There are four aspects to configuring the DotNetNuke outgoing SMTP
- Admin User account
- HOST SMTP settings
- Host details
- Authenticated mail server account
These SMTP settings are dependant upon whether you are sending via localhost or through an email account.
Admin User Account
The account assigned as the website administrator is used as the originating email address for most emails sent from the DotNetNuke website.
In the past, I have created a single master administrator for the website. This account is then used by the website owner to maintain and administer their website.
An alternative, which I have also favoured, is to create a user under Admin/User Accounts which is obscure regards username and password. It is then only used as the master admin account, which principally means the sending of website emails. It can be given a meaningful Display Name and an email address such as info@, or noreplies@.
A noreplies@ email account can be used, with the possibility of setting it as a sender only style of account, not a full mailbox able to receive emails. However, whilst configuring DotNetNuke websites I have found this, on occasion, to prevent the sending of emails.
Host SMTP Settings
The host email SMTP settings are configured on the page Host Settings under the Advanced Settings tab of the SMTP Server Settings section.
Enter the details for the mail server which you will be using. Consider whether you wish to use the default port 25 or the alternative port 587. Port 587 is often less likely to be construed as the source of spam.
I have often set the type of authentication to Basic and then configured the matching SMTP Username and Password. If your chosen mail server requires, or offers the option for a secure connection, this can be ticked.
The notification that the Test SMTP Settings has failed is somewhat bland. For more information take a look at the Event Log for more information.
Host Details
I have also found the email address configure for the host details to be relevant. Better to keep it of the same domain.
The Host Details are to be found on the Host Settings page Basic Settings tab.
Configure the email address to be the same domain as that given in the SMTP settings.
External SMTP Server Mailbox
The requirements associated with sending emails from a computer or server are stricter than those of a few years ago. Greater authentication of the origination of emails is required. Many email services impose restrictions on the source of the email, requiring that the DNS for the domain have a validated rDNS configuration for the source of the email.
