Hi guys

I have a sbs 2003 server that has been running pop3 connector for the last
year and i havent really had many problems. but with recent issues with spam
i feel it is now time for me to look into moving from pop3 to smtp.

As far as i understand it smtp runs from default install am i right in
saying all i need to do is open some ports and change my mx record to my
external ip.

has anyone seen any guides or howto's on this subject advice would be
appreciated

Hamish

The basic wizards will get you up and running just fine if the following are in place.

1. Have a static (preferably business class) IP address on the internet. Dynamic DNS can work as well if absolute necessary.

2. Insure that your ISP has a reverse DNS entry for IP address.

3. Insure that ISP does not block port 25 (many do). This is typically an issue only if you are using consumer package from ISP or dynamic IP assignment.

4. Have external DNS mx records setup properly to your external IP address

5. Open requisite ports on firewall and/or forward the ports to your SBS ip address

Note that there are ways to get around all of the ISP restrictions if you have to, or don't want business class connectivity. My home network for example runs Exchange server via an ISP who blocks port 25, with a dynamic IP address, etc.

In regards to the POP transfer, you can continue running the pop connector after you've switched over dns records for a few days until you're sure that DNS changes have propogated everywhere and no more email is arriving at your old ISP location.

Matt Ridings - MSR Consulting

Hi there thanks for the quick advice have made notes next to what you said
if you have time any advice is really apprecitated

Hamish

"MSR Consulting SBS Support" <support@msrportal.com> wrote in message
news:<admin.2imbdy@at.msrportal.com>...

>

> The basic wizards will get you up and running just fine if the following

> are in place.

>

> 1. Have a static (preferably business class) IP address on the

> internet. Dynamic DNS can work as well if absolute necessary.



We have a 8mb dsl line with static ip

>

> 2. Insure that your ISP has a reverse DNS entry for IP address.

>

Not sure on this we have web hosting with a uk company how would I check
this

> 3. Insure that ISP does not block port 25 (many do). This is typically

> an issue only if you are using consumer package from ISP or dynamic IP

> assignment.

We have a business account and as far as I am aware it does not have any
port blocking



> 4. Have external DNS mx records setup properly to your external IP

> address

As before we currently have our website hosted and the mx currently points
to the ip of their server which I have the ability to change to our server



> 5. Open requisite ports on firewall and/or forward the ports to your

> SBS ip address

Is it only tcp port 25 that's needed

In regards to ports, for this specific topic yes port 25 is all you're concerned with. But in regards to email overall you have 25, 110 (if any clients using POP3 to connect), 80 and 443 to cover the bases on RPC over HTTP. (as well as IMAP port if you happen to use it).

In regards to reverse DNS, this doesn't have anything to do with your web host or your regular DNS (nor do most of the other items other than your regular DNS entries if that's who you are using to manage your DNS). Your DSL provider is who does that. You'll need to ask them. If they won't set up a reverse dns entry for you then you can still work, but will need to set a 'smarthost' when configuring Exchange that uses your existing ISP's smtp server to route your email for you.

Sorry there are so many variables here that telling you 'the' answer isn't really possible until all the blanks are filled in.

Matt Ridings - MSR Consulting

sorry to be a pain but can i ask what function the reverse dns performs and
is it possible to check if this is available without calling my isp


i can call them but i am with bt broadband business and thier tech support
aint that great


"MSR Consulting SBS Support" <support@msrportal.com> wrote in message
news:admin.2imdua@at.msrportal.com...
>
> In regards to ports, for this specific topic yes port 25 is all you're
> concerned with. But in regards to email overall you have 25, 110 (if
> any clients using POP3 to connect), 80 and 443 to cover the bases on
> RPC over HTTP. (as well as IMAP port if you happen to use it).
>
> In regards to reverse DNS, this doesn't have anything to do with your
> web host or your regular DNS (nor do most of the other items other than
> your regular DNS entries if that's who you are using to manage your
> DNS). Your DSL provider is who does that. You'll need to ask them.
> If they won't set up a reverse dns entry for you then you can still
> work, but will need to set a 'smarthost' when configuring Exchange that
> uses your existing ISP's smtp server to route your email for you.
>
> Sorry there are so many variables here that telling you 'the' answer
> isn't really possible until all the blanks are filled in.
>
> Matt Ridings - MSR Consulting
>
>
> --
> admin
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> admin's Profile: http://forums.msrportal.com/member.php?userid=1
> View this thread: http://forums.msrportal.com/showthread.php?t=14013
>
> MSR Consulting SBS Support - support (at) msrportal.com
>

PSST Matt... ya Don't need port 80 open at all..
Just Train users for https for RWW, OWA and Companyweb

I'm not a PROPONENT of having port 80 open at all :)

--
Russell Grover
SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist.
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, (MCP-SBS)
support @ SBITS.Biz
Remote SBS2003 Support
http://www.SBITS.Biz



