Setting up a POP server under IRIX 6.2

What is a POP server ?

A POP server is a telnet like program that resides in a computer you designate as an SMTP mail server. SMTP mail clients on the network talk to the POP deamon in order to retrieve mail for a given user.

There are two kinds of POP protocols in use at this time. POP2 and POP3.

Where do I get the "popper" program ?

There are a few public domain versions available. Some companies that make SMTP based mail clients provide you with a free copy of the POP program. One of the providers is Qualcomm, makers of the popular Eudora mail package. Another provider is NetManange, makers of Z-Mail.

We recomend that you download the latest copy from the manufacturer. If however, you run into problems downloading from another site, here is a copy of Qualcomm's popper program already compiled for IRIX 6.2. Just follow the instructions below.

If you do not have IRIX 6.2, you'll need to get the full source for a popper program and compile it yourself in your machine.

FTP a copy of the popper program from Qualcomm for IRIX 6.2

How do I install it ?

First, you need to be super-user (use su) or root.
Untar the file 'tar -xvf popper.tar'
Copy the popper program to /usr/local/popper

Verify that /etc/services has the following lines:

pop-2           109/tcp               # Post Office Protocol
pop-3           110/tcp

Add the following line to /etc/inetd.conf

pop-3  stream  tcp  nowait  root /usr/local/popper popper

To get popper started, execute:

/etc/killall -HUP inetd

Wait at least one minute before testing, to allow inetd to fully start up.

Testing

To test your POP program, use telnet as shown below:

telnet localhost 110
Trying xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx...
Connected to localhost.
Escape character is '^]'.
+OK UCB Pop server (version 2.1.1) at localhost starting.

At this point you know the POP server is up and running, type QUIT to exit.

Note: Make certain that you configure Eudora to deal with mail the way you want. You have the option of setting "Leave mail on server" if you wish to retain copies of your mail on your workstation.

Also note that Eudora does not like NIS accounts, (the ones with + in front of the login in /etc/passwd)

We welcome feedback and comments at webmaster@www.sgi.com.