Mail servers & relaying

[Airmatix]

Okay, so now I've got my 3G card working nicely. Only problem is that my e-mail address belongs to an ISP whose SMTP server doesn't allow relaying (@global.co.za). So now I've reconfigured my account to use a mail server in the UK, which came with some web hosting I use over there.

But sending everything via the UK is clearly not the best option. So what do you guys do for outgoing mail? I want to keep my Global/Worldonline/Tiscali/M-Web (Yikes! They've changed hands quite a lot, eh?) because many of my contacts have only that address for me. But I don't want to mail everything via England, as it is quite slow.

To the best of my knowledge my SMTP server doesn't allow Authentication, and when I tried it, it didn't make a difference anyway. It seems as I MUST be logged on through my ISP to make use of their outgoing mail server.

Any ideas?

[vodacom3g]

There are a few ways you can set up your outgoing mail (smtp) settings:

In order of preference:

1) Use your own ISP's mail server, if they will accept mail from a non-native network. The advantage of this is that you don't need to change setting on your laptop id you change bearer, i.e. switching from the office LAN to 3G, for example.

2) If you use a SAIX ISP, try asmtp.saix.net. This is a mail server that will authenticate you on username and password, so you must set up your client to do authentication. Advantage is as above, you don't need to reconfigure your settings if you switch bearers.

3) Lastly, you can use smtp.vodacom.co.za to relay your mail, if all else fails.

In all cases, use your own ISP's POP3 server for incoming mail.

[Retnox]

Now you tell us! Two years ago I tried getting an SMTP adress from vodacom to setup email on my old T68i. Vodacom kept telling me I need to use my ISP's SMTP server (which didn't work for obvious reasons). So eventually I setup my own SMTP server that authenticates via POP3.

*sigh*

Well at least I gained experience. (Umm... sounds like life's an RPG game) :p

[Airmatix]

Wow. Thanks V3G - this is much better than I expected. I've set my e-mail account to use the suggested server, and it is pretty fast and effective. Many thanks.

BTW, I asked Tiscali if I could securely log onto their server, as I am still paying them as my ISP though I'm using my Connect Card for access. This is what they said:

"Vodacom should actually provide you with an outgoing smtp mail server address. You will not be able to relay messages using a tiscali smtp address when connecting to another isp."

And there we go. Vodacom DID supply an outgoing SMTP server. Cool.

[DFantom]

Two years ago
AFAIK it was only setup in the last 3 odd months

[vodacom3g]

This is where ic comes online and wraps me over the knuckles for not setting up a FAQ, as I've promised a few times. :)

I'll outsource the job for a few beers. Any takers? PM me... :D

[ic]

This is where ic comes online and wraps me over the knuckles for not setting up a FAQ, as I've promised a few times. :)

I'll outsource the job for a few beers. Any takers? PM me... :DThank you v3g for making this forum so successful - it just shows what can be achieved when a Service Provider actively engages with customers & works to resolve issues & listens to & implements suggestions.

I don't remember exactly when Vodacom implemented the smtp server for their 3G & GPRS customers (methinks back in January), the point is that it was requested & motivated here by several forumites & not long after it was implemented by Vodacom & announced in this forum by v3g who did the behind the scenes lobbying @ Vodacom.

[PeterB]

Hi there everyone.

Got my outgoing email set up via the vodacom server, but how do I get news servers, I tried news.vodacom.co.za but no luck, my mail providor is webapps

Thanks once again, and I am very happy with the service of this product, and vodacom, so much so that when my cell phone comtract expires I am giving that to Vodacom as well. Good service sells itself.

Peter.

[nextstep]

2) If you use a SAIX ISP, try asmtp.saix.net. This is a mail server that will authenticate you on username and password, so you must set up your client to do authentication. Advantage is as above, you don't need to reconfigure your settings if you switch bearers.

Which backbone is Vodacom using for International traffic? And local traffic?

[freds]

Hi

I'm trying to use my own mail server, which accepts authentication, to send mail while connected on 3G. However, it seems that vodacom proxy the mail connection or something, because the banner I get back from my mail server looks like this:
220 ******************************************
whereas when connected via ADSL or anything else, it looks like this:
220 xxxxx.co.za ESMTP Postfix (Debian/GNU)

The xs are there to protect the innocent :)

This all asterisk banner that I get when connecting over 3G means that my MTA thinks the server doesn't support authentication.
Has anyone else had something similiar?

Fred

[vodacom3g]

You need to remember that if you use a SMTP server on the data network, you might be issued an IP address that's previously been blacklisted. This could stop you from sending mail.

Best is to use smtp.vodacom.co.za as a relay. Any specific reason why you can't do this?

[kaspaas]

I don't understand why people insist to send mail straight from their workstations to others without a relay SMTP server. The only reason I can see is to spam.

Any half-decent ISP will ensure that the public available IP's/Gateway IP's are listed as DUN's (Dial up Network numbers) in the appropriate spam blacklisting services. If you try to send directly, your mail will then be blacklisted - often without letting you even know about it.

If you send mail, please use either the SMTP server provided by your ISP as relay or an authenticating SMTP relay server. Else you will experience a lot of e-mail going nowhere.

[GiveMeSpeed]

Hi

I use Internet Solutions ADSL when at work and HSDPA everywhere else. I have an email account with MWeb.

When connected to the LAN, I have to change my smtp server to Internet Solutions, and when using HSDPA, I have to change it to vodacom. Is there any workaround? Internet Solutions won't authenticate - you have to be on their network to use the smtp server. V3g, can I perhaps connect (and use) to the vodacom smtp server with a username and password to send email without being on their network - ie. when connected to the LAN at the office. This will save me a lot of time.

I can obviously also set up my own smtp server at work, but do not want to go through all that trouble for only 1 user.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[adsl3g]

Get a gmail account and use their smtp server - it authenticates.

[GiveMeSpeed]

cool, thanks!

[adsl3g]

cool, thanks!


If you need an invite, PM me your e-mail addy.

[GiveMeSpeed]

If you need an invite, PM me your e-mail addy.

Thanks a lot, but I already have a gmail account. Do I just use smtp.gmail.com?

[adsl3g]

Thanks a lot, but I already have a gmail account. Do I just use smtp.gmail.com?

Yes, you have to specify that the smtp server requires authentication, (more settings > outgoing server) then enter your login details as per your gmail account. Select Advanced and for outgoing server SMTP, type in port 465 and select the encrypted connection (ssl) box. Note - test by sending a message, the 'test account' button will report an error for sending a message.

[GiveMeSpeed]

Thanks adsl3g.
It's working.

[ArminM]

an alternative:

Autoroute SMTP:
http://www.mailutilities.com/ars/?fars_11

[Mean_Monster]

seems the asmtp.saix.net is no longer working for Telkomsa.net users. Anyone else have a answer as getting a user to swap SMTP server everytime they switch connection is a pain. Surely Telkom /Saix has something similar to relay.mweb.co.za which works from any network and uses username and password authentication.