Ubuntu - Postfix Sending mail times out

[choin]

Hi all,

Im running a LAMP server, downloaded as VMWare appliance and created a website to run on my server.

When trying to send a mail fromout my website I receive time outs in my /var/log/syslog file.

The php script does returns a true value from sending the mail.. so no scripting error.

I am running multiple websites, but actually using one, and when sending mail I see this error in my syslog:

Feb 15 07:54:58 lamp postfix/smtp[23905]: DE0BE2161D: to=<mail@gmail.com>, relay=none, delay=742, delays=637/0.01/105/0, dsn=4.4.1, status=deferred (connect to alt4.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com[209.85.225.27]:25: Connection timed out)

im not really sure where to start debugging.

My network connection is just fine, my website is running and available online. So It shouldnt be a network issue.

One thing: I don't have port 25 open on my router TOWARDS my webserver, but I don't want to receive any mails.. I just want to send them.

Thanks for the help in advance!

[SeijiSensei]

Many ISPs block outbound SMTP transactions to keep infected computers on their networks from sending spam. You need to talk with them about their policies. (If you're on a residential connection, even running your webserver might violate your terms-of-service; most residential connections prohibit servers.)

Your ISP might have an SMTP relay host you can use for outbound mail.

[choin]

Hi SeijiSensei,

I think that could be the case indeed.
My ISP does have a relay server, but I prefer to skip the relay server of my provider and just send the mail myself. If gmail e.g. blocks residiential adresses... that would make sense.

One other thought I have, is not having a PTR record online for my mail server. Unfortunately since I'm not the owner of my IP address, I can't create that one.

I will try and test using the relay server.

To prevent my server sending a 500 mails a second (ISP thinks that is Spam).. is there a way to limit my postfix to send only x-mails a minute ?? Or is there a way to see how many mails are waiting in the queue?? If I can't limit the send-mails, then I can always cleanup the queues .

Thnx!