Hi all,
A client of ours just requested to increase the max_recipients in Exim to 300, since he keeps getting "554 Too many recipients" error when sending a marketing email from MS Outlook.
Before you tell me to use Pine / Mutt / etc to send plain-text emails via mailman, this isn't an option.
I would like to know, what are the implications of increasing the default 100 to 300? If 300 email recipients were added to the "To:" field, does it establish 300 connections to the SMTP server, or not?
In the Exim documentation (http://www.exim.org/exim-html-current/doc/html/spec_html/ch14.html#SECID105) I found this:
"If this option is set greater than zero, it specifies the maximum number of original recipients for any message. Additional recipients that are generated by aliasing or forwarding do not count. SMTP messages get a 452 response for all recipients over the limit; earlier recipients are delivered as normal. Non-SMTP messages with too many recipients are failed, and no deliveries are done.
Note: The RFCs specify that an SMTP server should accept at least 100 RCPT commands in a single message."
But, this doesn't tell me if it will have a performance issue with the server, or if other mail servers will have problems with our mail server sending the email to so many recipients in one go.
Can someone give me some pointers on this one?
On Sun, Aug 16, 2009 at 3:50 PM, Rudi Ahlersrudiahlers@gmail.com wrote:
A client of ours just requested to increase the max_recipients in Exim to 300, since he keeps getting "554 Too many recipients" error when sending a marketing email from MS Outlook.
I would like to know, what are the implications of increasing the default 100 to 300? If 300 email recipients were added to the "To:" field, does it establish 300 connections to the SMTP server, or not?
Locally between Outlook and Exim, no, this won't establish more than one connection to the SMTP server. If Exim is acting as a smart relay, it'll get one copy of the message with the whole list of addresses in one transaction.
On the "other side" between Exim and the eventual recipients of this mail, the likelihood is that Exim will make one or two connections per destination domain. If all 200+ recipients are at the same domain (say, all yahoo.com addresses) then Exim may run into problems, but it's not very likely.
However, if that list grows very much larger, both you and your client are going to be a lot happier if the client stops attempting to send out his own marketing mail with Outlook and instead engages a reputable email service provider. Assuming, that is, that he has appropriately confirmed permission to send email to all those people.
On Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 2:03 AM, Bart Schaeferbarton.schaefer@gmail.com wrote:
On Sun, Aug 16, 2009 at 3:50 PM, Rudi Ahlersrudiahlers@gmail.com wrote:
A client of ours just requested to increase the max_recipients in Exim to 300, since he keeps getting "554 Too many recipients" error when sending a marketing email from MS Outlook.
I would like to know, what are the implications of increasing the default 100 to 300? If 300 email recipients were added to the "To:" field, does it establish 300 connections to the SMTP server, or not?
Locally between Outlook and Exim, no, this won't establish more than one connection to the SMTP server. If Exim is acting as a smart relay, it'll get one copy of the message with the whole list of addresses in one transaction.
On the "other side" between Exim and the eventual recipients of this mail, the likelihood is that Exim will make one or two connections per destination domain. If all 200+ recipients are at the same domain (say, all yahoo.com addresses) then Exim may run into problems, but it's not very likely.
However, if that list grows very much larger, both you and your client are going to be a lot happier if the client stops attempting to send out his own marketing mail with Outlook and instead engages a reputable email service provider. Assuming, that is, that he has appropriately confirmed permission to send email to all those people. _______________________________________________ CentOS mailing list CentOS@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos
Thanx Bart, this explains a lot :)
So, as I have feared, I could run into problems with being blacklisted by other mail server then. The client does has legit email addresses, and wants to use Outlook (not everyone can use Linux ;)) since it embeds the images, instead of linking to it on the internet.
The exim server in question is a hosting mail server, i.e. it's a mail server, and not a smart relay.
I'll see if I can convince the client to use an alternative method of doing this.
Rudi Ahlers wrote on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:05:34 +0200:
I'll see if I can convince the client to use an alternative method of doing this.
-> mailing list
Kai
On Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 4:31 AM, Kai Schaetzlmaillists@conactive.com wrote:
Rudi Ahlers wrote on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:05:34 +0200:
I'll see if I can convince the client to use an alternative method of doing this.
