2.1 Obtaining sendmail

2.1 Obtaining sendmail

Most UNIX-like operating systems come equipped with a version of sendmail already installed and minimally configured to work with that system. For many environments, this setup is entirely sufficient for simple email sending and receiving. In most organizations, however, it makes sense to at least partially centralize email functions. Consequently, these configuration files are usually replaced with something more appropriate.

The version of sendmail that comes with an operating system release is typically not the latest version available from the Sendmail Consortium, scheduling and the cost of integrating a software package with an entire operating system being what they are. For most systems, the version that ships with the OS is entirely sufficient for moving email properly. For email servers, however, it usually makes sense to upgrade to the latest stable version available.

The sendmail source code distribution can be obtained via anonymous FTP from ftp.sendmail.org or via the www.sendmail.org Web site. The source code is distributed in a gzipped or compressed tar bundle that is unpacked in the usual ways. MD5 and PGP signatures of the files are available to help ensure the integrity of the tar bundles. Information on package signatures is available at the sendmail.org Web site.