Misleading error?

[CaptainSlow]

Hi guys,

I see an error in one of my server logs, it's on the mail server:

Socket error #10060

I used Google to look for it and got this link:

http://www.qksoft.com/qk-smtp-server/socket-error-10060.html

I asked support whether that was correct and whether the fix mentioned might work in this case.

They replied that they do not block ports, and I'm not all that surprised as that was always my understanding. I asked only because I recognized that not blocking a port and insisting on use of a certain SMTP server are not actually the same thing, but might cause the same situation with the error message.

Anyway, I'm now stuck trying to figure out what can cause this error, that is not at the same time port blocking or a "required server use" issue.

Any ideas guys?

[Rik]

This post suggests that the error will occur if you try and use anything other than IDNet's SMTP servers (though I have no problems using 1&1's auth-smtp servers).

[CaptainSlow]

I did also notice that as my server is set for 3 attempts at mail exchange initially, as far as I can tell it always gets resolved by the third attempt.

It's not every time either. I suspect it's to certain destinations only. It's way too early to point any fingers, so I shall not at this time! 

I'm not keen on using a 3rd party for mail anymore as experience has shown that there's always some time when you end up regretting it. I'm much happier being self sufficient in that respect. I was also a bit surprised to see Google mail getting it quite wrong the other day too. I'd have felt that should have been beneath them by now.

[Rik]

What happened with Google?

[CaptainSlow]

Well it's like this, during the migration I set up an extra gmail account.

I used acc #2 to forward some mail from IDNet that they sent to it, to my own domain based mail after the migration had begun (so I had a local copy if things went badly!)

After some hours I'd not seen that forwarded mail, and eventually Google told me it could not be delivered as it could not establish a connection with my server.

I felt it might be a propagation issue, so was not really too concerned beyond that thought as it was to be expected. I'd only just changed the MX records for the domain and that can take a while to get out there with all the other servers.

Over time this carried on, and got a bit beyond what one might expect, so to find out what was happening I sent a mail direct from acc#1 to make sure my server was live as far as Google was concerned, and unsurprisingly it went straight through as I would normally expect. With that discovery I forwarded the mail from Google#2 to Google#1 and then over to my server and that worked as it should too.

So Google were saying the server was there but not there all at the same time! I'd hope as a postmaster I'd never do anything like that in public! It's downright embarrassing! Fact is they are still saying it, but it's worth noting that they are the ONLY ones saying it, every one else is having no problem whatsoever with my server, as is usually the case.

Oh well, Google mail is still beta when all is said and done. I'd have thought that server bit should be pretty much nailed down by now though! <shrug>

[Rik]

I think we're going to be asking you the questions in future, you clearly have a great depth of knowledge.

I thought Google was officially out of beta now?

[CaptainSlow]

I think we're going to be asking you the questions in future, you clearly have a great depth of knowledge.

I thought Google was officially out of beta now?

Oh, not really, we all got an area or two where we got some extra know how or insight, added together it's greater than the sum of it's parts, which is why this place has such huge potential as long as it's looked after and fostered right.

IDNet net probably has a unique opportunity as the service is already there to make day to day stuff pretty straight forward. This results in people here chatting over issues like  we do rather than being left screaming for some sort of support in the first place, like in most other places. This more relaxed situation allows people to consider being more creative in how they can use their connection too. IDNEt in it's turn gets even more clued up users and the whole thing has a chance to snowball nicely. Or at least that's my take on what might be possible. The trick seems to be not to get too big too quick really. Get plenty solid first, then you got something able to truly support something larger.

Google the search engine is out of beta, Google mail is still in beta stage. There's a good example of keeping it clean, simple and solid and then growing quite neatly as a result.

I found making mail my problem has made it work very slick for me, I get a 60 second turn around after hitting send, and that's to the other persons in box in the main, not to some place out there to hang around for who knows how long. It takes great care initially to make it work right and work securely, but that's more than worth the effort I've found. I'm still learning about it after 4 years, but it's run 24/7/365 for that period since then. When I migrated I changed my router login details and one IP address in my MX record at freeparking, everything else carried on more or less as before. I'd say that is hassle free really, I've just had these few teething troubles, but nothing too bad apart from the frustration at not knowing all the answers straight way!

[Rik]

Oh, not really, we all got an area or two where we got some extra know how or insight, added together it's greater than the sum of it's parts, which is why this place has such huge potential as long as it's looked after and fostered right.

That's exactly the belief that Adam and I have, and one that is shared by the membership as a whole, I believe. If we all bring our particular knowledge to the board, the sum of the parts will, indeed, make for a great whole.

DNet net probably has a unique opportunity as the service is already there to make day to day stuff pretty straight forward. This results in people here chatting over issues like  we do rather than being left screaming for some sort of support in the first place, like in most other places. This more relaxed situation allows people to consider being more creative in how they can use their connection too. IDNEt in it's turn gets even more clued up users and the whole thing has a chance to snowball nicely. Or at least that's my take on what might be possible. The trick seems to be not to get too big too quick really. Get plenty solid first, then you got something able to truly support something larger.

I suspect that is the approach that Simon & Tim have been taking.

Google the search engine is out of beta, Google mail is still in beta stage. There's a good example of keeping it clean, simple and solid and then growing quite neatly as a result.

Even longer than a Microsoft beta!

I've just had these few teething troubles, but nothing too bad apart from the frustration at not knowing all the answers straight way!

Now there's a feeling I can empathise with!