For exchanging electronic mail (e-mail) with users working on internet hosts, the DIGITAL TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS product includes Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and Post Office Protocol (POP) software.

What You Can Do

The following table lists the SMTP electronic mail services you can perform and the sections that explain how to use them.

Capability	Section
Send mail to users on other internet hosts	5.2
Send mail to multiple users, with and without distribution lists	5.3
Receive mail from users on other internet hosts	5.4
Set a "personal" name	5.5
Create a carbon copy of your messages	5.6
Forward messages	5.7
Use the UNIX to UNIX copy program (UUCP) to send mail	5.8
Use your PC mail software to receive and send messages	5.10
Get status information about SMTP mail	5.9.1
Remove holding state mail messages from SMTP queues	5.9.2
Requeue holding state mail messages for delivery	5.9.3

What You Need

To use the DIGITAL TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS mail services, you need the following:

• Knowledge of the OpenVMS Mail utility
• User names and IP addresses of the people to whom you want to send mail

You can obtain online help for DIGITAL TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS electronic mail by entering the following command:

$ HELP TCPIP_SERVICES SMTP

5.2 Sending Mail

To send e-mail to another internet host also running SMTP, simply invoke the OpenVMS Mail utility at the DCL prompt, type SEND at the MAIL> prompt, and enter the destination. A remote destination consists of the user name followed by an ampersand (@) and the host (such as user_name@host). If the user is on your local host, omit the ampersand (@) and host name.

$ MAIL MAIL> SEND To: destination_user@destination_host

Specify the destination host as either a host name or an IP address. The following example sends mail to user MALCOLM at host PHILOS.BU.EDU:

$ MAIL MAIL> SEND [Return] To: malcolm@philos.bu.edu [Return] Subj: Final Exams[Return]

The following example sends mail to user MALCOLM at the host with IP address 16.20.40.59:

$ MAIL MAIL> SEND [Return] To: malcolm@16.20.40.59 [Return] Subj: Final Exams[Return]

The OpenVMS Mail utility automatically detects destination addresses that include fully qualified host names (where the node component includes a period (.), such as MALCOLM@PHILOS.BU.EDU) and sends the mail using the SMTP protocol, unless your system has been set up to use a different Internet protocol (by defining an alternate protocol with the MAIL$INTERNET_TRANSPORT logical name).

However, if you use a destination address that is not fully qualified --- that is, one in which the node component does not include a period (.) --- the Mail utility by default assumes the address is a DECnet address. For example, if you specified MALCOLM@PHILOS as the destination address, the Mail utility converts it to the DECnet format PHILOS::MALCOLM.

You can force the OpenVMS Mail utility to use a specific protocol by defining the MAIL$INTERNET_MODE logical name. This is useful in cases where a mail address, such as MALCOLM@PHILOS, can be valid for either SMTP or DECnet.

You can assign one of the following values to the MAIL$INTERNET_MODE logical name:

• SMTP
  Mail always interprets the node component of an unqualified address as an Internet address specification. (SMTP is the default mode unless you define an alternate Internet transport with the MAIL$INTERNET_TRANSPORT logical name.)
• DECNET
  Mail always interprets the node component of an unqualified address as a DECnet node specification.
• HYBRID (the default)
  Mail uses an Internet protocol if the node component of the address contains a period. If no periods are in the node component, Mail uses the DECnet protocol.

Define the logical name in your LOGIN.COM file. For example, the following definition causes the Mail utility to interpret any address that does not include a period in the node component of the specification as an Internet address:

$ DEFINE MAIL$INTERNET_MODE SMTP

Another way to force the OpenVMS Mail utility to use SMTP is to include the SMTP% prefix. At the To: prompt, type SMTP% and, with no space, either the destination name or IP address. Enclose the destination in quotation marks, as in the following example:

$ MAIL MAIL> SEND To: SMTP%"malcolm@philos"

So, if you want to prevent the OpenVMS Mail utility from automatically converting an unqualified Internet host name address to a format for DECnet use, you have three choices:

• Fully qualify the host name (for example, specify MALCOLM@PHILOS.BU.EDU instead of MALCOLM@PHILOS).
• Define the MAIL$INTERNET_MODE logical name as SMTP.
• Include the SMTP% prefix and the destination address in quotation marks (for example, SMTP%"MALCOLM@PHILOS.BU.EDU").

