SMTP server change causing old program to not function

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › SMTP server change causing old program to not function

per0w

17 posts

Geek

#154514 30-Oct-2014 15:03

Hi Guys,

So we have an old piece of software that is used for a basic reason. It compiles a file and sends it to an email address.. nice and simple.
The program requires the user to enter a couple of settings based on how will you send this file via email.
these details are the SMTP server and email address you will be sending through. as there are no port options, port 25 has been hardcoded to be used.

So for Telecom we would use :
smtp.xtra.co.nz
user@xtra.co.nz or user@gmail.com etc etc.

This has been working fine for the past 15 years! right up until Telecom decide to power off the old smtp server and replace with the new "send" server.
First thing everyone has said is change the smtp server to use send.xtra.co.nz. The problem with using the send server is our program does not offer the option to use SSL/user Authentication. So our program will not connect to that send server.
As telecom will not turn this smtp server back on they are no help!

What I have tried doing is using an online service called SMTP2GO. This server does not require authentication and you can send email through their server. smtp.smtpcorp.com
I have tested this on my PC and it works like a charm. also tested on another clients pc and works great. I have now come across some computers that it does not work on. all connected to broadband. One thing I have found is the ones that do work you can "telnet smtp.smtpcorp.com 25". the ones that do not connect and send email you cannot "telnet smtp.smtpcorp.com 25". so is it possible that telecom have port 25 open on a couple of these machines and that is why it is working?
I have disabled firewalls/antivirus scanners on the troubled computers just in case...

any ideas on how this process should work?

cheers,
Sam

bonkas

314 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1165090 30-Oct-2014 15:27

"so is it possible that telecom have port 25 open on a couple of these machines and that is why it is working? "

That is exactly the issue I beleive.

dan

1134 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1165096 30-Oct-2014 15:33

telecom cannot do this on a "couple machines" port25 is either blocked or unblocked on the broadband connection itself

if some pcs on the same broadband connection CAN telnet to it on port 25, and some cant, it means its already unblocked and you have another issue..

if none of the PCs on the same broadband connection can telnet to it on port 25, its likely blocked by telecom.

timmmay

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#1165098 30-Oct-2014 15:38

Consider AuthSMTP - they have SMTP servers on multiple ports. I used them for years before I switched to a different mail solution, but they worked well. Don't forget to update SPF if you're using a domain.

dan

1134 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1165106 30-Oct-2014 15:44

nztelcoguy: Spark are only blocking inbound (towards the customer) port 25, you should be able to make outbound connections to port 25

that is incorrect, it blocks outgoing port 25.

jnimmo

1097 posts

Uber Geek

#1165108 30-Oct-2014 15:47

You could try an SMTP relay program, such as http://emailrelay.sourceforge.net/

Then direct your program to send to Email Relay, and have it relay the message on securely to your ISPs mail server.

sampler

445 posts

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#1165113 30-Oct-2014 15:48

Hi Sam,

Sorry it wont matter what you do with local software or settings unless you can get the port that "something" is using in your local lan to change from port 25 to something else.

You could look at setting up a local SMTP server to relay to xtra on an alternative port ?

Cheers

Lee

daparrot

128 posts

Master Geek

#1165121 30-Oct-2014 15:52

Telecom as a rule block port 25 traffic out of thier network

If you are on a static IP you can request Telecom unblock port 25

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per0w

17 posts

Geek

#1166039 31-Oct-2014 16:55

Thanks guys for your input. Will look at getting our clients to either, Get Spark to open port 25 for them or change ISPs. haha

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1166063 31-Oct-2014 17:39

Reading the OP it is not clear "I have now come across some computers that it does not work on." refer to multiple PCs on the same network or not.

First thing is to make sure you request Spark to unblock traffic on port 25 for that connection.

Second, make sure you can resolve smtp.smtpcorp.com from all PCs in that connection (or the PCs that need to send emails). A simple PING smtp.smtpcorp.com will sufice and let you know if there's a DNS problem or not.

Once this is done then you can test from each PC you need.

Nothing to do with other PCs running a service on port 25 on your LAN, or run a server inside your network.

yitz

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#1166069 31-Oct-2014 18:00

http://support.smtp2go.com/entries/23438223-SMTP-Server-Aliases

Ragnor

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#1169415 5-Nov-2014 17:13

per0w: Thanks guys for your input. Will look at getting our clients to either, Get Spark to open port 25 for them or change ISPs. haha

Is the software custom? Who wrote it? What is it written in?

Ideally you'd upgrade the software to offer modern smtp settings: server, username, password, use ssl/tls option and port #.

SMTP servers that accept unsecured connections just because the connection comes from within their network aren't going to be around forever.

CYaBro

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#1169431 5-Nov-2014 17:46

You could also try this:
https://www.stunnel.org/index.html

We used to use it with clients that still used the old POP connector in SBS2003 that didn't allow SSL or different ports and it worked well.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

plambrechtsen

1948 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1169462 5-Nov-2014 18:12

You can unblock Port 25 and you don't need a Static IP address as they spin independently.

All you need to do is go to: http://www.spark.co.nz/port25

Then get it unblocked. All the details on the above link.

Zeon

3916 posts

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#1169496 5-Nov-2014 19:17

per0w: Thanks guys for your input. Will look at getting our clients to either, Get Spark to open port 25 for them or change ISPs. haha

Seems like a ridiculously drastic reason to change ISPs - especially when what your ISP is doing is helping to protect you. As mentioned I would recommend setting up a relay which can authenticate against their SMTP server. Or update your program!

MYOB Payroll has this problem too...

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