SmaterMail Spool (Backup MX Server)

Question asked by Shoaib Nawaz - 5/29/2017 at 11:37 PM

Unanswered

Hi,

I configure SM 15.5 as a backup MX server by using KB article (a3133). My primary mail server is exchange 2013 (hosted) and spam filter is barracuda spam filter. I set the domain MX record like weight 10 points to barracuda spam firewall and weight 20 to SmarterMail (SM). If anything happen to barracuda (BC) than SmarterMail (SM) collect all emails in Spool and forward to BC when issue is resolve. This is my simple scenario.

Spool in SM is increasing and right now its 587. Why emails stuck in Spool. All those emails are spam emails.

Please review the below link for screen shots. I tried everything like disable 'Auto-Responders' and Content Filter Bouncing - 'Require message passed SPF'. Medium/High Probability of Spam will be deleted. I set the spam setting as 'recommended-spam-settings' article but still receiving spams.

Someone please help me to resolve this issue. BC receive lots of spam emails from SM

I am sorry, i am not able to enter links as my account don't have permission.

Screenshots:

www.dropbox.com/sh/ep80ub1khlnqkq9/AAD5t-VeKxaHP8gSYUtQs26Xa?dl=0

17 Replies

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User Replied

5/30/2017 at 5:50 AM

Hi Shoaib. Please right-click on one of the messages in the spool, go to View then Recipient. You should see a status or message there. What does it say?

Shoaib Nawaz Replied

5/30/2017 at 8:47 AM

Hi Linda, Thanks for the reply. I checked it and below is the error. Email address is definately spam. info@fosterite.pl 601 Failed to connect to the recipients mail server. No MX records were found for the 'tern.pl' domain. Status: 544 5.4.4 Host not found (not in DNS).Attempted to send the message to the following ip's: 188.128.255.251

User Replied

5/30/2017 at 11:41 AM

What DNS servers are you using in your SmarterMail configuration?

Shoaib Nawaz Replied

5/30/2017 at 1:59 PM

We are using ISP DNS server. If you like I will change into Google DNS.

User Replied

5/31/2017 at 6:39 AM

Yes, change them to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. I believe that will resolve your issue.

Shoaib Nawaz Replied

5/31/2017 at 7:30 AM

Thanks Linda for your reply. I changed into Google DNA but start receiving more spams so I revert back into ISP DNS. Any other suggestion.

User Replied

5/31/2017 at 9:54 AM

Do you have antispam set up on your SM server? If yes, what are you using?

Shoaib Nawaz Replied

5/31/2017 at 11:23 AM

No Linda, we don't have any antispasm engine because it's backup MX server. SM builtin antispasm engines are running.

User Replied

6/1/2017 at 8:38 AM

I need to make sure I'm understanding the issue. First you said that there were messages building up in your spool on the backup MX server and they were all spam. You said they were not going out so we discussed DNS servers. When you changed the DNS servers, did the messages finally go out? If yes, then the DNS issue is resolve and we should talk about getting antispam set up properly for your backup MX server.

Shoaib Nawaz Replied

6/1/2017 at 10:08 PM

Hi Linda,
Yes you are correct. Previously I had almost 500 emails in Spool so I make few changes like enable ClamAV, delete the high/medium (20/30) spam emails and leave the low level spam (10). After making all those changes now 12 to 15 emails in spool. I go to View then Recipient and message status is:
Pending
451 Greylisted, please try again in 120 seconds

Still my server sending remote delivery daily almost 4000 emails and BC blocked all those emails as spam.

User Replied

6/2/2017 at 7:42 AM

Are most of those 4000 emails spam? Or are they good mail?

Shoaib Nawaz Replied

6/2/2017 at 8:36 AM

most of them are spam emails.

User Replied

6/2/2017 at 9:14 AM

Are the mails being sent directly to the backup MX server? In other words, are the spammers using your 2nd MX to send spam directly to the backup MX server?

Shoaib Nawaz Replied

6/2/2017 at 11:29 AM

Yes Linda, Spammers using our 2nd MX to send spam directly to the backup MX server?

User Replied

6/2/2017 at 11:49 AM

Understood. My suggestion would be to install another antispam software on your server such as Declude to help with this. We have many people who have had this issue and Declude or Declude with Message Sniffer seems to help a lot. Declude is free from our website: http://mailsbestfriend.com/downloads. Message Sniffer has a yearly cost, but if you like, I can set you up with a 30 day trial with NO obligation to purchase. Please let me know if that is something you would like me to do for you. Thanks.

Shoaib Nawaz Replied

6/2/2017 at 12:06 PM

Hi Linda, I really appreciate your quick response. Yes, we are already using Declude with Message Sniffer in my Smarter Mail server and I remembered you setup everything. It's working great.
This server is our backup MX server and honestly we don't want to spend money on backup MX server. If only Declude resolve our issue or stop lots of spam than I will install the Deculde. Could you please share the links and documents for installing and configuration of Deculde.
Thank you so much for your support and time.

User Replied

6/2/2017 at 12:49 PM

You're very welcome. I certainly understand keeping costs down for a backup server. Yes, I believe Declude can help you as long as you set it up to scan outbound email. You can find all of the docs that you need for configuration at the link that I provided above. If you get stuck on something, please feel free to email directly and I will be happy to help you along the way. Thanks!

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