RE: FN-FORUM:

date posted 6th December 2003 15:27

Hi Keith,

Here are the replies to your questions:

> 1. If I set up my own mail server, do I need a static ip address?

If you intend to use your mail server to accept incoming (pop) and outgoing
(smtp) requests, then yes.

> 2. If I shut the machine down with the mail server on it will
> I lose mail or is it just held somewhere?

If you have a DNS server pointing the MX records of your domain to your
static IP address, and you are using it for both incoming and outgoing, then
you'll need to keep the machine on 24/7 - failure to do so, will send
bounces back to people who have sent you the mail saying it was
undeliverable "host not Found" or similar.

> 3. If it's only for outgoing mail is it still necessary to
> have a static ip (assuming the answer to 1 is yes :-))?

No - but do-it-yourself SMTP Relay servers are not generally recommended and
you may find that some ISP's prohibit the use of them.. Firstly, you will
have problems sending to all hosts some ISP's do a Reverse lookup on mail
their receiving and if its not who is says it is (or should be) then they
will return the mail to you..

> Finally if I need a static ip address who would be the best
> (cheapest :-)) provider to go for.

I have heard excellent recommendations for ZEN (www.zenadsl.com) - but if
you're a big user of the Net in general, I've heard some good things about
BullDog Broadband, they offer a 2Mb service for a stupidly low price.

Rgds,

Carl.
Carl W Crawley
Technical Director, Wight365 Limited
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