Informational

Install the packages

sudo apt-get install dovecot-imapd dovecot-pop3d

Configure the protocol you need to be used by appending the protocol in the file /etc/dovecot/dovecot.conf:

protocols = pop3 pop3s imap imaps

Choose the mailbox you would like to use. Dovecot supports maildir and mbox formats. Edit the file /etc/dovecot/dovecot.conf and change the line

mail_location = maildir:~/Maildir # (for maildir)

or

mail_location = mbox:~/mail:INBOX=/var/spool/mail/%u # (for mbox)

Restart the service

sudo /etc/init.d/dovecot restart

Use telnet to check that dovecot is working properly.

telnet localhost imap