Using the SMTP Server (Was: Re: [cobalt-users] (no subject))

[Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dee Dreslough wrote:

> My guess is, this is a case where you have folks dialing in to their own
> ISPs, and then remotely using your site as a mail server.  It's not that you
> don't have the IP address of *your* machine...it's when folks try to use the
> mail server the Relay Blocking halts them because their IP addresses aren't
> listed in the Okay-To-Relay section of the Email Server Parameters.
> 
> Would APOP be a workaround for this...?

A more likely workaround would be pop before smtp, I'd think.

Thanks, Dee, for figuring out what Shay was asking.  I don't think the
rest of us could <smile>.

> I did find a solution for this on my system, though:
> What I did was ask each of my users to use their ISP's mailserver (rather
> than mine) for sending mail, but to use my mailserver to receive their mail.
> But I only have 3 users. ;)

Don't worry, Dee, it scales well <smile>.

> It's an ugly workaround,

Why is it ugly?

> and it probably isn't
> practical (or professional looking) for a real ISP, though.

As a "real" ISP (a full-service ISP at "http://www.ez-access.com/";), may
I ask why not?

If someone web-hosts with us but doesn't get connectivity from us,
that's exactly what we tell them to do.

As an ISP, I have no intention of opening up my SMTP server for the
world to misuse.  Just about every ISP and hosting-provider I know feels
exactly the same way.

If you've got a dialup line, use your ISP's smtp server.  If you've got
a dedicated line, either use your own smtp server, OR use your ISP's
smtp server.  That's what we tell our clients.

If your ISP doesn't let you (some ISPs won't let you use your own domain
name in your return address while using their smtp server), then you
really need to find another ISP, as there's absolutely no reason for
that restriction; it has nothing to do with spam prevention as some
misguided ISPs will tell you.

It's been a few years since we could trust all Internet users to be good
boys and girls; we have to lock down our SMTP servers.

Jeff
-- 
Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
nobaloney.net
P. O. Box 52672
Riverside, CA  92517
voice: (909) 787-8589  *  fax: (909) 782-0205