SMTP

Topics on this page
What is SMTP?
When do you need to know about SMTP?
When do you need SMTP authentication and encryption?
How do you set up the SMTP authentication and encryption option?
Getting help
What is SMTP?
The network protocol used to send email across the Internet
Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) is the network protocol used to send email across the Internet. When you send email, its first stop is a server running SMTP. The primary UW SMTP (mail-sending) server is smtp.washington.edu (The older UW SMTP server, mailhost.washington.edu, is scheduled to be removed from service on August 14, 2006.)
When do you need to know about SMTP?
When configuring your desktop email software
You DO NOT need to know about SMTP if you are using email software running on a computer other than your own (e.g, Pine on Dante or Homer; WebPine on MyUW). You can stop reading here.
You DO need to know the UW SMTP server name if you are running email software (e.g., Outlook Express, PC-Pine) on your own desktop computer, and want to configure your software to work with UW email servers. When you edit the configuration file and get to the "Outgoing Mail Server" (SMTP) question, you enter smtp.washington.edu, if you are using a UW-provided Internet connection (i.e., campus ethernet or UW dial-up modem).
If you're NOT using a UW-provided Internet connection, you need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and ask for the SMTP server name to use for "Outgoing Mail Server."
When do you need SMTP authentication and encryption?
When use of a non-UW-provided Internet connection restricts your use of UW email or when you want to send encrypted email
Things get complicated when you want to use UW email with your desktop email client AND a non-UW-provided Internet connection (e.g., dialup, cable, DSL).
ProblemEmail ORIGINATING OUTSIDE the UW (i.e., from a non-UW network) and DESTINED for an address OUTSIDE the UW is not accepted by smtp.washington.edu unless the connection is authenticated and encrypted. This policy prevents the UW SMTP server from becoming a "spam relay," forwarding on junk email coming and going across the Internet.
SolutionSetting the SMTP authentication and encryption option when configuring your desktop software solves this problem, as well as giving added security to your email.
Note: If you are using Norton Antivirus software, be sure the "Scan Outgoing Email" feature is turned off before connecting to the UW SMTP server. "Scan Outgoing Email" feature is turned off before connecting to the UW SMTP server.
Examples
You want to use the SMTP authenticiation and encryption option if:
Your ISP (dialup, cable, DSL) has a policy that restricts use of their SMTP server if the "reply to" address is not within their domain. (i.e, set up like the UW SMTP to help prevent email spam)
This creates a problem when you want your reply address to be your_uwnetid@u.washington.edu
[Note: In rare cases, an ISP may only permit access to port 25 (the usual SMTP port) for use of its own SMTP server, AND may restrict use of its SMTP server. If this is the case, use the UW SMTP server (smtp.washington.edu) with authentication and encryption set, and specify the port number 587.]
You connect to the campus network using the same computer (e.g., a laptop) for both UW-provided Internet connections and a third party ISP.
This creates a problem since your SMTP setting is different with each ISP. The SMTP server is generally specified as part of the email software configuration and not easily changed "on the fly." You might connect using the UW-provided connection (campus ethernet or UW dial-up modem) and other times using a third party (dial-up or cablemodem, DSL).
You want to encrypt your email communications. (Your local departmental policy may require it.)
Note of caution: Encrypting the communication between your computer and the FIRST SMTP server does NOT guarantee the message will be encrypted ALL the way to its destination.
How do you set up the SMTP authentication and encryption option?
By correctly configuring desktop email software that is compatible with the UW SMTP server
In general, you configure your desktop email software to use SMTP authentication and encryption by using "TLS for SSL" (i.e., "STARTTLS"), setting it to either "required" or "if available," and/or "permit authorization." Specific configuration directions are available on the individual software Web pages.
Compatible Desktop Email SoftwareThe desktop email software below is known to be compatible with the SMTP authentication and encryption software (STARTTLS) implemented on smtp.washington.edu Click the software name for configuration details.
Mozilla Thunderbird instructions for Windows
Mozilla Thunderbird instructions for Macintosh (OS X only)
Mozilla Mail instructions for Windows
Mozilla Mail instructions for Macintosh
PC-Pine instructions
Mac OS X Mail instructions
Outlook Express instructions for Windows
Outlook Express for Macintosh cannot be configured to use authenticated SMTP
Non-compatible Desktop Email Software
The following email software is known to have settings available that APPEAR to provide STARTTLS (the authentication and encryption software), but they are NOT compatible with the smtp.washington.edu server:
Apple Macintosh:
Outlook Express (tested through version 5.06)
Entourage (tested through version 10.1.4)
Eudora (tested through version 5.1) (C&C does not support Eudora)