For more information on the OpenVMS Mail utility and how it interprets addresses, see the appropriate OpenVMS documentation.

5.3 Sending Mail to Multiple Users

To send mail to more than one user, use the SEND command as discussed in the previous section, but at the To: prompt type one of the following:

• A list of names ( Section 5.3.1)
• The name of an existing distribution list ( Section 5.3.2)

When you type a list of names, use the following guidelines:

• Separate each name with a comma ( , ).
• If multiple users are on the same remote host, type the full user_name@host combination for each user.
• If a user is on your local host, omit the ampersand (@) and host.

Use the following syntax:

MAIL> SEND To: user1,user2,user3@host3,user4@host4

where:

• user1 is located at the local OpenVMS system.
• user2 is located at the local OpenVMS system.
• user3 is located at host3.
• user4 is located at host4.

MAIL> SEND To: user1@host5,user2@host5

In this example, both users are located at remote host5.

The following example sends the same mail to:

• Users NOWAK and BRENT on host CENTRAL.GREEN.ORG
• User MILLER on host BOSTON.GREEN.ORG

MAIL> SEND MEETINGS.TXT To: NOWAK@CENTRAL.GREEN.ORG,BRENT@CENTRAL.GREEN.ORG, MILLER@BOSTON.GREEN.ORG Subj: SCHEDULE AND AGENDAS

5.3.2 Distribution Lists

To send mail to multiple users by entering the name of a distribution list, follow these guidelines:

• The file with the distribution list can be yours or belong to someone else.
• The file can reside locally or remotely.
• Do not include the names of other distribution lists in the distribution list.

You can use two kinds of distribution lists:

• OpenVMS distribution list
  • Create a .DIS file in your own directory or use an existing one.
  • You can include comment lines (lines preceded by an exclamation mark (!)).
  • You can include both OpenVMS addresses and SMTP addresses. If you want the Mail utility to use SMTP for all SMTP addresses, qualified and unqualified, either set the MAIL$INTERNET_MODE logical name to SMTP, specify fully qualified SMTP addresses only, or use the SMTP% prefix with the destination enclosed in quotation marks.
  • To send mail to the people on your distribution list, enter:

    MAIL> SEND To: @list_name

• SMTP distribution list
  • Create, or use an existing, .DIS file in SYS$SPECIFIC:[TCPIP$SMTP] or, if defined on your system, TCPIP$SMTP_COMMON:.
  • Give the list a unique name that is not the same as a local user name.
  • Specify comment lines with an exclamation mark (!) in the first column.
  • Include only SMTP addresses.
  • Use one address per line.
  • To send mail to the people on this distribution list, enter the following command:

    MAIL> SEND To: list_name@host_where_list_resides

    
    If the MAIL$INTERNET_MODE logical name is not set to SMTP, specify a fully qualified host name or use the SMTP% prefix with quotation marks enclosing the distribution list/host specification.

The following examples show some different methods of using distribution lists.

1. This example sends mail to users whose names are on the local OpenVMS distribution list AGENCIES.DIS. The distribution list file is displayed in this example. The MAIL$INTERNET_MODE logical name is not set, so by default unqualified Internet addresses would be sent over DECnet; therefore, the AUDUBON@NY address is included with the SMTP% prefix and quotation marks.

   $ TYPE AGENCIES.DIS ! ! This is an OpenVMS distribution file named AGENCIES.DIS. ! SMTP%"audubon@ny" WILLIAMS@BELTWAY.ORG WILDLIFE@DALLAS.ORG jmuir@19.8.7.6 SEC@GP.INTER8.ORG BATES::SCOPE ! $ MAIL MAIL> SEND To: @AGENCIES.DIS Subj: NEWS TO WATCH FOR

2. This example sends mail to users whose names are on the local SMTP distribution list SYS$SPECIFIC:[TCPIP$SMTP]NATL_INTEREST.DIS. The distribution list file is displayed in this example.

