Overview

This article concerns instances when MailEssentials is not accessible from a Linux or Mac client. The login page is displayed but does not allow a successful login (usually, without any error message).

Prerequisites

Environment:

• MailEssentails 20.x / 21.x
• Linux
• Mac OS

Solution

Unix-like systems cannot use Windows Authentication. Forms mode allows for MailEssentials to accept authentication from clients that do not support Windows authentication mode. In this case, the credentials are shared over the session rather than relying on Windows user accounts.

If MailEssentials is using Windows authentication, follow these steps to switch it to Forms and make it possible for Linux/Mac clients to access the MailEssentials Configuration UI:

1. Launch the MailEssentials Switchboard by navigating to the Windows Start menu > GFI MailEssentials > Switchboard or from the Run command window by executing:

    ..\GFI\MailEssentials\mecswitchboard.exe

2. From the UI Mode tab, navigate to Security > Authentication and change to Forms mode.

3. Disable the firewall by executing the following commands from the terminal:

   • On Linux machines:

     systemctl stop firewalld

   • On macOS machines:

     defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.alf globalstate -int 0

4. Clear the browser cache.

5. Copy the URL indicated on the Website name field and open it using a supported browser.
   
   

Confirmation

You will be presented with the MailEssentials login screen where you need to provide valid credentials before you can proceed.

Successful authentication will redirect to the MailEssentials Configuration console.

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