I think that my POP or SMTP server is not running. The control Panel says that it is, but how can I be sure?.

Scope: This document is intended for those having their own Virtual Dedicated Server. If you have a hosting account, you should visit the hosting support section for help.

Description:

I want to check my POP and SMTP server manually. How do I do this?


Solution:

If you are using a Microsoft® Windows® based Operating System, open a DOS prompt (or equivalent), on a Unix like OS, just do this from a command prompt.

c:\windows telnet vds.domain.com 110 (for POP) or 25 for SMTP

The SMTP server (sendmail) runs on port 25 and the POP server runs on port 110

POP Example:

telnet vds.server.com 110
Trying 10.0.0.12...
Connected to vds.server.com.
Escape character is '^]'.
+OK POP3 vds.server.com v2000.69rh server ready

Then type the word 'quit' and press Enter.

quit
+OK Sayonara
Connection closed by foreign host.
 

This should be sufficient to tell that the POP Server is running.

SMTP Example:

telnet vds.server.com 25
Trying 10.0.0.12...
Connected to vds.server.com.
Escape character is '^]'.
220 vds.server.com ESMTP Sendmail 8.11.1/8.11.1; Sun, 6 Jan 2002 16:31:43 -0500

ehlo me

250-vds.server.com Hello web45.im1.net [65.193.47.203], pleased to meet you
250-ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES
250-EXPN
250-VERB
250-8BITMIME
250-SIZE
250-DSN
250-ONEX
250-ETRN
250-XUSR
250-AUTH GSSAPI
250 HELP

quit
221 2.0.0 vds.server.com closing connection
Connection closed by foreign host.

Of course, you can manually send a mail from this procedure too. Just do:

Telnet in on port 25 again, issue a ehlo then type:

mail from: user@im1.net
250 2.1.0 user@im1.net... Sender ok
 

Test relaying:

rcpt to: user@im1.net
550 5.7.1 user@im1.net... Relaying denied

This is normal. This machine does not accept mail for that domain and as such should *not* relay it.

rcpt to:root
250 2.1.5 root... Recipient ok
 

Then type "data" Enter:

data
354 Enter mail, end with "." on a line by itself
 

The type your test message, end with a . on a line by itself.

test 123
.
250 2.0.0 g06Lbnt31340 Message accepted for delivery
 

Then type quit Enter.

quit
221 2.0.0 vds.server.com closing connection
Connection closed by foreign host.