RE: firewall & proxy server -- MIDRANGE-L

I've offered this opinion many times before...the OS/400 SMTP server
does not make a good business mail server for all the reasons you
mention - unless of course everyone in the firm is on a green screen
using office vision :-( . MS Exchange is way ahead in terms of
functionality, ease of use and speed. Hey, sometimes you've got to give
Microsoft their due. Once the mail server is configured and running it's
very reliable - just don't start loading other apps on the same server.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Murphy [SMTP:murphy_d@OSCAR.OSSC.STATE.OR.US]
> Sent: Monday, July 12, 1999 1:49 PM
> To:   'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
> Subject:      RE: firewall & proxy server
> 
> I'd like to respond to this question if I may.
> 
> First let me say that we're on V4R1; we'll be going to V4R3 shortly.
> This may (or may not) clear up some problems we've had. Our desktop
> client is Outlook 97.  We've decided to look at Exchange Server
> because we've heard it's very stable and reliable plus has good
> administrative tools. 
> 
> I thought that setting up and configuring the AS40 for email was
> pretty simple and straightforward.  The TCP/IP manual did a good job
> of describing this procedure. What the TCP/IP manual doesn't do is
> explain how all these components work together, what all those running
> jobs are and what they're doing, and it doesn't have anything on
> troubleshooting. 
> 
> For the most part, I would have to say that the AS400 makes a pretty
> reliable mail server--most of the time. It's those times when it
> isn't--and there seems to be little we can do about it--which gives us
> headaches. 
> 
> Often it's just a random user not getting their mail. Checking their
> mailbox may show a bunch of messages piled up that are not getting
> delivered. We don't know why they're hung up or how to fix it. 
> 
> Occasionally, nobody will be able to send mail. When they try it comes
> back undeliverable with a message from QGATE (whatever that is)
> saying, "Host xxxxx not able to resolve recipient's address" even
> though the address is a known good one.
> 
> Another problem we've had is with receiving attachments--sometimes
> they work, sometime they don't. Usually, the 400 doesn't receive
> graphics file or .EXE files correctly. Sometimes I'll get a report of
> a user not being able to open a Word doc they received. This is pretty
> serious since we get quite a few important documents via email.
> Sending attachments seems to work fine.
> 
> The main complaint that I have is the apparent lack of useful and
> helpful troubleshooting tools for problems when they do crop up.  When
> a problem occurs, there are few documented steps or procedures (that
> I've been able to find) you can follow you find and correct the
> problems. This list, which is a fine resource on some topics, wasn't
> able to answer my questions about mail.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-midrange-l@midrange.com  On Behalf Of Robert Kraai
> Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 1999 1:40 PM
> To:   'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
> Subject:      RE: firewall & proxy server
> 
> I'd be interested in knowing why you are changing.  We are just
> getting 
> ready to implement one of our AS/400s as an email server as well as
> the 
> host of your web site.  Is there something that I should know??
> ---Bob Kraai
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brown, Camille [SMTP:cbrown@che400.state.sc.us]
> Sent: Thursday, July 01, 1999 2:22 PM
> To:   'midrange-l@midrange.com'
> Subject:      firewall & proxy server
> 
> We have the firewall product installed on our AS/400.  It's working
> fine 
> but . . . here's the catch.  The AS/400 has been acting as a pop
> server, 
> and we're now going to be moving the mail to an Exchange Server.
> Also, 
> we're in a token ring environment and are in the process of switching
> to 
> ethernet.  We are a small shop, and I find that in making these
> changes, it 
> requires extensive re-configuration of the firewall product.  I'd like
> to 
> explore some options--one of which I've been told is Microsoft Proxy 
> Server, since we use an NT Server or biting the bullet and keeping the
> 
> AS/400 firewall in place.  Any thoughts?  I'd really appreciate it.
> 
> Thank you very much, Camille Brown
> 
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