Multiple SMTP Servers in Mac Mail

Hi folks,

does anyone know whether it's possible to use multiple SMTP servers in Mac mail? One of my friends has a Tiscali account setup on their PC and I've just created a him an account with my website. While he can download both sets of e-mails (Tiscali via POP3; new account via IMAP), but he can only send via Tiscali's SMTP server. Any suggestions?

Cheers,
Marc.

Is his ISP Tiscali? It may be that they only allow port 25 access to their own mail servers. Many ISPs do have this policy.

I've got different SMTP servers for each of my 4 accounts... I'm assuming you've set up the 'Outgoing Server' box on each account?

What happens if he tries to send via the new account?

Hi folks,

thanks for the suggestions.

>>I'm assuming you've set up the 'Outgoing Server' box on each account? What happens if he tries to send via the new account?

I haven't actually seen his setup, but according to the e-mail he sent me it seems that when he tries to send an e-mail via the new account it asks for him to select an outgoing server but his Tiscali one is the option and it wouldn't allow him to create a a new outgoing server.

>>Is his ISP Tiscali? It may be that they only allow port 25 access to their own mail servers. Many ISPs do have this policy.

Yes, his ISP is Tiscali. So, if I understand that Tiscali will only allow his mail to go out on port 25, which is their own server? Is there a way of specifying a different port for the mail to go out on (e.g. 587), or is 25 the only one that can handle mail?

Cheers,
Marc.

Yes, his ISP is Tiscali.

That is the problem - Tiscali restrict port 25 traffic to their own SMTP server.

It may be possible to use port 587 (assuming the mail server supports it which many, if not most, do) if Tiscali let it through. I guess the only way to find out is to try it and see what happens.

Here's an Apple document that might help.

>>It may be possible to use port 587 (assuming the mail server supports it which many, if not most, do) if Tiscali let it through. I guess the only way to find out is to try it and see what happens.

Thanks. I know that the SMTP server supports using port 587, so I'll forward the details on and see if it works.

Cheers,
Marc.

Why is it a problem? You can send email vial any SMTP server that will allow you to, and it has no effect on the recipient unless they look at the headers to see what servers you used, which is of purely academic interest.

The important things to get right on outgoing mail are the "From:" header so that recipients know who sent it, and the "Reply To:" header so that when someone hits Reply the message goes to the correct incoming address. These don't necessarily have to be the same, and they should not have to be related to the domain of the SMTP server used to send the message.

You can send email vial any SMTP server that will allow you to

The "that will allow you to" is the important point. If you want to send email purporting to come from [email protected] via a mail server at smtp.domain2.com it will almost certainly fail - relaying disallowed. You really don't want to use a server that is an open relay - it will be blocked by every half-competent mail administrator.

In my experience, that issue is normally covered by the ISP SMTP server only allowing email that originates in that ISP's network, not by relying on the From address being the right domain.

I send email from a variety of different email addresses relating to different organisations I do work for, and they all go through the Demon SMTP server because I am on Demon's net.

Edited by deleted (Thu 26-Feb-09 19:00:43)

>>Why is it a problem? You can send email vial any SMTP server that will allow you to, and it has no effect on the recipient unless they look at the headers to see what servers you used, which is of purely academic interest.

The problem is that Tiscali's e-mail servers go down quite regularly and he wanted to use this as a back-up. Having explored further, it looks like it's not possible with this ISP (even forcing it to 587, which I know is supported by the provider) so he's going to have to stick to using webmail if Tiscali's servers go down again.

Cheers,
Marc.