Can't send using port 26 (25 is okay)

[crwilliams]

I don't know what I've done, but I admit I did probably do something. But suddenly, I can't get any connections in order to send mail using exim on port 26. Sending through port 25 is fine, though, as is sending through webmail.

The server just refuses to even connect to port 26. The port is still open in apf, and exim on 26 is selected in the service manager. I've tried un-checking then re-checking it, but no go.

I'm using ASSP on the server, I have Spamassassin turned off, and I have done an eximup. I did finally do the maildir conversion a few weeks ago (I know, I know... very late) but I'm pretty sure it's been rebooted since then, so I don't *think* that would have anything to do with it.

Any ideas at all? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[rpmws]

I don't know what I've done, but I admit I did probably do something. But suddenly, I can't get any connections in order to send mail using exim on port 26. Sending through port 25 is fine, though, as is sending through webmail.

The server just refuses to even connect to port 26. The port is still open in apf, and exim on 26 is selected in the service manager. I've tried un-checking then re-checking it, but no go.

I'm using ASSP on the server, I have Spamassassin turned off, and I have done an eximup. I did finally do the maildir conversion a few weeks ago (I know, I know... very late) but I'm pretty sure it's been rebooted since then, so I don't *think* that would have anything to do with it.

Any ideas at all? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

what happens if you ssh in that server and "telnet localhost 26" ?

[crwilliams]

what happens if you ssh in that server and "telnet localhost 26" ?

Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost (127.0.0.1).
Escape character is '^]'.
220-host.xxxxxx.com ESMTP Exim 4.69 #1 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:53:30 -0500
220-We do not authorize the use of this system to transport unsolicited,
220 and/or bulk e-mail.


I'm not sure what it means that I can connect locally on the server, but get the connection refused when I telnet mail.domain.xxx 26 from my computer's terminal.

[rpmws]

Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost (127.0.0.1).
Escape character is '^]'.
220-host.xxxxxx.com ESMTP Exim 4.69 #1 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:53:30 -0500
220-We do not authorize the use of this system to transport unsolicited,
220 and/or bulk e-mail.


I'm not sure what it means that I can connect locally on the server, but get the connection refused when I telnet mail.domain.xxx 26 from my computer's terminal.

PM me a domain that resolves to the server. or post it here if you don't care.

[crwilliams]

katai.org

And nah, I don't care. There isn't much content on this particular site yet, anyway.

Thank you!

[rpmws]

i get connection refused.

i think it's apf. can i suggest chirpy's CSF ? it's free and makes APF look like a kids toy. web based configuration also. It even has a APF remover.

[crwilliams]

At this point, it can't hurt! I do actually have it on another server, and haven't had any trouble with it.

Thanks for the help!

[crwilliams]

Well, switching to CSF didn't hurt, but it didn't help, either. I'm still being refused a connection to port 26. I can still connect to port 25, and webmail still sends, though, so at least it hasn't gotten worse. And at least one thing has been ruled out! Thanks again!

[moorthyvsm]

Could you please give the telnet to 26 using your server IP from your home computer?

------------
telnet yourserverip 25
------------

[crwilliams]

No, it doesn't work. Can't connect via IP or domain to 26 from outside that box. The only connection to 26 is when I've ssh'd into the server and connect localhost to 26.

Trying 67.xx.xx.xx...
telnet: Unable to connect to remote host: Connection refused

[crwilliams]

I got desperate and just compared the exim conf to another server that has the same general setup on it.

I noticed these two lines at the top of exim.conf on this box, that the other server's conf didn't have:

local_interfaces = 127.0.0.1
daemon_smtp_ports = 125

I removed those lines, restarted exim and restarted ASSP, and I have connections to port 26 again. YAY!

I won't pretend to understand why that worked, but it did, and so I thought I'd mention it on the off-chance someone else has a similar issue. If someone here does know why, I'd be happy to hear thoughts on it, though. Otherwise, thanks for the help!