"MSR Consulting SBS Support" <support@msrportal.com> wrote in message
news:admin.2imdua@at.msrportal.com...
>
> In regards to ports, for this specific topic yes port 25 is all you're
> concerned with. But in regards to email overall you have 25, 110 (if
> any clients using POP3 to connect), 80 and 443 to cover the bases on
> RPC over HTTP. (as well as IMAP port if you happen to use it).
>
> In regards to reverse DNS, this doesn't have anything to do with your
> web host or your regular DNS (nor do most of the other items other than
> your regular DNS entries if that's who you are using to manage your
> DNS). Your DSL provider is who does that. You'll need to ask them.
> If they won't set up a reverse dns entry for you then you can still
> work, but will need to set a 'smarthost' when configuring Exchange that
> uses your existing ISP's smtp server to route your email for you.
>
> Sorry there are so many variables here that telling you 'the' answer
> isn't really possible until all the blanks are filled in.
>
> Matt Ridings - MSR Consulting
>
>
> --
> admin
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> admin's Profile: http://forums.msrportal.com/member.php?userid=1
> View this thread: http://forums.msrportal.com/showthread.php?t=14013
>
> MSR Consulting SBS Support - support (at) msrportal.com
>

Reverse DNS is used by some mail servers.
They will reject email if there is no Reverse DNS on the Domain.

To find out what possible errors you need to fix on your mail server
go to http://www.dnsreport.com and put in your domain

Red Errors need to be addressed
The Yellow ones if you can fix them do...

Russ

--
Russell Grover
SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist.
MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, (MCP-SBS)
support @ SBITS.Biz
Remote SBS2003 Support
http://www.SBITS.Biz



"hamish" <hamish@freedom-uk.com> wrote in message
news:%23MXECZKHHHA.3616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> sorry to be a pain but can i ask what function the reverse dns performs
> and is it possible to check if this is available without calling my isp
>
>
> i can call them but i am with bt broadband business and thier tech support
> aint that great
>
>
> "MSR Consulting SBS Support" <support@msrportal.com> wrote in message
> news:admin.2imdua@at.msrportal.com...
>>
>> In regards to ports, for this specific topic yes port 25 is all you're
>> concerned with. But in regards to email overall you have 25, 110 (if
>> any clients using POP3 to connect), 80 and 443 to cover the bases on
>> RPC over HTTP. (as well as IMAP port if you happen to use it).
>>
>> In regards to reverse DNS, this doesn't have anything to do with your
>> web host or your regular DNS (nor do most of the other items other than
>> your regular DNS entries if that's who you are using to manage your
>> DNS). Your DSL provider is who does that. You'll need to ask them.
>> If they won't set up a reverse dns entry for you then you can still
>> work, but will need to set a 'smarthost' when configuring Exchange that
>> uses your existing ISP's smtp server to route your email for you.
>>
>> Sorry there are so many variables here that telling you 'the' answer
>> isn't really possible until all the blanks are filled in.
>>
>> Matt Ridings - MSR Consulting
>>
>>
>> --
>> admin
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> admin's Profile: http://forums.msrportal.com/member.php?userid=1
>> View this thread: http://forums.msrportal.com/showthread.php?t=14013
>>
>> MSR Consulting SBS Support - support (at) msrportal.com
>>
>
>

Agree-no need at all for port 80 to be open.

"Russ - SBITS.Biz (MCP SBS)" <support@REMOVETHIS.sbits.biz> wrote in message
news:OEY2BtKHHHA.1912@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> PSST Matt... ya Don't need port 80 open at all..
> Just Train users for https for RWW, OWA and Companyweb
>
> I'm not a PROPONENT of having port 80 open at all :)
>
> --
> Russell Grover
> SBITS.Biz
> Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist.
> MCP, MCPS, MCNPS, (MCP-SBS)
> support @ SBITS.Biz
> Remote SBS2003 Support
> http://www.SBITS.Biz
>
>
>
> "MSR Consulting SBS Support" <support@msrportal.com> wrote in message
> news:admin.2imdua@at.msrportal.com...
>>
>> In regards to ports, for this specific topic yes port 25 is all you're
>> concerned with. But in regards to email overall you have 25, 110 (if
>> any clients using POP3 to connect), 80 and 443 to cover the bases on
>> RPC over HTTP. (as well as IMAP port if you happen to use it).
>>
>> In regards to reverse DNS, this doesn't have anything to do with your
>> web host or your regular DNS (nor do most of the other items other than
>> your regular DNS entries if that's who you are using to manage your
>> DNS). Your DSL provider is who does that. You'll need to ask them.
>> If they won't set up a reverse dns entry for you then you can still
>> work, but will need to set a 'smarthost' when configuring Exchange that
>> uses your existing ISP's smtp server to route your email for you.
>>
>> Sorry there are so many variables here that telling you 'the' answer
>> isn't really possible until all the blanks are filled in.
>>
>> Matt Ridings - MSR Consulting
>>
>>
>> --
>> admin
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> admin's Profile: http://forums.msrportal.com/member.php?userid=1
>> View this thread: http://forums.msrportal.com/showthread.php?t=14013
>>
>> MSR Consulting SBS Support - support (at) msrportal.com
>>
>
>

Russ, that's not going to help him much until he has his mx records pointed to the right place.

Matt Ridings - MSR Consulting

You must have very different users than I do if you think I can 'train' them.

It's bad enough to take 5 calls a day from folks whose RWW isn't working....just to find out they keep adding "www" to the front of everything, I don't need the additional calls about "https"....and frankly I see no problem with port 80 redirecting them to 443 whatsoever.

Matt Ridings - MSR Consulting