How To Test SMTP Services Manually in Windows Server 2003

This article describes how to test the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) service for any system.

Test the SMTP Service

To test the SMTP service, follow these steps:

1. On a computer running Windows Server 2003, type Telnet at a command prompt, and then press ENTER.
2. At the telnet prompt, type set LocalEcho, press ENTER, and then type open <machinename> 25, and then press ENTER.
   
   The output resembles the following:

   220 computername.microsoft.com ESMTP Server (Microsoft Exchange Internet Mail Service 5.5.2651.58) ready
   					

3. Type helo me, and then press ENTER.
   
   The output resembles the following:

   250 OK
   					

4. Type mail from:email@domain.com, and then press ENTER.
   
   The output resembles the following:

   250 OK - mail from <email@domain.com>
   					

5. Type rcpt to:youremail@yourdomain.com, and then press ENTER.
   
   The output resembles the following:

   250 OK - Recipient <youremail@yourdomain.com>
   					

6. Type Data, and then press ENTER.
   
   The output resembles the following:

   354 Send data.  End with CRLF.CRLF
   					

7. Type Subject:This is a test, and then press ENTER two times.
8. Type Testing, and then press ENTER.
9. Press ENTER, type a period (.), and then press ENTER.
   
   The output resembles the following:

   250 OK
   					

10. Type quit, and then press ENTER.
    The output resembles the following:

    221 Closing Port / Mail queued for delivery