Sending email from OpenVMS

[John T. Farmer]

What software is required to enable OpenVMS to send email messages? I have previously worked at a site where the PMDF email sofware was installed. Very nice. At my current site, I don't have any known ability to have DCL email a message. Wanting this for Job Termination notification, i.e., text message, pager, email. We are in a mixed network of Windows servers (Exchange email), workstations and a single Alpha DS20e.

Looking for very basic outbound email capability with minimal expense. I'm in contact with Process about PMDF, but on a limited budget for software.

Short of having navtive VMS code, I'm looking at creating a pc based solution with our Windows-to-OpenVMS middleware to drive the emailing.

Thanks,

John Farmer
john dot farmer at genworth dot com
OpenVMS 7.2-1
DEC Alpha DS20e

[Richard Whalen]

VMS includes a MAIL application that works with DECnet and TCP/IP provided that your TCP/IP stack has SMTP configured/enabled.
What TCP/IP stack are you using? (MultiNet, TCPware or TCP/IP Services).

From DCL:
$ mail [filespec] [recipient-name]

[EdgarZamora]

How about just good old VMS Mail and TCPIP SMTP? Works great for me.

[Phil.Howell]

If you have SMTP enabled...
You may also have to look at your gateway definitions and MX records in your networking configuration, however something like this should work

$ mail/subject="whatever" message.txt "smtp%name@domain"

Phil

[John T. Farmer]

Simple is great for me. How to I verify the TCP/IP stack and whether SMTP is enabled. I suspect one of these is not configured correctly, as some mail examples I've tried do not work. Command like Mail/Subject="my message" NL: smtp%"name@domain.com" returns the error

%MAIL-E-ERRACTRNS, error activating transport SMTP
%LIB-E-ACTIMAGE, error activating image CLIAXP$DKA0:[SYS0.SYSCOMMON.][SYSLIB]SMTP_MAILSHR.EXE;
-RMS-E-FNF, file not found

So I assume the SMTP_MailShr.exe process is not installed. Is that part of VMS, the TCP/IP stack or other?

Thanks,

John

[Phil.Howell]

This is how it should look

_TNA120:tcpip show config smtp

SMTP Configuration
Options
Initial interval: 0 00:30:00.00 Address_max: 16 NOEIGHT_BIT
Retry interval: 0 01:00:00.00 Hop_count_max: 16 RELAY
Maximum interval: 3 00:00:00.00 TOP_HEADERS

Timeout Initial Mail Receipt Data Terminate
Send: 5 5 5 3 10
Receive: 5

Alternate gateway: xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
General gateway: not defined

Substitute domain: not defined
Zone: not defined

Postmaster: TCPIP$SMTP
Log file: SYS$SPECIFIC:[TCPIP$SMTP]TCPIP$SMTP_LOGFILE.LOG

Generic queue Queues Participating nodes

TCPIP$SMTP_C22_00 1 C22
_TNA120:

If it is not enabled, you will have to run
Directory SYS$COMMON:[SYSMGR]

TCPIP$SMTP_STARTUP.COM;6


Phil

[Ziggy Filek]

If you want to find out what network protocols are running, simply type:
$ show network
Something like that should show up:

Product: DECNET Node: HNAC Address(es): 1.3
Product: TCP/IP Node: HNAC.northernhealth.ca Address(es): 10.171.2.7
$

Assuming you are using TCP/IP services for OpenVMS, you can say
$ TCPIP
TCPIP> SHOW MAIL ...

to monitor your mail service. The SMTP protocol is not enabled by default. To enable it, use:
$ @sys$manager:TCPIP$CONFIG

Then select option 2 (client components) from the menu. Then select option 6 (SMTP) from the next menu to enable and start it.

Good luck!

Ziggy

[Wim Van den Wyngaert]

Once SMTP is working on VMS, you can send files as an attachment. You can use my enclosed procedure (based on the Ratkinson procedure).

You only have to modify logical names (or define them) and modify alarm reporting (check for the word WMS).

If you want to mail old style reports (esp. with width larger than 132) the PDF option is handy but requires the freeware program txt2pdf in a modified form (see other thread where I posted the changes).

