Test SMTP server connectivity in the SolarWinds Platform

If SolarWinds Platform alerts are functioning properly and the logs show that a message was sent to the SMTP server, but you didn't receive the expected email, you may need to troubleshoot connectivity between the SolarWinds Platform and your SMTP server.

Connectivity issues between SMTP server and the SolarWinds Platform.

If a user is not getting email and you want to test the SMTP server, you can use telnet to send a test email. This will verify connectivity to the SMTP server from the SolarWinds Platform server.

 

Option 1: Test SMTP server connection from web console
 

• Go to All Settings
• Manage SMTP Servers
• Click the SMTP Server used on your email alerting / syslog email notification
• Send test email
• Fill in the email recipient and reply address
• Click send

Option 2: Test SMTP server connection from the SolarWinds Platform server

Important Note: This test must be performed on the SolarWinds Platform server experiencing the issue. It is not a valid test to perform from your workstation or PC.

Key:

• Blue text indicates a command you will type in. 
• Red italics indicates a key press
• If telnet is not installed, you will get something like this:

1. If Telnet client is not installed follow one of the steps below:
   1. open command line (START > Run > CMD > Enter) and enter following command  

      powershell -Command "& {Install-WindowsFeature -name Telnet-Client }"

   2. open PowerShell command line (START > Run > PowerShell > Enter) and enter following command  

      {Install-WindowsFeature -name Telnet-Client

2. After installing Telnet client or if it is already installed follow the steps below:
   1. open command line (START > Run > CMD > Enter) and enter following command 

      telnet 10.110.108.21 25

      if connection is established you shall be presented with following:
      
      
       

   2. Type the following command to send a test email and press enter: 

      ehlo me

      
      
      
      
      mail from: <sender-email> <enter>
      
      
      
      
      rcpt to: <recipient-email> <enter>
      
      
      
      
      data <enter>​​​​
      
      
      
      
      • subject: Test 123 <enter>
      • <enter>
      • Hi there, this is a test <enter>
        
      • Finally, to finish the email, type a period (.) and <enter>
        • 
        • You should get a 250 OK - that means it was successful 
        • If you do not get a 250 OK, and get something else, refer to this guide: http://www.greenend.org.uk/rjk/tech/smtpreplies.html 
        • This indicates the issue is likely on the SMTP server (likely not running an open relay or the user doesn't have a mailbox)
      • The recipient should then receive an email:

      
      
      

       

      
      Note:

      • If you don't receive the email, contact your SMTP server administrator. 
      • If you do receive the email, you have eliminated connectivity to the SMTP server as a problem. 

      Here's the full conversation for reference:
      
      
      
      

For testing through PowerShell

• RDP to your Orion Server.
• Open Powershell and run the following.
  • Bind the credential to authenticate to SMTP server to a PS Variable

    $cred = get-credential

  • Now we will use PowerShell to send the email

  • Send-MailMessage -To <recipient> -Subject test -Body test -
    SmtpServer <SMTP server> -From test@noreply.com -Credential $cred