[cobalt-users] Re: slow smtp and my clients just about to make me go ;-(

["David Thacker" <Cobalt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Hi There,
>
> My clients are getting really mad by slow smtp server
> on my raq3 server. It's not a busy server, but smtp
> connection is really slow. Today, I telneted to
> server's 25 smtp port, and using smtp protocol;
> connection and mail to:<..> part work reaaaallllyy
> slow, then after mail to:<..> everthing just flies!!!
>
> Help me,guys, before I go mad.! What's is wrong!!
>
> Any help  will be appreciated!!!
>
> ia


Ismail,

One other possible cause of this behaviour has to do with the client's
internet connection.  If you client is connected via a Linksys Etherfast
Cable/DSL router, AND the router Advanced Setup | Block WAN Request setting
is Enabled, then you will see this exact behaviour.  The initial "handshake"
to the SMTP server takes about 20 seconds or so where it looks like nothing
is happening, and then the mail is uploaded just fine.

If the Linksys router Advanced Setup | Block WAN Request setting is
Disabled, then you do not see this lengthy "handshake" delay.

For some reason, it appears that Sendmail is ignoring the server's
/etc/hosts file on this initial reverse lookup.  Even if I have my
workstation listed in the server's /etc/hosts file, and DNS PTR records do
resolve correctly for the workstation and server, Sendmail takes forever to
accept the mail from my workstation unless I disable the router's "Block WAN
Request" setting.

Perhaps this might explain your situation as well.

dAvid tHacker
Thacker Network Technologies Inc.
Cobalt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx