Learn How to Resolve Error “Domino Server Not Sending Mail”

IBM Notes is an application suite containing various components like email, calendar, contacts, tasks, notes, journals etc. Lotus Notes stores its data locally or on the server. The server that is used for IBM Notes is Domino Server and it is used for hosting critical applications, messaging (enterprise-grade email) and workflow. Sometimes, user encounters problem where Domino Server restricts sending of mail but does not have issues in receiving mail. The blog will be discussing about the Domino Server Not Sending Mail error and the possible approach to resolve it.

Reasons of Domino Server Not Sending Mail Issue

Users who are running Domino Mail Server often faces a situation where they are not able to send emails however, the mails can be received without any issues. This error may occur due to issue in email server such as the mail server through which user is trying to send mails is blacklisted by several other users. Email server can be tested, which will connect to a mail server via SMTP, perform an Open relay Test and ensure the server has a reverse DNS Record. If the issue persists you can Migrate Lotus Notes to Outlook

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Possible Approach to Resolve Domino Server Not Sending Mail Error

Configuring Domino Server is needed to send and receive mail over SMTP. Setting up the IBM Domino Server as an SMTP server consists of enabling two separate tasks i.e., listening & routing tasks. Enabling SMTP listener allows a server to receive mail over SMTP and SMTP Router enables Domino Server to send mails to other servers using SMTP. The SMTP routing to destinations within the local internet domain is done separately from SMTP routing to external destinations.

1. Domino Server uses IBM Notes routing only by default and is not configured for SMTP routing. Steps to configure Domino over SMTP to send\receive mail are:
2. System should be made ready for sending messages to the internet by testing the internet connection and verifying that DNS is set up properly.
3. The SMTP Listener task should be enabled in the server document of each server from where user wants to receive mail over SMTP.
4. SMTP Routing needs to be enabled within the local internet domain to make server send mail over SMTP within the local internet domain.
5. Enable SMTP to be used for sending messages outside the local internet domain.
6. Specify the relay host that will be used when sending mails outside local internet domain. A relay host for SMTP servers needs to be configured that do not have direct access to the internet.
7. To protect against misuse of the mail infrastructure, we can set up inbound and outbound mail restrictions.
8. Specify exceptions to inbound relay enforcement for authenticated users in order to allow POP3 /IMAP users who connect to Domino from an external network send mail to external internet domains.

Some Ways to Check Domino Server Not Sending Mail Issue

• User can verify if the server has not been blacklisted by other users
• Check Connectivity to the Email server with the internet provider
• User needs to ensure that the mail settings of the provider is ready
• Manual telnet test can be performed to check SMTP connection

Concluding Points

The blog has been aimed to guide users of Domino Server who face the Domino Server Not Sending Mail issue when they try to send email. The issue restricts the user from sending email while they may be able to receive email without problem. Possible solution has been stated in blog to overcome the same issue by configuring Domino Server to send/receive mail over SMTP.