[CLUE-Tech] How to verify SMTP config

[Adam Bultman]

> I asked about this last week, but noone responded. Anyway, I am
> preparing to move my domain, including e-mail service, to a
> quasi-colocated server where I am responsible for the SMTP server. And
> before the new server goes live, I'd like to be as sure as possible that
> the mail will get delivered. Of course, I realize that I can't be 100%
> sure until the MX record is switched over, but there must be certain
> procedures I can follow to get a reasonable idea of whether everything's
> configured properly on the server itself. What do real sysadmins do in
> cases like this?
> 

When I move over my mail servers, I'll typically copy over my configs 
(which should solve most problems of losing mail, etc) and I'll use telnet 
to verify that everything is getting delivered. I'll hand-deliver mail to 
most of the domains that the box hosts and make sure that EVERYONE gets 
their mail.  You can use this to test your procmail settings too, if 
necessary.

Following the config copying/re-creation (with the same mc file) I'll just 
telnet in and test it out by hand.  Assuming the server's hardware stays 
up, things work fine.  I've moved my work server once, and my home server 
quite a few times.  Hasn't failed me yet.  


Adam