If PowerMTA is already running production traffic, do not stop the service. Instead, reload the configuration file dynamically without dropping current SMTP connections: pmta reload Use code with caution.
The main PowerMTA configuration file is typically located at /etc/pmta/config on Linux systems. It controls every aspect of how PowerMTA handles inbound and outbound email traffic. Inside this file, you define:
# ===================================================================== # PowerMTA Core Configuration Template # ===================================================================== # --- Administrative Services --- http-mgmt-port 8080 allow 127.0.0.1 allow 203.0.113.15 # Your remote management IP deny any # --- Inbound SMTP Port Settings --- smtp-listener 0.0.0.0:25 smtp-listener 0.0.0.0:587 # --- Authentication and Relay Sources --- always-allow-relaying yes default-virtual-mta mta_pool_marketing log-connections no log-commands no smtp-service yes # --- Outbound Infrastructure (Virtual MTAs) --- smtp-source-ip 198.51.100.10 host-name ://yourbrand.com smtp-source-ip 198.51.100.11 host-name ://yourbrand.com # Pool Linkage virtual-mta marketing_1 virtual-mta marketing_2 # --- Accounting and Log Definitions --- move-to /var/log/pmta/archive/ move-interval 1h records d,b,t # Delivery, Bounce, Transient error records # --- Global Queue and Delivery Defaults --- max-msg-rate 50/s max-errors-per-connection 10 Use code with caution. 4. Advanced Deliverability Traffic Shaping
The authentication and authorization section configures PowerMTA's authentication mechanisms. Some key parameters include: powermta config file link
Setting up your PowerMTA config is a balancing act between speed and reputation. Most users looking for a need a baseline to start their IP Warm-up process. Always remember to restart the PMTA service ( service pmta restart ) after making any changes to the file.
server_name = "mail.example.com"; domain = "example.com"; log_level = 3;
You do not need to restart the entire PowerMTA service to apply changes made to linked configuration files. Simply reload the configuration using the command line tool: pmtacontrol reload Use code with caution. If PowerMTA is already running production traffic, do
The signing domain name matching your From headers.
: Allows API scripts or control panels to rewrite specific sub-files without risking the core server configuration.
http-mgmt-port : Sets the port for the PowerMTA Management Console . It controls every aspect of how PowerMTA handles
The config file is a plain text file that tells PowerMTA how to behave. It defines: Which IP addresses to listen on. How to handle outgoing connections (Virtual MTAs). Authentication mechanisms (SMTP, API). Log file locations and error handling. Security settings (TLS/SSL). Essential PowerMTA Config File Structure
always-allow-relaying yes process-x-envid yes process-x-job yes always-allow-relaying no smtp-service no Use code with caution. 3. Linking Virtual MTAs and IP Addresses