1.2  Authentication to WebMail

To access the WebMail interface service using a web browser, insert the IP address (or the name if it is contained in DNS) of the computer where MailServer is running. A protocol has to be specified in the URL - either HTTP for non-secured access or HTTPS for SSL-encrypted access. The URL can have the following form: http://83.241.46.40 or https://expertspace.net.

It is recommend to use the HTTPS protocol for remote access to the service (simple HTTP can be tapped and the user login data can be misused). By default, the HTTP and HTTPS services use the standard ports (80 and 443). If the standard ports are changed, specify the port number in the URL address, like http://83.241.46.40 or https://expertspace.net.

Note: The description above focuses accessing email via mobile devices. If it is not possible to connect to MailServer, insert URL following one of these formats: http://expertspace.net/pda or http://expertspace.net/pda.

If the URL has been entered correctly, a login page will be displayed in the browser. Enter the username and password on this page (if the user does not belong to the primary domain, a complete email address is required).

Login page

Figure 1.1. Login page


Full and simplified interface

After the username and password has been entered, users can decide whether to use the full version of WebMail or the simplified version - WebMail Mini- will be used:

The full version of WebMail is recommended for users with fast internet connection who require high performance and functionality. The capabilities of the full version include:

  • email folders management.

  • calendars management.

  • contacts management

  • tasks management

  • notes maintenance.

  • viewing of public email folders and contact, calendar, tasks and note folders.

  • folder management (creating, removing, moving, sharing and subscriptions)

  • user's settings of the interface

WebMail Mini is optimized for slower internet connection types, for all browser types as well as for mobile devices. The capabilities of the simplified version include:

  • email folders management

  • contacts management

  • viewing of email and contact public folders

  • folder management (creating, removing, moving, sharing and subscriptions)

  • user's settings of the interface

WebMail Mini is described in chapter 2   WebMail Mini in more detail.

Connection from Windows Internet Explorer 7.0

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 requires the new browser settings before the first connection to the WebMail interface: The change to be done addresses configuration of security areas. Brief help guidelines are available through the Recommended browser settings link available on the WebMail's login page. If you miss the link, the helplines are as follows:

  1. Click on Tools → Internet Options and select the Security tab (see figure 1.2  Internet Options → Security).

    Internet Options → Security

    Figure 1.2. Internet Options → Security


  2. On the Security tab, click on Local intranet and then use the Sites button.

  3. In the Local intranet dialog just opened, click on Advanced (see figure 1.3  Dialog Local intranet).

    Dialog Local intranet

    Figure 1.3. Dialog Local intranet


  4. In the Add this Web site to the zone textfield, specify MailServer's URL address (e.g. http://expertspace.net or https://expertspace.net, see figure 1.4  URL addresses can be specified in the Local intranet dialog).

    URL addresses can be specified in the Local intranet dialog

    Figure 1.4. URL addresses can be specified in the Local intranet dialog


This setting removes the address line displayed in header of every Windows Internet Explorer 7 window.

Connection from Mozilla Firefox 2

Before the first connection to the WebMail interface, Mozilla Firefox 2 requires special settings addressing usage of JavaScript in the browser. Brief help guidelines are available through the Recommended browser settings link available on the WebMail's login page. If you miss the link, the helplines are as follows:

  1. On the toolbar, click on Tools → Options.

  2. In the Options dialog window just opened, select Content (see figure 1.5  Options → Content).

    Options → Content

    Figure 1.5. Options → Content


  3. Click on the Advanced button next to the Enable JavaScript option.

  4. In the Advanced JavaScript Settings dialog (see figure 1.6  Advanced JavaScript Settings), enable the Raise or lower windows option.

    Advanced JavaScript Settings

    Figure 1.6. Advanced JavaScript Settings


This configuration allows proper functionality of displaying of event and task reminders as well as smooth opening of other WebMail windows and dialogs.

Log out

Users should always log out when they finish working in WebMail. To log out, use the Logout link in the upper right corner of the window. After logout, users get disconnected from MailServer immediately, which prevents misuse of such connection.

Note: By disconnection, all windows associated with MailServer are closed.