How to test connectivity to outbound mail servers

Last Modified

Fri May 29 13:15 GMT 2020

Description

• I need to verify connectivity between my mail server and Mail Assure's outbound servers

Environment

• Mail Assure

Solution

• Many issues with outbound mail flow are caused by network connectivity issues
• You can use ping and Telnet to identify these issues
• Determine the Smarthost address that you want to test and use it to replace <smarthost address> in the commands below
• From a command prompt window on the affected server:

1. Use ping to ensure that you have an active network path:
   • IPv4: ping <smarhost address>
   • IPv6: ping -6 <smarhost address>
2. Use telnet to ensure that you can connect to the submission port (you should receive a banner message stating the server name that you've connected to):
   • IPv4: telnet <smarhost address> 587
   • IPv6: telnet -6 <smarthost address> 587

• If the ping or Telnet are unsuccessful, check the settings on any firewalls and ensure that the ISP isn't blocking any ports or protocols.
• Once you have established that you have IPv4 and/or IPv6 connectivity, ensure that the server's IP address(es) are added to Mail Assure for outbound authentication.