Topic Last Modified: 2007-05-16

You can configure a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) virtual server to provide the authentication credentials required by the remote domain. Two types of authentication are available: Basic authentication (clear text) and Integrated Windows authentication. With the Basic authentication option, the account name and password of the server that you're connecting to are transmitted in clear text. The Integrated Windows authentication option requires a Windows account name and password. By default, Anonymous access is configured and no authentication is used.

The selected option overrides the SMTP virtual server authentication setting on the Access tab. The following table describes two configuration scenarios.

SMTP virtual server transmissions Authentication option

Messages are frequently sent to multiple addresses.

Enable Anonymous access for the SMTP virtual server. If attempts to deliver messages to an address fail because of authentication requirements, add a remote domain for the address. Then enable authentication for the domain at the same level required by the server.

Messages are frequently sent to one address, which requires authentication.

Determine what level of authentication is required to connect. Then enable authentication for the SMTP virtual server using the same level. If you want to send messages to other addresses, set up remote domains and set different authentication options. If you use this option, it is likely that the account name that is used is the one that identifies the computer set up as the smart host.

Procedure

To disable authentication for outgoing messages to a remote domain

  1. Expand the SMTP virtual server, and then click Domains.

  2. In the results pane, click the remote domain you want to change. On the Action menu, click Properties.

  3. On the General tab, click Outbound Security to open the Outbound Security dialog box.

  4. Select Anonymous access, and then click OK.

To set Basic authentication for outgoing messages to a remote domain

  1. Expand the SMTP virtual server, and then click Domains.

  2. In the results pane, click the remote domain you want to change. On the Action menu, click Properties.

  3. On the General tab, click Outbound Security to open the Outbound Security dialog box.

  4. Click Basic authentication.

  5. Type the user name and password of the computer you're connecting to.

  6. Click OK.

Important:
If Basic authentication is your only authentication method, we strongly recommend that you also require Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption to avoid unauthorized detection of user names and passwords.

To set Integrated Windows authentication for outgoing messages

  1. Expand the SMTP virtual server, and then click Domains.

  2. In the results pane, click the remote domain you want to change. On the Action menu, click Properties.

  3. On the General tab, click Outbound Security to open the Outbound Security dialog box.

  4. Click Integrated Windows Authentication.

  5. Type the Windows account name and password.

  6. Click OK.