Environent:
WindowsXP Home version
Apache 2.0.47
Php 4.3.3
Mysql 4.0.18
Drupal 4.4.0

Hello everyone,
I have a question which I think is slightly different than the others posted about the mail() function Drupal uses for email. If I understand all that I have read on these forums(which is quite a bit) correctly, Drupal itself is not responsible for email. The mail() function within php(which is what Drupal is made of)is responsible. This mail() function requires an SMTP server in order to work. You can either use your ISP's or install your own SMTP server...which is what Sendmail is. Sendmail DOES NOT work on Windows. As is is normal with most useful software, it is for Unix only. My question is, as a WindowsXP user what options do I have in order to install a high level, OPEN-SOURCE SMTP server? I have looked at Xmail but I wanted to ask for opinions and advice here first. Is Sendmail the only choice? I don't think so but I must ask. If not, any suggestions for a Windows environment? Do I necessarily need an SMTP server with Drupal in order to send email? I appreciate all comments and sugestions.

Thanks for reading,
Larry

Comments

gerardryan’s picture

While not open source, I highly recommend the Mercury mail server. If you do decide to use it, I also strongly recommend installing the STAT AntiSpam filters. If you only need to send mail, then consider using the Postcast SMTP Server.

If you absolutely require an open source alternative for Windows, you're on the right track with the XMail server, but I've never tried it myself, so I can't make any recommendations. It has download options for both source and binaries. Support looks pretty decent, too, though I'd imagine most of it is unix-centric.

There's also a Win32 port of MUTT, Exim for Cygwin (which, one might guess, could be built for use without Cygwin using MinGW), and sSMTP (which is also for Cygwin).

Hope this helps.

marky’s picture

but free...

I'm sucessfully using 602LAN Suite Pro. I disabled everything but the mail server, though you can enable their web server on a different port to allow web mail access.

There's instructions on the site to allow LANSuite to use the php binary as a fast cgi application. It does lots of other stuff too, like NAT, proxying, integration with AVG antivirus, bayesian filtering and RBL lookups, ldap, firewall, fax server, etc.

Runs as a service too, unlike Mercury. Did I mention it's free?

/marky

moshe weitzman’s picture

IIS has an SMTP server. I think it comes with XP Home, but I'm not sure.

larry’s picture

Hello,
I appreciate your response very much. However, I must say that ONLY Windows XP Pro has IIS bundled with it. Windows Xp Home does not have IIS bundled with it and as a result I chose Apache. This little fact really turned me off towards Microsoft. The nickel and diming is a little much. Anyway, thanks for your suggestion and the modules that you have contributed...they work like a charm with NO glitches.

Thanks again,
Larry

--There are no Kangaroos in Austria--

sepeck’s picture

try also http://www.mailenable.com
I was unaware that XP Home does no thave an SMTP service.

-Steven Peck
---------
Test site, always start with a test site.
Drupal Best Practices Guide

larry’s picture

Hello sepeck,
Thanks for your suggestion. I had NO IDEA that mailenable even existed. As with all the other possibilities, I'm trying to go through them and see which one is the most robust and simple to use...I like simplicity. Mailenable seems to be an "all in one deal"...only downside is, it's not open-source. I'm paranoid about spyware and adware programs. In any case, it looks very interesting and I will try it out. Thanks for your suggestion...it's much appreciated.

Ciao,
Larry

--There are no Kangaroos in Austria--

sepeck’s picture

I make my family members buy XP Pro not Home when they buy computers. If they want me to occassionally provide them support for free, then they can shell the extra bucks to use a platform I am familiar with. When we do patch management or roll out patch updates at work, I do a little write up and send it out to my cousin-list.

Mail Enable is one that was referenced on an Exchange list I am on as an alternative mail server for a small company that did not need the feature set and cost of Exchange. I have used it personally for a year and a friend for 2 years. Their newsgroup has nice support if you need it, I haven't. The advantage of Mail Enable is that it has it's own SMTP engine.

As to blat, blat is a nice command line utility that will send email notifications but it is not an SMTP Server in and of itself. It needs to be pointed to an SMTP server to relay mail.

-Steven Peck
---------
Test site, always start with a test site.
Drupal Best Practices Guide

ax’s picture

larry’s picture

Hello everyone,
I thank you all very much for your suggestions. I am going to "try out" the ideas that were mentioned and then let everyone know how it all turned out. In any case, I appreciate your posts and your time.

Thanks,
Larry

--There are no Kangaroos in Austria--

gershonai’s picture

Hello,

I am using Thunderbird as my e-mail agent on my Win XP HE system.
I have successfully configured it to work with many SMTP/POP/ servers - I receive and send e-mail with no problems.

How I can figure WAMP ( It is actually Zend Community Server) to send e-mails like Thunderbird or if it is impossible, than can I refer from PHP mail function to use it ?

Thanks in advance,
Gershon