SMTP initial setup   

Hello;

I'm beginning to read the RFC on smtp and am now trying to manage 
Microsoft's smtp server. The virtual server is running under IIS v 5.1 which 
is under windows xp pro. What is necessary to operate the smtp server? Must 
a local DNS server be running? Is any authentication necessary? Does anyone 
have access to some whitepapers or links which describe the server's 
features and functions?

My problem, right now, is I cannot send mail using the server. However, I'm 
certain that it is my mistake because of faulty configuration or lack of 
required resources. Any assisstance is greatly appreciated, please respond 
with a list requirements and they shall be fulfilled.

Thank you;

Braden C. Roberson-Mailloux

date: Sun, 18 May 2008 22:31:17 -0700   author:   Braden C. Roberson-Mailloux

Re: SMTP initial setup   

> What is necessary to operate the smtp server?

- A DNS server that can perform recursive lookups

-  Proper forward and reverse DNS setup for the PTR-EHLO-A "roundtrip"
test performed, at least in part, by huge numbers of remote servers as
an anti-spam/anti-abuse check (search my posts in the archives of this
list for much more on the "roundtrip")

-  A  closed  relay  that allows relaying for SMTP AUTH sessions (with
difficult-to-guess passwords) and/or for known internal IPs, but _not_
 from unknown IPs

- Lots of reading, lots of experimenting

- Learning to read your logs

> Must a local DNS server be running?

Local, no. Working, yes. It doesn't matter where your mailserver's DNS
resolver  is  located (save for performance concerns). What matters is
that  that resolver can issue recursive requests over both UDP and TCP
and  that  its  firewall  will  allow  the  responses.  Likewise, your
mailserver  needs  to  be  able  to  communicate  seamlessly  with the
resolver. Again, where it is makes no diff.

> Is any authentication necessary?

In  a  plain  setup,  authentication will be necessary to send mail to
domains  that  are neither marked 'Local (Default)' nor 'Alias' in the
IIS  Manager,  nor marked as 'Remote' with the checkbox 'Allow mail to
be  relayed  to  this  domain' checked. In other words: unknown remote
domains.

You  can  allow  relay by (source) IP, instead of simply by SMTP AUTH.
That's a core feature.

> Does  anyone have access to some whitepapers or links which describe
> the server's features and functions?

MSDN  has  quite  a  bit  on the subject. I also would strongly advise
grazing over the archives of this newsgroup!

--Sandy



------------------------------------
Sanford Whiteman, Chief Technologist
Broadleaf Systems, a division of
Cypress Integrated Systems, Inc.
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date: Tue, 20 May 2008 01:55:31 -0400   author:   Sanford Whiteman