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On Wednesday 28 October 2009 23:22:44 Grant wrote: |
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> > If the relay you use requires a username/password or ssl, it supports |
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> > that too. |
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> |
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> So I need a relay somewhere along with ssmtp to get a message to an |
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> email address? |
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> |
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> > [The receiving smtp server likely does not require a username/password, |
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> > but it is equally likely to not accept connection direct from you, hence |
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> > you should use your ISPs mail relay] |
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> |
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> I likely can't use my ISP's mail relay when traveling, right? |
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The answer to both is "it depends" |
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Mail admins configure their systems as they see fit. If the receiving server |
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accepts your mail, all is fine. If not, you have to relay through a server |
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they will accept mail from. |
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While travelling, you will encounter three possibilities: |
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1. The relay is open. This is bad because it is useful for spam. Few |
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knowledgeable admins do this. |
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2. (The usual case). Your ISP only accepts relay mail from their own IP |
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address range. While travelling this is unlikely to work. |
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3. Your ISP implements authentication on the relay. So you can use it as a |
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relay as long as you supply a username/password to prove you are a legit user. |
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Another option is if the ISP gives you a vpn facility to log onto their |
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network. This is generally expensive. |
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A final option is to use gmail. |
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-- |
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alan dot mckinnon at gmail dot com |
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