Testing SMTP and Pop3 Address.

[SteveAudus]

We have just started using a Smtp and Pop3 servers supplied by our local authority.
It seems very tempremental, is there any way,other than using Outlook, to test if a smtp & pop3 servers are working?

Steve Audus
Chaucer School
Sheffield, UK

http://www.chaucer.sheffield.sch.uk

http://www.educationinternet.co.uk

 

[ChrisAC]

Telnet to them ...

Telnet pop.server.com 110 (to test POP3 server)

Telnet smtp.server.com 25 (to test the smtp server)

Chris.
**********************
Chris Andrew, CCNA, CCSA
chris@iproute.co.uk
**********************

 

[ChrisAC]

For example ....

[root@caesium chris]# telnet mx.core.plus.net.uk 25
Trying 212.159.11.36...
Connected to mx.core.plus.net.uk.
Escape character is '^]'.
helo dude
220 marstons.services.quay.plus.net - Plus.Net, The smarter way to Internet - ESMTP
250 marstons.services.quay.plus.net - Plus.Net, The smarter way to Internet -

Chris.
**********************
Chris Andrew, CCNA, CCSA
chris@iproute.co.uk
**********************

 

[SteveAudus]

Cheers Chris

Thanks but what else can you do with telnet,
to test that the servers are running.

I have never used it before.

Thanks
Steve

http://www.chaucer.sheffield.sch.uk

http://www.educationinternet.co.uk

 

[ChrisAC]

Okay, here's an example of sending a mail using telnet ...

[root@caesium chris]# telnet mx.core.plus.net.uk 25
Trying 212.159.11.36...
Connected to mx.core.plus.net.uk.
Escape character is '^]'.
helo dude <say hello to the server>
220 marstons.services.quay.plus.net - Plus.Net, The smarter way to Internet - ESMTP
250 marstons.services.quay.plus.net - Plus.Net, The smarter way to Internet -
mail from: chris@iproute.co.uk <send a mail from me>
250 ok
rcpt to: steve@chaucer.sheffield.sch.uk <send it to you>
250 ok
data <the &quot;data&quot; command allows me to type a message>
354 go ahead
This is just a test message.
. <use a period to end the message>
250 ok 1034857680 qp 6565
quit <message sent>
221 marstons.services.quay.plus.net - Plus.Net, The smarter way to Internet -
Connection closed by foreign host.

Chris.
**********************
Chris Andrew, CCNA, CCSA
chris@iproute.co.uk
**********************

 

[ChrisAC]

I can also telnet to my mail server to see if I have mail ...

[root@caesium chris]# telnet 192.168.20.254 110
Trying 192.168.20.254...
Connected to 192.168.20.254.
Escape character is '^]'.
+OK POP3 [192.168.20.254] v7.64 server ready
user <my user name>
+OK User name accepted, password please
pass <my password, which I'm not telling you ;-)>
+OK Mailbox open, 0 messages <darn, no e-mail again!!)
quit <goodbye>
+OK Sayonara
Connection closed by foreign host.


Chris.
**********************
Chris Andrew, CCNA, CCSA
chris@iproute.co.uk
**********************