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Trouble connecting Exchang 2003 using POP3

I am having trouble connecting external clients to use POP3 on an Exchange 2003 server.

If I am internal, or connected over VPN, I can type the name of the incoming mail server as the internal name (ie mailsrvr.domain.local) and everything works with no problems. In this scenario, I am using mail.domain.com as the SMTP server.

If I try to connect an external client however, using this info:
POP3 server: mail.domain.com
SMTP Server: mail.domain.com

I get the following error from Outlook:

"Task 'mail.domain.com - Receiving' reported error (0x80042108) : 'Outlook is unable to connect to your incoming (POP3) email server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider.'

We are using a hardware firewall (Linksys R0V42) and I have the following Access Rules configured:

Priority: 1
Policy Name: POP3
Enabled: Checked
Action: Allow
Service: POP3[110]
Interface: WAN1
Source: Any
Destination: Any
Time: Always

and

Priority: 2
Policy Name: SSL
Enabled: Checked
Action: Allow
Service: HTTPS[443]
Interface: WAN1
Source: Any
Destination: Any
Time: Always

The POP3 service is started and the default virtual server is configured for port 110.

I only have Basic authentication and Simple Authentication and Security Layer checked. Requires SSL is NOT checked - though I am using SSL for OWA and Active Sync.

Why else could I not be able to connect to the POP3 connector?

Thanks you!!

Rob Williams

POP access to Exchange is not enabled by default. Though you can do so a user will have a far better experience and far better security using rpc/http which is the intended remote connection method with SBS 2003/Exchange 2003:
http://www.lan-2-wan.com/SBS.htm#q5

IT_Service

ASKER

Hello, thanks for the response.

These clients already have POP3 email configured on their remote systems for other account; their preferred connection method is to use POP3. Also, there is not a desire to keep their mail on the mail server. I use HTTP/RPC on other servers, but don't want to do so here.

Just noticed that using http://canyouseeme.org/ I cannot get to Port 110.

I can get a response from port 110 internally.

Not sure where my firewall config could be wrong here.

Any ideas?

thanks!

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Rob Williams

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madhatter5501

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IT_Service

ASKER

I could not connect over telnet either.

I did find the issue ... it was the firewall - port forwarding was missing.

thanks for the responses; i will divide up the points.

IT_Service

ASKER

Thanks for the advice and troubleshooting help!