When setup correctly, a dedicated server can be used for all email hosting needs - both to send email through a domain, and as specific email server host. The setup of email on a server is a simple process with managed hosting, only requiring the creation of the email accounts using the installed web panel, such as Plesk or cPanel.
To create an email account using a web-panel on a set-up domain with managed hosting:
- Log into the panel using your user name and password
- Select Mail from the displayed icons
- Choose the option to Add or Manage an Account
- Enter the desired email user name and password the account
- Click create
Otherwise, if your dedicated server is not managed, you will need to install and setup all of the required email software when configuring everything for the first time. This includes a mail transfer agent like Postfix, and then choosing a mail storage and retrieval protocol handler such as IMAP or POP3. This is an involved process -it is important to know what you are doing if choosing an unmanaged server to send email.
Though any dedicated server can be used for email, they are also the best option for high volume email needs, to allow the maximum appropriate resource allocation and administration. Large amounts of email are resource intensive; having email isolated by itself on a server allows for the necessary disk space and bandwidth required without impacting customer or client access to your website or other hosted applications.