SMTP Client Assistant Configuration
Configuring SMTP in the anynode frontend enables anynode to use your email server to send messages. In the upper menu, navigate to Extras and SMTP Clients.
The SMTP client assistant will open.
Start with the determination of network controller settings.
Configuring a Network Controller is essential because it determines how and through which network interface anynode communicates with the SMTP server. These settings ensure that email notifications can be successfully sent, especially in environments with multiple interfaces or restricted network access.
You can choose between the following options:
Use a fixed IP address
This setting ensures that anynode will unconditionally utilize the configured IP address. Use this if your network configuration is static and is not expected to change. This setting is not suitable when your network adapter is configured by DHCP, IPv6 autoconfiguration or some other automatic process.
Use an interface's address
anynode will use the IP address that is assigned to a network adapter. Changes to the assigned address are tracked and the IP address to use is updated accordingly. Use this setting when your network configuration is dynamic and subject to change. It is suitable for DHCP, IPv6 autoconfiguration or similar setups. As network interfaces regularly have both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses assigned, it is mandatory to also select the desired Internet Protocol version.
Advanced configuration
With advanced address configuration anynode can be set up for roaming operation in multiple or changing networks or have one configuration set apply to multiply similarly configured anynode instances in clustering or high availability settings.
In our example, we will use an interface's address.
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For setting up the SMTP client, consult your email provider, as they typically provide setup guides. Alternatively, if you are using a local mail server, reach out to your administrator for assistance.
Select the Encryption type for the SMTP server. The options are:
no encryption
No encryption will be done. If the mail server requests encryption, the sending is aborted.
STARTTLS
The initial connection to the mail server is unencrypted. If the mail server requests TLS, a secure connection is established. Otherwise, the connection remains unencrypted. This is the default value.
force TLS
The initial connection to the mail server starts unencrypted. If the mail server requests TLS, a secure connection is established. If TLS is not requested, the sending process is aborted.
TLS
The initial access to the mail server is established via TLS. Note that this will only work if the mail server exclusively listens on the designated port for secure connections. If the mail server sends an unencrypted greeting message, the TLS connection will fail. By default, the SMTP client does not use encryption.
In our example, we will use the default value STARTTLS.
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At the SMTP server configuration, add the IP address or domain name of the mail server.
Configure which Port should be used when connecting to the server. The default port is 25 for unsecured connections or 587 for TLS connections. In our example, we will use port 25.
The Local domain is optional and is used in the EHLO message of the SMTP protocol. If no domain is specified, the IP address will be used instead. In the context of the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) protocol, when a client connects to a mail server, it sends an EHLO (Extended Hello) command as part of the initial handshake. The EHLO message identifies the client to the server and signals the start of communication.
An SMTP server timeout occurs when an email client or application (like anynode) attempts to communicate with an SMTP server, but the server does not respond within a specified time limit. This can prevent emails from being sent successfully. The default value is 100 seconds.
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Enter the credentials to authenticate at the SMTP server.
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At Trusted certificates, deposit any certificates required to validate the email server. This list must contain any certificates required to validate the server connection. anynode will try to retrieve the peer certificate automatically. If it succeeds, the certificate will be listed below. In our example, the certificate is successfully autodetected.
We recommend regularly checking the validity of the trusted certificates here, as they are not automatically renewed. Currently, there is no display for this in the dashboard.
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At SMTP client configuration, you can check if the settings are working with the SMTP server. Enter a valid Sender address and Receiver address:
The Timeout settings limits the maximum time in seconds to wait for a connection to the server. The default time is 10 seconds.
Click on the button to send a test mail.
You will get a "Success!" message is the mail sending was successful.
Your test mail will contain this message:
Hello, if you received this message your SMTP client is correctly configured!
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Choose a Name for the SMTP client.
In our example, we will accept the suggested name given by the assistant.
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You will get a list of all configures SMTP clients.
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A is not necessary.
If your organization uses multiple mail servers (e.g., for redundancy or regional operations), having multiple SMTP clients in anynode allows you to route messages through the appropriate server. Use the function to configure multiple SMTP clients.
