Configure SMTP Server Problems

[Anonymous user]

I need help configuring the SMTP server settings for email notifications. If anyone has a similar setup and knows how to configure this successfully, I'd love to hear from you.

Server:
PowerChute Business Edition Software Version 9.0
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, SP2

Email:
Microsoft Exchange through Office 365 (www.office365.com)

SMTP setting
Server name: pod51011.outlook.com
Port: 587
Encryption method: TLS

[Anonymous user]

Any update on release date for 9.2?  We just bought a few units we would like to monitor and are having the same issue.  Thanks!

[BillP]

No, unfortunately. In all honesty, I would not be expecting it soon at all ...(don't shoot the messenger )

[BillP]

I just tracked down someone in our PCBE product management team to escalate this and they told me there is a project/effort to start shortly which will address this issue as a priority. I can't comment to why it has taken so long unfortunately but there is no excuse.

[Anonymous user]

Seems like many IP's are blocking the use of port 25 these days.  Add me to the list of those waiting for something in 9.2 to address this issue!  The software is useless for notifications now.

[Anonymous user]

I too am interested in an update giving ability to set the SMTP Port number. This is a necessity these days. I have a NAS that has had this functionality for at least past 5 years.

Thanks.

[BillP]

I can't disagree with you. I still don't have a date, just that it is slated for v9.2 which would most likely be the next version. I will provide your feedback though to our Product Management team.

[Anonymous user]

Need port configuration - badly. I can't believe the business edition doesn't have this, maybe APC is stuck in the past. Will have to explore other brands/options.

In the mean time, bump for this feature add.

[BillP]

I will bring this up again with the product management team that manages this product to communicate how frustrating it is for our users. Your comments are not unheard.

[BillP]

Depending on where/how you are sending the email, you may be able to use a firewall to achieve this - applying port translation.

[Anonymous user]

I need help configuring the SMTP server settings for email notifications. If anyone has a similar setup and knows how to configure this successfully, I'd love to hear from you.

Server:
PowerChute Business Edition Software Version 9.0
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, SP2

Email:
Microsoft Exchange through Office 365 (www.office365.com)

SMTP setting
Server name: pod51011.outlook.com
Port: 587
Encryption method: TLS

[Anonymous user]

We also use port 587 for the email relay server. Being able to change this is quite a simple request. Port 25 is being used less and less for email. Deploying these in remote sites, it is essential for us to be able to know when there is an issue with our UPS systems, and when these sites block port 25 there is no reason to use the software. Installing a second relay to accomplish this is over complicating and adding to overhead when configuring a system. Step it up APC!

[BillP]

unfortunately, PowerChute Business Edition does not support changing the SMTP port OR TLS authentication as it stands today.

You'll have to consider somehow relaying this to your server with a server you can run on port 25 with no authentication or plain text authentication unfortunately.

today, our AP9630/31 management cards support changing the SMTP port as well as basic (plain text) authentication. in the coming month or so, for symmetra single phase and Smart UPS applications, we will be supporting TLS/SSL authentication which should work for you without issue. you may want to consider using an AP9630 or AP9631 with the new firmware when its released.

[BillP]

It is definitely on the roadmap for one of the next versions for PCBE. I just double checked.

[Anonymous user]

Great thanks for the update!

[Anonymous user]

Any update on this? New version just came out but I still don't see an option to configure smtp settings

[BillP]

schnax - I am working on confirming but it seems as though v9.2 will have it as v9.1.1 is just a very minor release with no major changes. I will try to find out when we intend v9.2 to be available.

[Anonymous user]

I'd like to add myself to the list of people (and companies) that BADLY need the "port setting" feature. Thank you.

[BillP]

I would also like to add myself to the list of people who desperately need to change the SMTP port... Its been over two years since the last release of PCBE... You guys need to get on the ball! It should not be this difficult to add a simple port change to your program.

[BillP]

We have this coming very soon but only for "newer UPS" users of PowerChute that have Micro-link UPSs. Don't shoot the messenger on that but it is what I last heard about support for this feature. I don't personally agree with it myself as a user but depending on the type of UPS, PowerChute installs differently.

To check your UPS model and if it is micro-link, refer to this knowledge base article -> http://www.apc.com/support/index?page=content&country=ITB〈=en&locale=en_US&id=FA230533 

[BillP]

Any updates on when this will be released?

[BillP]

PCBE 9.2 I think is released as of a few days ago or is in the process of being released. Note: I just checked the website and it is there. This ability to change the SMTP port will be available but unfortunately, currently only for users that have a micro-link type device. (To se what type of device you have and if it is micro-link, check here -> http://www.apc.com/support/index?page=content&country=ITB〈=en&locale=en_US&id=FA230533 - essentially, any UPS with SURTD, SMT, SRT, SMX model prefix)

Check here to download for PCBE 9.2 -> http://www.apc.com/tools/download/index.cfm 

[Anonymous user]

Installed 9.2. and it seems exactly as the previous versions. No ssl, no port. Great feeling of early 80's

[BillP]

Hi,

The ability to change SMTP  ports is available in PCBE 9.2 Agent web interface. Please review Kbase  FA249953

Note: PCBE version 9.2 Agent is installed when connected to / communicating with SMC, SMT, SMX, SURTD, SR, Smart-UPS. When running the PCBE 9.2 installer the software check the model of the UPS and if the UPS is one of the above the 9.2 Agent is installed. If the UPS is a SUA, SU, or Matrix the 9.0.3 Agent is installed and SMTP port changing is not available. 

[BillP]

Hi everyone,

A simple workaround is to use stunnel (stunnel.org) and configure it to relay to Office365.

I have used it for several legacy printers and devices as well as APC PowerChute.

Details on how to do this can be found here: https://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/50057-mail-relay-to-office-365-using-stunnel

Key points: use localhost/127.0.0.1 and leave as port 25, but ensure you are using an active account on Office 365 that has a mailbox in Exchange Online.

If anyone needs any help with regard to this, please drop me a line; I have plenty of experience. The main point of failure is usually the firewall, so I would check your firewall's config as well.

On a side note, there is one installation that I have PowerChute Business Edition 9.2 installed on a Windows 7 PC (downloaded and installed yesterday), and because I am using a Smart-UPS 1500, it looks the very same as the previous version of PBE. However, when I configure it to use stunnel, it isn't working - stunnel is not seeing the email requests from PBE at all, even when testing. A quick check with telnet and a test email using blat shows that stunnel is working and I can communicate with the Office365 Exchange Online server without issue; thus leading me to the conclusion that it is a PBE issue.

Should I open a new thread for this?

Regards,

Stephen

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Stephen,

If you have installed the PowerChute Server and Console you should look in C:/Program files (x86)/APC/PowerChute Business Edition/Server/debug There you will see errors posted as to why the mail is failing.