How to Use an SMTP Relay Server

Nearly all SMTP relay servers on the Internet restrict access to their own users. In most cases, SMTP relay servers allow access based on the IP address of the email client. On the other hand, some SMTP relay servers require authentication with a user name and password. No matter how authentication is done, it is easy to use an SMTP relay server as long as permission has been granted.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Host name or IP address of SMTP relay server

1. Get details of the SMTP server from the administrator of the email system, including its host name and if required, user name and password.

2. Set up the email account in the email client to use the SMTP relay server.

3. Test the SMTP relay server by sending an email to an outside account you have access to. Sending an email to a domain name in the local network or receiving emails does not test the functionality of the SMTP relay server.

4. Look for the email sent to the outside account in the previous step. View the headers of the email and see if the host name of the SMTP relay server is mentioned in the headers. If the SMTP relay host name is in the headers, the SMTP relay is working properly.

5. Look for a bounced email at the source email client if the email did not arrive. When the bounced email has been received, look at the message and headers to see if the SMTP relay server denied the email. If so, either fix the error stated in the bounced email or contact the administrator of the SMTP relay server for more information.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish