🧭 Stage 12 — Real-World Email Testing (Gmail + Thunderbird)
At this stage I move from configuration into real-world usage.
The goal is simple:
Prove the email system works outside the server using real devices and real email providers.
At this stage I move from configuration into real-world usage.
The goal is simple:
Prove the email system works outside the server using real devices and real email providers.
I send a test email from a Gmail account to: user@webworkbench.co.uk
This checks:
DNS is correctly pointing to the server
MX records are working
Mail is being accepted externally
Server is reachable from the internet
I log into Roundcube: https://mail.webworkbench.co.uk/webmail
Then I confirm the Gmail email has arrived.
This verifies:
IMAP (port 993) is working
Mail is being stored correctly in the mailbox
Incoming mail flow is stable
From Roundcube, I reply to the Gmail email.
This tests:
Outgoing mail flow from Postfix
SMTP2GO (if enabled) or direct sending
Deliverability back to external providers
If the reply arrives in Gmail, the full email loop is confirmed.
Next I configure Thunderbird on my home machine.
Incoming settings (IMAP)
Email: user@webworkbench.co.uk
Server: mail.webworkbench.co.uk
Port: 993
Security: SSL/TLS
Authentication: normal password
Outgoing settings (SMTP)
Server: mail.webworkbench.co.uk (or SMTP2GO if used)
Port: 2525 (SMTP2GO) or default Postfix SMTP
Authentication enabled if required
At the end of this stage: