How to Configure Mozilla Thunderbird for the SOE Network

Mozilla Thunderbird is currently the recommended mail client for use at SOE.

In the toolbar, select Tools, then select Account Settings. This will open a window with navigational links on the left and account information on the right. If there are no accounts listed on the left, select Add Account. This will open the Account Wizard.

At the first step, select e-mail account and click next.

The next step will prompt you for your full name and your SOE e-mail address (ie.

The next step asks for server information; select the button for IMAP and in the field Incoming Server, type zimbra.soe.ucsc.edu. Click next.

The next step asks for your incoming user name; this is the same SOE user name as in your e-mail address. Click next.

The next step asks for the Account Name. This is the name of the account in Thunderbird's account manager. It can be whatever you wish. Click next.

You will now be shown a summary of the information you have entered. It should look something like this:

Account Name: username@soe.ucsc.edu
Email Address: username@soe.ucsc.edu
Incoming User Name: username
Incoming Server Name: zimbra.soe.ucsc.edu
Incoming Server Security: SSL (Port 993)
Incoming Server Type: IMAP
Outgoing User Name: username
Outgoing Server Name (SMTP): zimbra.soe.ucsc.edu
Outgoing Server Security: SSL (Port 465)


If you have not been prompted to fill out an SMTP server, it is because there is already an entry in Thunderbird's Account Settings which is automatically used as the default. So, to make sure the SMTP server is set correctly, go back to Tools -> Account Settings. On the left, select the Outgoing Server text and then edit the highlighted entry. A window titled SMTP Server will appear. In this window, you need to provide a few things: fill out server name as zimbra.soe.ucsc.edu and check the box for Security and Authentication. Input your user name and then click the button for SSL. This ensures your e-mail is encrypted when it is sent.

Now that the SMTP server is properly configured and is using encryption, it is time to make sure you are using encryption when Thunderbird receives mail. Again, select Tools -> Account Settings. On the left, under the account you wish to use encryption, select Server Settings. You will see an area on the right of the window called Security Settings. Click the button for SSL.

That's it. Try to receive new mail and send mail (a good way to do both at once is e-mail yourself) to make sure the settings are functioning.