smptserver-blog

[smptserver-blog]

What is An SMTP Server Relay

A simple mail transfer protocol relay (SMTP relay) is a service that is used as a means to transport email messages in between different email hosting services, servers and/or domains.

 Explaining SMTP relay

An SMTP relay is primarily used when an email needs to be delivered to a domain different from the user’s domain. For example, if an email is being sent from yourname@yourdomain.com to friend@frienddomian.com, SMTP relay is required to transmit messages between each domain. SMTP relay is generally a third-party application or service that mediates the process of sending, delivering and fetching email messages between different email hosts.

SMTP relays are also used in email composing applications such as Outlook. Users can configure their email address on the software and are able to send emails from multiple email addresses (of the same or a different domain) without the need to consider domain, ISP or organization...get more to know at -Techopedia.

To secure this set up, for incoming mail, allow the IIS SMTP server to relay only to your own domains. For outgoing mail, allow the IIS SMTP server to relay to all domains. If you allow incoming mail to be relayed to all domains, spammers will take advantage of your open mail relay and you'll process thousands of spam e-mails within a few days. A default configuration allows all computers that can authenticate to relay through the server; however, authentication requires more overhead, so it's better to allow relay based on IP address. 

Since you only want to allow your Exchange Server to use the IIS SMTP Server as an open relay, add the IP address of your Exchange Server to Allow "Only the list below." You need to allow the IIS SMTP Service to act as an open relay for your Exchange Server because the Exchange Server needs to send SMTP mail to all Internet mail domains. The open relay for outbound mail is required. You also need to prevent relay for incoming messages. Do this by configuring the server to relay only messages destined to your own domain:

In the Internet Services Manager console, expand the Default SMTP Virtual Server node.

Right-click on the Domains node, point to New and click Domain.

Select the Remote option and click Next.

Type in your mail domain name and click Finish.

Double-click on your new Remote Domain name.

Check the option to Allow incoming mail to be relayed to this domain so  that inbound mail destined for other domains is dropped by the SMTP relay. Read more at - Techtarget.com.

What is SMTP Authentication?

SMTP authentication is the process in which ISP clients identify themselves to the mail server from which they are going to send an email.

SMTP server is used for sending emails. Google provides the free SMTP server through Gmail service. Anyone can send emails using Gmail and it is for free. This service can be used for sending personal emails or can be used even with your website. You can use this service for sending newsletters, contact forms, and notifications.

SMTP test tools: SMTP test tools or SMTP diagnostics tools are useful to identify and troubleshoot SMTP server problems. For this, it sends a message to the SMTP server. All these trials are displayed or recorded in a log...to know more, visit - Softwaretestinghelp

Difference between SMTP server and SMTP Relay

SMTP Server is somewhat generic and can mean any server utilizing the SMTP protocol. However, in this context, it means the server to which a mail client (for example Thunderbird) connects to to send the mail. In additionally to being the first point through which the mail passes, it is also usually the last, as SMTP servers are responsible for delivering the mail to a mailbox (POP3 or IMAP, usually).

SMTP Relay is a more specific term. Think of it like a post office sorting facility - It deals with mail coming from other servers, such as the SMTP server above. It then passes it on in the right direction to other SMTP servers.

To simply be able to send the mail, you do not need a relay server. Additionally, it is recommended to not allow relaying unless you really need to, as an SMTP relay can be abused by spammers...find out more at - Superuser.com.

Email marketing can be complicated and making sure your messages clear your outgoing server and land in your customers’ Gmail, AOL, or Yahoo inboxes should not be a concern. Using an SMTP relay will save you time and money. Click here to know more about an SMTP relay.