Exim4 as an MTA on Debian 7

[tonyg]

I wanted to get experienced member's take on using exim4 for email...

Background:
I run a few Debian 7x86 VPSs and use exim4 as my MTA. For the most part all is well.
However, on numerous times I have either had a corrupt database or other issue. From what I understand connectivity issues could cause problems.
The last one happened last night where there was no mail being sent.
I tried numerous things (that I had done on prior occasions) to bring it back up but at the end I had to bring the sledge hammer down and reinstall the whole server.


Questions:
Is there a more robust MTA that doesn't freak out thus rendering email nonexistent.
What are your general opinions on exim4?

Thanks.

 

[raj]

I've been using Postfix for over 10 years. Never had an issue yet.  I've found there to be a plethora of tutorials online, support is readily available, and it's actively developed.  In addition, it integrates nicely with lots of other helper applications.  

I've never used Exim so I don't have an opinion. 

This is always good http://shearer.org/MTA_Comparison

 

[switsys]

+1 for Postfix

I think Exim4 is great, although in my opinion it can be somewhat complex to configure.
I've never seen anything like your problems though.

Other decent alternatives:

Sendmail
Procmail
Qmail

Minimum hassle mailserver (my opinion/experience): Postfix with Dovecot

 

[raindog308]

I think the only reason anyone uses exim is that cPanel insists on it 

 

[tonyg]

I think the only reason anyone uses exim is that cPanel insists on it 

I don't use cPanel or any front ends so for me that is not a restriction.

 

[iann_lfcvps]

Another +1 for Postfix. We've been using it here for at least 10 years on our shared hosting side of things. It handles somewhere north of 70,000 accounts for us.