-> mailing list
Kai
Mailing list software (like majordomo) are a terrible way to handle bulk mailing to people. They are not intended to be used for one-way communication, and by default replies to them will get sent to everyone else on the list. It is possible to disable this behavior, but in general this requires delving deep into the config options to make sure you didn't miss anything. Additionally, the people who typically need this kind of software have mostly never heard of the command-line, and would not be anywhere near the skill-level needed to manage mailing list software.
Brian Mathis wrote:
Mailing list software (like majordomo) are a terrible way to handle bulk mailing to people. They are not intended to be used for one-way communication, and by default replies to them will get sent to everyone else on the list. It is possible to disable this behavior, but in general this requires delving deep into the config options to make sure you didn't miss anything. Additionally, the people who typically need this kind of software have mostly never heard of the command-line, and would not be anywhere near the skill-level needed to manage mailing list software.
I've setup Mailman for announce-only lists for several people and they've generally been quite happy with it. You configure it as a moderated list and only allow the pre-approved moderators to send to the list, and you configure the list so replies go back to a predetermined address (often I create an alias that forwards to a few people). Once you've initially set it up, all list management is done with a web interface. Mailman handles double-opt-in subscriptions so users can add and remove themselves from the list... Tweak the listinfo and footer text to suit the use, and you're off and running.
John R Pierce wrote:
I've setup Mailman for announce-only lists for several people and they've generally been quite happy with it. You configure it as a moderated list and only allow the pre-approved moderators to send to the list, and you configure the list so replies go back to a predetermined address (often I create an alias that forwards to a few people). Once you've initially set it up, all list management is done with a web interface. Mailman handles double-opt-in subscriptions so users can add and remove themselves from the list... Tweak the listinfo and footer text to suit the use, and you're off and running.
John, I have to agree with you. I have mailman serving in this capacity for quite a few lists. It works great!
Barry
Rudi Ahlers wrote:
A client of ours just requested to increase the max_recipients in Exim to 300, since he keeps getting "554 Too many recipients" error when sending a marketing email from MS Outlook.
I would like to know, what are the implications of increasing the default 100 to 300? If 300 email recipients were added to the "To:" field, does it establish 300 connections to the SMTP server, or not?
Locally between Outlook and Exim, no, this won't establish more than one connection to the SMTP server. If Exim is acting as a smart relay, it'll get one copy of the message with the whole list of addresses in one transaction.
On the "other side" between Exim and the eventual recipients of this mail, the likelihood is that Exim will make one or two connections per destination domain. If all 200+ recipients are at the same domain (say, all yahoo.com addresses) then Exim may run into problems, but it's not very likely.
However, if that list grows very much larger, both you and your client are going to be a lot happier if the client stops attempting to send out his own marketing mail with Outlook and instead engages a reputable email service provider. Assuming, that is, that he has appropriately confirmed permission to send email to all those people.
Thanx Bart, this explains a lot :)
So, as I have feared, I could run into problems with being blacklisted by other mail server then. The client does has legit email addresses,
"Legit" in this context seems to be a matter of opinion and eventually someone who signed up for this service is likely to forget it and report it as spam to one or more of the blacklisting services. When this happens it is extremely painful and time-consuming to convince whoever runs the services to take you off the lists, and meanwhile any site using those blacklists will discard all of your email. You'll probably have to prove that all mail to groups has a request confirmation to establish that the sign-up address is valid and a link at the bottom of each email to request removal from the list.
and wants to use Outlook (not everyone can use Linux ;)) since it embeds the images, instead of linking to it on the internet.
The exim server in question is a hosting mail server, i.e. it's a mail server, and not a smart relay.
I'll see if I can convince the client to use an alternative method of doing this.
A mail list will work, or even an alias that the person in charge of the list can maintain, but it is really better to outsource it to someone who knows how to deal with the blacklist sites.
-
Barry L. Kline -
Bart Schaefer -
Brian Mathis -
John R Pierce -
Kai Schaetzl -
Les Mikesell -
Rudi Ahlers