Topic: Collecting mail from the ISP

[Ruval]

Dear all,

I have just started using SME ver 7.3, i have got it to do almost everything i would like it to do.

However The one thing i haven't been able to figure out is how do i get this server to go out and collect mail from my ISP's? or collect mail for more that one domain?

I can see E-mail and E-mail settings and i assume i need to use Change e-mail delivery settings? but this seems to show that i can only get the server to collect mail from one ISP? would my assumption be correct? I need to collect from two places which are different domains.

Our DSL because of it's location is bad and we suffer drop outs  I know i can point the two MX records to the server and collect mail on both domains but there are other things that would need to change which they are not to cheerful about.

So if possible a collection it is from the ISP or ISP's, I am sure this question has been asked hundreds of times and i will search for the answer myself as i get to know the site and see the right order of doing things.

I'm off for a rummage to see what i can find.

A big thank you 

[william_syd]

Good starting point...

http://wiki.contribs.org/Fetchmail

It's the one I use (in a home situation) and it continues to work with 7.3.

[Gaston94]

Hi
I think the fetchmail contribs might answer your request.
You should find all the required materials in the wiki : http://wiki.contribs.org/Fetchmail

G.
too slow typing ... but two advices are better than none

[Ruval]

Thank you very much Gaston94 & William_syd

That is exactly where i will start from.

[raem]

Ruval

Fetchmail does have issues.
You will be better off to bite the bullet now, and just configure the external mx records to point to your server.
That way any number of domains (& email for them) can be supported easily.

Configure any current pop accounts to forward to one of your new domain based email addresses.

DSL dropouts won't cause too much problem, as the external mail servers will try to redeliver messages if your server is temporarily uncontactable.

What are the "other things that would need to change" ?

Most issues have workarounds eg for web sites hosted elsewhere use proxy pass

[Ruval]

Hi Ray,

My appologies for not getting back t you sooner.

They can suffer major dropouts which can last 15 20 seconds sometimes longer, we are looking in to the problem with the customer site and suspect there is a problem at the exchange as other companies in the area are suffering the same problems. Good OLE BT.

But i agree repointing the MX records in the long run is the better option, I have also suggested a 3G card  (wireless mobile data communications) plugged in to the 2800V draytek router to come up when the line goes down.

What problem do you think i will have with the mentioned fetchmail, we have looked at it and managed to get it to work.

Any words of wisdom will be accepted gladly.

[raem]

Ruval

While not desirable, dropouts of a few hours should be tolerated by most mail systems. They will try to redeliver mail when your smtp server is available again.
It's important NOT to configure a backup MX record in your external DNS.

Configuring your server to be the smtp mail server for your domain is also a good choice now.
Immediately issue & advertise new domain based email addresses, and forward mail from any existing pop accounts until you are happy to finally cancel them.

Avoid fetchmail if you can for various reasons. Do a forum search on fetchmail and read the issues people can have.

[wellsi]

It would make a great article for the wiki 'recommended email setup for DSL' - A step-by-step guide to setting it up, instead of using Fetchmail (multi-pop)

The advantages are clear, but so too are the warnings on the downsides of use on a dynamic IP. I still have not changed as it is a change, and am not 100% sure of what to do, and the possible downside would be missed email.

If there was a simple guide then maybe more people (including myself) would change.

[CharlieBrady]

While not desirable, dropouts of a few hours should be tolerated by most mail systems.

Dropouts should be tolerated by all mail systems.