E-Mail

FIM mail server: New storage locations for mails and mail filter settings from 1.7.24

On 1.7.24 between 4 and 8 p.m., the storage locations for mail directories and mail filters will be changed on the FIM mail server.  Previously, these contents were located in the FIM home directories of the users. After the changeover, this content will be stored directly on the mail server. Users will no longer be able to access them directly.

The changeover will be transparent for users of the FIM mail server, i.e. no adjustments will be required on the user side in order to continue using the FIM mail server or the FIM web mail server.

The mail server cannot be used during the changeover.

Notes on the relocation of user maildirs from July 1, 2024:

Until now, the FIM mail server used the Maildir directory in a user's FIM homedirectory to store their FIM mailboxes here. On July 1, the FIM maildirs will be copied to corresponding directories on the FIM mail server and then updated at this location. The content of the previous user maildirs will remain as it was at the time of the changeover, but will no longer be used by the FIM mail server. To indicate that the previous maildir is now without function, it is renamed "Maildir.obsolete". We recommend deleting this directory, which will no longer be required after the changeover, in the medium term, as otherwise it will only unnecessarily burden the Quta of the respective users.

Notes on the use of mail filters from July 1, 2024:

In the background, the FIM mail server uses a tool called "sieve" to enable you to use filters. Previously, the corresponding filter settings were stored in your home directory in directories and files such as "sieve" or ".dovecot.sieve". As of 1.7.24, these settings are stored directly in the file system of the mail server. Your existing mail filters are automatically migrated to the new structure. The directories and files with filter settings in your home directory will lose their function and will therefore be given the suffix ".obsolete" during the migration.

From this point on, the use of manage-sieve clients is still possible, but is no longer officially supported. Instead, please use the option to set up and manage mail filters via the GUI of the FIM web mail server.

Holders of a central FIM ID can use a FIM mail account linked to it. The central FIM mail services are primarily used for FIM-internal communication, but can also be used as full-fledged mail services. For example, you can also use the SMTP service to send mail from outside of the university network to your FIM mail address if you set the appropriate configuration settings (see below).

FIM-Mail adress

Your e-mail address at the FIM is: fimkennung@fim.uni-passau.de

fimkennung corresponds to the name of your FIM account. The password for access to the mail server is the same as the login password for the LINUX login.

You can send and receive e-mail with a variety of programs. We recommend the program "Thunderbird" in the FIM student computer pools to use the FIM mail services.

Please use alternatively the IMAP access to the FIM mail server or our webmail interface (see below).

The FIM uses the Expurgate service from provider Eleven to filter out spam mails. Mails that contain viruses are removed from circulation via appropriate virus software and are not delivered.

Important: Never reply back to the sender of an advertising mail/spam mail! This will only make your e-mail address even more valuable, because the sender will then notice that you do not simply delete advertising mail.

4.1 Access via webmail interface

Users with FIM IDs can read emails on their FIM mail account worldwide via webmail interface. This webmail interface can be found at the following Internet address:

webmail.fim.uni-passau.de

If you want to use more comfortable software for mailing instead of the webmail interface, you have to configure your mail software accordingly. The FIM mail services (IMAP, sending via SMTP) can also be used outside the FIM with the above settings.

The FIM mail server offers the possibility to forward incoming mail to other mail identifiers and to filter it. We recommend that you set up mail forwarding in such a way that incoming mail on your FIM account is forwarded to a mail account that you use regularly by default. At the same time, a copy of each incoming mail should remain on the FIM mail server for control purposes.

You can use mail filters to automatically sort incoming emails into predefined mailboxes according to certain criteria (e.g. sender, etc.). You can also program automatic processes, such as sending an out-of-office message if you are not available.

Important change in the management of mail filters from July 2024:

In the background, the FIM mail server uses a tool called "sieve" to allow you to use filters. Previously, the corresponding filter settings were stored in your home directory in directories and files such as sieve or .dovecot.sieve. From 1.7.24, these settings are stored directly in the file system of the mail server. Your existing mail filters are automatically migrated to the new structure. The filter settings in your home directory will lose their function and will therefore be given the suffix ".obsolete" during the migration.

From this point onwards please use the option to manage your filters via the GUI of the FIM webmail server.