Sys-svc-mail-msmtp Role

Description: Lightweight SMTP client and sendmail replacement for delivering mail through an external SMTP server

Variables

  • author: Kevin Veen-Birkenbach

  • description: Lightweight SMTP client and sendmail replacement for delivering mail through an external SMTP server

  • license: Infinito.Nexus Community License (Non-Commercial)

  • company: Kevin Veen-Birkenbach https://www.veen.world

  • min_ansible_version: 2.9

  • platforms: [{‘name’: ‘ArchLinux’, ‘versions’: [‘all’]}, {‘name’: ‘Debian’, ‘versions’: [‘all’]}, {‘name’: ‘EL’, ‘versions’: [‘all’]}, {‘name’: ‘Fedora’, ‘versions’: [‘all’]}, {‘name’: ‘Ubuntu’, ‘versions’: [‘all’]}]

  • galaxy_tags: [‘email’, ‘smtp’, ‘msmtp’, ‘sendmail’, ‘automation’, ‘monitoring’, ‘archlinux’, ‘debian’, ‘ubuntu’, ‘fedora’, ‘centos’]

  • issue_tracker_url: https://s.infinito.nexus/issues

README

msmtp

Description

This Ansible role installs and configures msmtp (plus optional sendmail compatibility) across the default Infinito distro set: Arch Linux, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora and CentOS. It provides a lightweight SMTP client that serves as a drop-in replacement for traditional sendmail workflows, enabling reliable email delivery via an external SMTP server. For more background on SMTP, see SMTP on Wikipedia.

Overview

The role installs msmtp, handles distro-specific package differences (including EPEL bootstrap on EL-family hosts when required), and deploys a pre-configured msmtprc file via Jinja2. For distros without a dedicated msmtp-mta package, it configures a direct /usr/bin/sendmail compatibility symlink to msmtp.

Cosmos

The diagram places msmtp in the Infinito.Nexus cosmos: the components it deploys (capabilities), the central services it consumes (dependencies), and its outward reach (federation and bridged external networks).

flowchart LR
    subgraph role [sys-svc-mail-msmtp 💻]
        svc_svc_mail_msmtp["svc-mail-msmtp"]
    end

Solid 1:1 edges are fixed relationships; dashed 0..1 edges are conditional (enabled only in matching deployments); red 0..0 edges are turned off in this role. Node markers show the role’s deploy modes (💻 host, 🐳 compose, 🐝 swarm); ❌ marks a service that is explicitly turned off, and ⚙️ an Ansible role dependency declared in meta/main.yml.

Purpose

The purpose of this role is to automate the setup of a lightweight SMTP client that acts as a sendmail replacement. By configuring msmtp, the role facilitates direct email sending using your SMTP server credentials, making it a simple yet effective solution for system notifications and other email-based communications.

Features

  • Installs msmtp cross-distro: Uses distro-aware package handling for Arch, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and CentOS.

  • Handles sendmail compatibility: Installs msmtp-mta where available, otherwise provisions a compatible sendmail symlink.

  • Customizable SMTP Configuration: Deploys a customizable msmtprc configuration file with parameters for TLS, authentication, and server details.

  • Drop-in sendmail Replacement: Configures msmtp to serve as the default sendmail command.

  • Idempotent Setup: Ensures the tasks run only once with internal flagging.

  • Integration Ready: Easily integrates with other system roles within the Infinito.Nexus environment for automated notifications.

Credits

Implemented by Kevin Veen-Birkenbach. Part of the Infinito.Nexus Project and maintained by Kevin Veen-Birkenbach. Licensed under the Infinito.Nexus Community License (Non-Commercial).