If my email client is not covered in the Knowledge Base, how do I configure it to work with IU email systems?
Some lesser-known or lesser-used email clients will work with Indiana University accounts, but have not been documented in the IU Knowledge Base. While it is impossible for UITS to document every email program available, it is possible to provide general guidance for these cases.
Note: This document assumes you want to read your mail with email software rather than web access. If you want to access your account through a web browser, see:
On this page:
How do I know if my email client will work?
- If your email client can make an IMAP connection, it
will work. If your program can only do POP3, it will not work. Also,
if it tries to use a standard other than IMAP exclusively, it will not
work.
- Your program must be able to use Secure Sockets Layer
(SSL). If you plan on downloading email and not sending it,
your client can get by with SSL capabilities only for the incoming
mail server. However, it's best if the settings for both incoming and
outgoing mail support SSL. For Imail, your client must also be able to use
Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption for outgoing (SMTP)
connections.
- Your client must be able to authenticate to the mail
servers. Every existing mail client can authenticate to the incoming
mail server, but not all can authenticate to the outgoing one. Again,
if you wish only to receive and not send, you can get by with the
ability to only authenticate to the incoming mail server. However, it is best if you can authenticate with both servers.
Note: A few mail programs may not have authentication settings for the outgoing mail server, but will give you a dialog box in which to enter your username and password.
Which email account do I use?
IU has four main email systems: Imail, Umail, Cyrus, and Exchange. Imail and Umail are available exclusively for students, and every student is eligible for an account on Imail or Umail. Cyrus and Exchange are used by IU faculty, staff, and some students. Every IU staff member is eligible to get a Cyrus account, and many are eligible for Exchange. Some students may also be eligible for Exchange or Cyrus. See At IU, what email systems are available?
Configuring your settings
Some mail programs have an Options or
Settings menu, and others have a file which must be
edited manually. Refer to your program's documentation to find where
to enter or change these settings.
To configure an email client for your Imail or Umail email account, see Configuring an email client for Imail or Umail.
You need the following information to connect to your IU Cyrus or Exchange email account:
- Your IU Network ID
- The incoming mail server, sometimes called
the post office server, mail server, incoming, receiving, etc. It is
the server where your mail is delivered.
- To access your Cyrus mail account, enter
imap.iu.edu. - To access your Exchange account, enter
imap.exchange.iu.edu.
- To access your Cyrus mail account, enter
- The outgoing mail server, also called
SMTP, outbound, sending, etc. Set this to
mail-relay.iu.edu.
- Enable the setting (if available) for SSL or TLS by checking a
box or selecting it from a list.
- Enable the setting (if available) for "authentication", "credentials", "username and password", or a similar option, for the outgoing (or SMTP) server.
For further assistance, contact your campus Support Center.
Last modified on October 14, 2011.
