To perform a manual SMTP test of a mail server from a command prompt type:
Telnet <machinename or IP address> 25, and then press ENTER.
The output should resemble similar to the following:220 computername.domain.com ESMTP
Server (Mail Service version) ready
SMTP uses HELO instead of EHLO,
while ESMTP uses ehlo as a greeting - to establish an initial connection.
There are a few servers that disconnect when they see EHLO. If the client
finds that neither EHLO nor HELO was accepted, for example because the
connection was closed, then you have to make a new connection and start
with HELO.
Type helo maildomain.com, and then press ENTER.
The output should resemble the following:250 OK
EHLO is just like HELO except that the server's response text provides
computer-readable information about the server's abilities.
Type ehlo maildomain.com, and then press ENTER.
The output should resemble similar to the following:
250-Mailserver.maildomain.com Hello maildomain.com [xx.xx.xx.xx], pleased
to meet you.
250-ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES
250-SIZE 20971520
250-EXPN
250-ETRN
250-ATRN
250-DSN
250-CHECKPOINT
250-8BITMIME
250-AUTH CRAM-MD5 PLAIN LOGIN DIGEST-MD5
250-STARTTLS
250 HELP
Most ESMTP servers will want you to login, to do this you will need to
know a valid account username and password details on the mail server
before you can send. Note: you will
also need first to convert your username and passwords to encrypted base64. A base64
encoder is available at at
http://makcoder.sourceforge.net/demo/base64.php.
Type auth login and then press ENTER.
You will then need to enter your Encrypted username, and then press
ENTER.
You will then need to enter your Encrypted password, and then press ENTER.
Type mail from:email@maildomain.com, and then press ENTER.
The output should resemble the following:250 OK - mail from <email@domain.com>
Type rcpt to:youremail@yourdomain.com, and then press ENTER.
The output should resemble the following:250 OK - Recipient <youremail@yourdomain.com>
Type Data, and then press ENTER.
The output should resemble the following:354 Send data. End with CRLF.CRLF
Type Subject:This is a mail test, and then press ENTER two times.
Type Mail testing please ignore, and then press ENTER.
Press ENTER, type a period (.), and then press ENTER.
The output should resemble the following:250 OK
When you have finished your SMTP / Telnet session type quit,
and then press ENTER.
