • S
              SueBee
              last edited by

              Thanks Jimp :)
              Yes, that does make sense. Ok.

              So can you redirect me to a thread or knowledgeable, or maybe you can help me right here with the following:

              How do I tell my local LAN SMTP service to to send all outbound traffic via the OpenVpn tunnel from my local pfSense such that it uses the pfSense in the cloud as gateway and takes its IP? I want to make sure the HELO and EHLO return the correct IP, and that my local SMTP can talk outbound via the cloud pfSense, as my ISP won't let me directly talk outbound on 25.

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              • GertjanG
                Gertjan
                last edited by

                Why a "local LAN smtp service" ?
                I agree with what was said above : a mail server and all what is needed to receive (rather easy) and send (complicated) is a huge setup.
                So, a basic rule is : keep it simple, or, using other words : put postfix, amavis, spamassasin, dkim, dmarc, spf checking, pop and imap stuff on a dedicates server (a small VPS will do just fine). My mail clients are communicating with this "mail server" using ssl all over the place. No "port 25 issue" (most of the ISP's block port 25 these days) and IP versus reverse (MX) is fine.
                Security, fine tuning, log inspection, etc is a nearly daily job when running a mail server, so I advise you NOT to use a special setup.
                Mail servers, like web servers, you should run them for fun ones at home. Just ones. But really, you don't want to if you do not have the right equipment and Internet connection.

                No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                Edit : and where are the logs ??

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                • S
                  SueBee
                  last edited by

                  Thanks for that advise,

                  But I do have the right equipment and bandwidth. That is not the problem. I don't feel like paying an ISP for business version with 70% more co$ts.

                  So, if we can stick to my original question:

                  How do I get my local SMTP service (PostFix on Debian) to make sure its outbound path is set to use OVPN tunnel.

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                  • DerelictD
                    Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
                    last edited by

                    Policy route it.

                    Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
                    A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
                    DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
                    Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

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                    • S
                      SueBee
                      last edited by

                      @Derelict:

                      Policy route it.

                      Ok, that seems like possible. How do I do this? When I add the Firewall rule, I don't see my OpenVpn outbound as one of the Gateways?
                      Do I add that in GW interfaces?

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                      • S
                        SueBee
                        last edited by

                        Ok, I figured it out. Had to do some Network Address Translations, between both subnets.

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