Topic: Help Accessing Webmail And Wepage via the net

[Agent86]

Hi all, I'm using server/gateway mode SME on cable internet

I was initially not able to send or recieve mail, so I used the suggestions in the SME documentation regarding residential ISP server which directed me to use my ISP's SMTP server

Is there another way to simply send mail directly with the SME server or is this the only way or the best way for residential cable isp service ?

Anyhow for now I've used my ISP's smtp server and it is working for outgoing mail but I still cannot access webmail via the web, only on local computers

I'm having trouble understanding the SME documentation

Please clarify this text from the SME documentation:
+++++++++++++++
E-mail settings

The e-mail retrieval mode can be set to standard (for dedicated Internet connections), ETRN (recommended for dialup connections), or multi-drop (for dialup connections if ETRN is not supported by your Internet provider). Note that multi-drop mode is the only option available when the server is configured in private server and gateway mode.
+++++++++++++++

clarify this note please:
: (multi-drop mode is the only option available when the server is configured in private server and gateway mode)

Is this note refering to dedicated or only regarding dialups? or all?

I guess what I'm asking is: To recieve mail do I need use multi-drop for my cable connection? Hower in other sections of the documentation it appears to recommend against multi-drop?

[Agent86]

Hi all,

I'm not sure of the answer to my first questions but I've since got webmail to work nicely when trying to setup the dyndns dynamic DNS free service,however I cannot access webmail from anywhere but the local computers ???????

I've followed the instructions for dyndsn, I've read all docs I could find for SME and others regarding dynamic DNS etc.

Anyhow, once I setup the dyndns dynamic DNS account settings in my SME box I was able to recieve mail using webmail

At this point I was able to recieve mail, but still could not send so I resorted to using my isp's smtp server for having the SME server send the mail.

In my case it was smtp.comcast.net for internet mail server.
I set this up using the SME manager etc.

So now the mail is working as it should, however I can only access the webmail and my webpage from my local computers

I did allow private and public access for ftp,mail,etc. where ever it might be needed and can also access ftp page, from local machines, but not over the internet.

my default site is:
www.icl.homeip.net

Please advise on this I'm getting very close now I think ?

My hardware is all local computers, and the SME box connected local connection on the router, then from the SME box out to the cable modem . Simple setup for server/gateway and SME box DHCP server is on, and router DHCP is off

Please help with this, I thought I had everyting setup correctly, but I appearantly do not???

I've added this part to this post:

I've since read about port fowarding, do I need to port foward the SME box to the internal IP address of the SME box for accessing webmail, and webpage of the server ?? or is this port fowarding topic regarding forwarding of the router.

I'm not sure what fowarding of the router would do since the router is inside behind the SME box??

I'm very confused, perhaps a nap may help.

I thought at one time that in order for me to access my webpage, and webmail via the net, then I would simply use the dyndns service to account for my dynamic IP from my cable company.

but now I'm reading about port fowarding?

Please confirm that port fowarding is done on the SME server ? or not ?

The SME server is serving the webmail and the webpages

Please, help

Thanks

[Agent86]

Hi all, just fyi JonB told me that comcast is blocking my ports, I need for the SME server so I'm closing this subject as solved until comcast upgrades my static ip this week sometime

on an exter 15.00 bucks and I've got business standard cable with 1 static ip address, not bad

Thanks all

[calisun]

I have comcast and I have no problem sending and receiving email. I don't think they are blocking ports, I think your IP address changes are not updating.  For a test, go to www.whatismyip.com, than type that IP address in the browser http://###.###.###.### , also try https://###.###.###.###/webmail
If that works, than your IP address did not update with homeip.net

I did set up to send email through comcast email server becase many email systems will refuse email from dynamic IP address and treat it as spam, but when I pass it through comcast mail server, they get delivered no problem.

I also have no problem accessing my web mail. I use yi.org since it is build into SME server, it updates my IP address when it changes automatically, and it works great. I just type https:// my domain . yi .org/webmail   and it works like a charm.

[Agent86]

Hi and thanks for the info,

I had used the ip address to attempt to access this way as well, and it just timed out

Comcast confirmed that they block incoming port 80,25, and I think outgoing port 21 for mail or maybe not that exact order, but they do block as confirm by them.

Their residential service agreement appearantly specifically restricts running a home server or webmail server etc.

I wish I could work around it and force the updating,but I've setup the dynsdns which is also built into the sme server and previously attempted to use yi.org first, but got less responsive then the dyndns service.

Anyhow thanks for the help

The service people will be here within 1-3 days to upgrade the router and cable modem to a faster model and upgrade my service speeds for a minor 15 bucks a month so it's worth that for a static ip. and specifically for webserver and webmail service non restricted.

Thanks again

[calisun]

Huh, that is strange, comcast works for me, I just hope they don't start blocking me.
I am fortunate enough to live in a area where you have a choice of two cable companies, so I guess they are more relaxed here in order to attract customers.
What speeds will you get with the business account?
Right now I get 6Meg down but only 300k up. If they give you a decent up speed, I might consider switching.

[Agent86]

Well, thats just their policy which was news to me, but I did a search and it's all over the web about this subject as well.

They have a strict policy for residential customers agree not to have a server or webmail service etc.. And the person I spoke to when asking about when upgrading knew of this subject as well and he further express that if they find out they will ask you to stop,turn off your service or start blocking those ports as well.

I was discourage over this actually cause I had 6m down and 348 up speed, this person also informed me that with much of the advsertising it suggests capable of 6m down stream but residential customers only actually get 4 down stream.

The upgrade give you and upgrade to actual 6mps down and 768 up, and I can request additional speed if needed.

They have 3 levels of business service which is specific for servers,vpn's etc. and the first is the lite version with no static ip, that is more closer to the residential service, but with business custom email etc.

The second is the standard and upgrades to many other features, static ip, business email,domain hosting etc. and it is 6m down and 768 down
which is the one I'm getting with a three year contract is only 74.00 plus the static ip option of abou 5 bucks so my cost is about 79.00 I was already paying about 65 or just under that for residential service, however I don't have cable TV so the don't discount you as they would for their cable customers, but I thought the cable cost was too high, so anyhow. It would be about 95.00 per month without a 3 year contract and also install fee of about 200 without 3 years, but install is free for a 3 years contract.

The 3rd but not the final upgrade is 8m down and 1.5m to 3m down
That about does it, not too bad compared to what i've seen with all the other services including dsl, which also requires you to have the phone line services to get any so called deals.

Well, anyhow thats all for now
they are pluggin me in tomorrow I'll be here waiting from 9-12 thats the way they do it.