Wim

[Martin Vorlaender · Accepted solution]

John,

simple procedure to enable SMTP:

- identifiy an SMTP server that will accept mails from your VMS box (e.g. the Exchange server)

- log into a privileged account

- $ TCPIP SET CONFIG SMTP -
/GATEWAY=ALTERNATE=smtp_server -
/ZONE=hostname_of_your_vms_box

That way, all mail that's not directed at your VMS box is sent to the SMTP server.

- $ @SYS$MANAGER:TCPIP$CONFIG.COM
In the Client Components (item 2), choose SMTP, then choose "Enable and start service"

You should now be ready to send mails via SMTP, e.g.

$ MAIL/SUBJECT="Test" NL: "a@mail.address"

In older VMS versions, you'd have to prefix the recipient address with "SMTP%" (without the quotes).

HTH,
Martin

[Robert Atkinson]

John, you might also want to have a look at these threads :-

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1075329

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1001087

Rob.

[John T. Farmer]

SHOW MAIL in TCPIP indicates the TCPIP$SMTP_MAILSHR.EXE image is not installed. Is that something where HP Support (via our support contract) would help, or are we on our own to get it "installed"?

I am a developer, and haven't done any VMS software installations. I'm sure I can get more than enough instruction from this forum, just don't want to be a pest, as I would require MUCH guidance. So, we need to start with getting the SMTP stuff installed, then the config questions will start.

Is there a good HP reference/doc on the SMTP subject, that you can point me to?

Also, being behind on vms versions doesn't help matters. We have planned to get more current in first qtr 2007.

Thanks,

John

[Robert Atkinson]

John, it's probably simply because you haven't started the SMTP service.

Run SYS$MANAGER:TCPIP$CONFIG, and select option 2 - Client Components, then option 6 - SMTP.

Choose to enable and start the service.

Rob.

[Steven Schweda]

> SHOW MAIL in TCPIP indicates the
> TCPIP$SMTP_MAILSHR.EXE image is not
> installed. Is that something where HP
> Support (via our support contract) would
> help, or are we on our own to get it
> "installed"?

Well, yes, but ...

> $ @sys$manager:TCPIP$CONFIG

Still worth a try.

> Is there a good HP reference/doc on the
> SMTP subject, that you can point me to?

Start with TCPIP SHOW VERSION, then deviate
accordingly:

http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/index.html
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/tcpip56.html
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/tcpip53.html (?)
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/73final/6526/6526pro.HTML

Or wander around a little in that
neighborhood.

[Martin Vorlaender]

John,

>>>
SHOW MAIL in TCPIP indicates the TCPIP$SMTP_MAILSHR.EXE image is not installed. Is that something where HP Support (via our support contract) would help, or are we on our own to get it "installed"?
<<<

I think you mis-interpret the meaning of "installed" here. It does not have to do with software installation. Look for yourself: I'm sure the file SYS$SHARE:TCPIP$SMTP_MAILSHR.EXE is already there.

>>>
So, we need to start with getting the SMTP stuff installed, then the config questions will start.
<<<

Okay, let's assume SMTP already is installed (it is - trust me ;-).

So, start configuring by follow my config procedure posted above.

HTH,
Martin

[John T. Farmer]

Hi folks,

Yes, you were correct. The SMTP service was DISABLED. I ENABLED/STARTED the service. I am trying to locate the IP address of the corporate SMTP server. The value I had for SET CONFIG was not correct, so the mail messages are bouncing back... But we've made progress!!! Will update you all when I get and try that info.

Thanks,

John

[Steven Schweda]

You can get some hints from

nslookup -type=mx genworth.com

but it's really a question for your corporate
network folks, who may have some other ideas.

[Jorge Cocomess]

Hi,

You'll need to get on the SMTP server and allow your VMS server have the ability to relaying messages through, especially the Exchange server.

Jorge

[John T. Farmer]

Hi,

Was able to locate an SMTP server on the network, set smtp config, as noted above, and successfully sent and email from VMS to my exchange email, and to my cell phone (text message). There may be a few other tweaks as I learn more, but I reached my goal. Thanks for all the wonderful help on the subject.

John

[John T. Farmer]

Wim,

I didn't see your "Enclosed Procedure" for email attachments. Is that in another thread?

Thanks,

John

[John T. Farmer]

Thanks to all the help in getting our VMS-Mail/Email configured. SMTP configuration directions were invaluable. The system is able to send basic email messages for on-call trouble-notification purposes.

Thanks,

John