How can you verify SMTP?

By | August 10, 2009

You can verify the functional overview of SMTP from your Exchange server by using the following tools: 

  • nslookup
  • telnet
  • SMTPdiag

NSLookup is a great tool that comes with Windows that allows you to search DNS for information. This tool is installed along with the TCP/IP protocol through Control Panel.

To use nslookup – go start – run – type – cmd then ENTER. At command prompt

c:\nslookup
Default Server:  esg-gs-01.magwinya.lan
Address:  10.11.1.12

> set q=mx
> magwinya.lan
Server:  esg-gs-01.magwinya.lan
Address:  10.11.1.12

magwinya.lan
        primary name server = esg-gs-04.magwinya.lan
        responsible mail addr = hostmaster
        serial  = 153
        refresh = 900 (15 mins)
        retry   = 600 (10 mins)
        expire  = 86400 (1 day)
        default TTL = 3600 (1 hour)

> exit

With the above nslookup results you go straight to your next tool, which is Telnet.

C:\>telnet esg-gs-04.magwinya.lan 25

220 magwinya.co.za Microsoft ESMTP MAIL Service, Version: 6.0.3790.1830 ready at Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:12:57 +0200

type ehlo magwinya.lan then enter.

250-magwinya.co.za Hello [10.11.1.10]
250-TURN
250-SIZE
250-ETRN
250-PIPELINING
250-DSN
250-ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES
250-8bitmime
250-BINARYMIME
250-CHUNKING
250-VRFY
250-X-EXPS GSSAPI NTLM LOGIN
250-X-EXPS=LOGIN
250-AUTH GSSAPI NTLM LOGIN
250-AUTH=LOGIN
250-X-LINK2STATE
250-XEXCH50
250 OK

type mail from:esglab@magwinya.lan then enter.
250 2.1.0 esglab@magwinya.lan….Sender OK

type rcpt to:123test@***.co.za then enter
type data

type Subject: 123 Test – Over! (From Telnet)
type Please reply if received
type a blank line
type a period (“.”) and press Enter – this marks the end of the message body. The receiving system will understand and return a prompt.
type quit

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