SMPT instead of WebServer? 1

[Trusts]

Hi,

I program, but am a dunce with servers and such. Anyway, my client has a website that sends out email when someone places an order. A certain number of emails are bounced back. The ISP says it's because we are just using the web server and should be using a SMPT server.

Here is some of the message the ISP wrote when we sent a help ticket:

"...some use whatever mail program is running on your web server to send blindly (without authentication) and others user SMTP authentication and send through an actual mail server." and ...

"The best resolution for you is to have your developer update your code to specify an SMTP server."

That's fine with me, but not sure what to do. Currently the code looks like this:

<?php
$mailHeader = "From: info@thesite.com";
$mailAddress = "theperson@theplace.com";
$mailTitle = 'Information about your order';
$mailText = "Your order has shipped";
mail ($mailAddress, $mailTitle, $mailText, $mailHeader);
?>


What do I need to do?

Also am I wrong to think that the ISP should have a SMPT server in place? The ISP is suggesting I specify a SMPT server, but what server would that be? Shouldn't it be one that they provide me an IP or something for?


Thanks!
KB

 

[58sniper]

"...some use whatever mail program is running on your web server to send blindly (without authentication) and others user SMTP authentication and send through an actual mail server." and ...

Except that SMTP is anonymous by default, and doesn't require authentication.

The mail(); command in PHP can be configured, IIRC, to use an SMTP server. Your ISP isn't obligated to provide one. You could set one up, even on the same server. But I wouldn't recommend that. You should use a reputable SMTP server. Check with the ISP and see if you can use theirs.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP
Contributing author Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference

 

[Trusts]

Thanks for the guidance. I think the ISP is not interested in giving good service. I have recommended that my client get hosted somewhere else. Now I have more to support that idea.

I assume the ISP knows that can offer me, or at least tell that they can't but they really answered the help ticket with the minimum of a response.