   $ TYPE NATL_INTEREST.DIS green@19.8.7.6 wlf@19.7.6.5 arlo@19.4.3.2 free::monicaL wendell@biolo.ne.edu $ MAIL MAIL> SEND To: natl_interest@main_office.org Subj: News Items

3. This example sends mail to the users on SMTP distribution list FINANCE_CENTERS.DIS, which is maintained on remote mail server host HOLBROOK.

   $ TYPE FINANCE_CENTERS.DIS ny_accts@23.9.7.4 sf_stocks@23.7.11.2 dallas_pfs@23.1.5.1 denver_accts@holbrook $ MAIL MAIL> SEND To: finance_centers@holbrook Subj: Portfolio Activity

To read received mail, follow these steps:

1. At the DCL prompt, type MAIL.
2. At the MAIL> prompt, use the DIRECTORY command to view a list of received messages.
3. Use the READ command or indicate the message number you want to view in exactly the same way as you would for OpenVMS mail.

In the following example, a user views the directory of unread new mail and selects Message 3 to read.

$ MAIL You have 3 new messages. MAIL> DIRECTORY NEWMAIL # From Date Subject 1 GWAY::SMTP%"helenm@bhc 10-MAR-1998 Just Checking In 2 GWAY::SMTP%"mays@sfg 11-MAR-1998 Common Bases 3 CBIRD::SMTP%"seaway 12-MAR-1998 Cruises MAIL> 3

5.5 OpenVMS Mail Personal Name String

You can define a "personal name" string that is included at the top of all the mail messages you send. To create a personal name with SMTP mail, use the SET PERSONAL_NAME command with the following restrictions:

• Enclose the string in quotation marks.
• Do not use additional double quotation marks within the string.
• You may use single quotation marks ( ' ' ).
• Do not use 8-bit ASCII characters, for example, ä or ö. The eighth bit is truncated. For example, ä becomes d and ö becomes v.

The following example shows a user setting a personal name that includes quotation marks:

$ MAIL MAIL> SET PERSONAL_NAME "'Wellth' is in the mind"

5.6 Carbon-Copying Messages

You can enable "carbon copying" by using the SET CC-PROMPT command. Follow these guidelines when you specify destinations for the CC: prompt:

• Follow the OpenVMS Mail conventions for copying mail to other people or to yourself.
• For entring the correct address, follow the guidelines listed in Section 5.2.

The following example sends mail to user AL and carbon copies users ROLLINS, BOND, and RICH:

MAIL> SEND To: al@airways CC: rollins,bond,rich@flight_central.com Subj: Directions for Night Flight

In the following example, OpenVMS user BRODIE sends mail to UNIX user owens and copies soltau.

MAIL> SET CC_PROMPT MAIL> SEND To: owens@kezar CC: soltau@fgtoo.bonkers.org Subj: Goals for the Week Enter your message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete, or CTRL/C to quit: RC: Let's get a jump on the ball this time. We'll meet before the conference to organize. - J.B.[Ctrl/Z] (not echoed) [Exit]

5.7 Forwarding Messages

You can forward any mail you receive to any internet host. Follow the OpenVMS Mail conventions for forwarding mail.

If you move to another system that supports SMTP, SMTP can forward your mail to your new location. When you set this features, type the new address within three sets of quotation marks.

Use the following syntax:

MAIL> SET FORWARD _Address:SMTP%"""new_user_name@forwarding_host"""

In the following example, user CYGNET sets automatic SMTP forwarding from host NOW to user ELLIS at host FUTURE:

MAIL> SET FORWARD /USER=now::cygnet _Address: SMTP%"""ellis@future"""

5.8 Using the UNIX to UNIX Copy Program

The UNIX to UNIX Copy Program (UUCP) lets a system copy files to and from other systems running UUCP. UUCP is usually used to copy files over a dialup connection (see Section 5.8.1).

To route mail using UUCP, ask your system manager to define the general gateway in the SMTP configuration.

To use SMTP to route mail to a system running UUCP, address the mail as follows:

MAIL> SEND To: SMTP%"user_name!uucp_host"

The following example sends mail to geoffrey at host haldir:

$ MAIL MAIL> SEND To: SMTP%"geoffrey!haldir.of.com"

5.8.1 Dialup Connections

Ask your system manager if you need to specify a gateway host in mail addresses when you work on UNIX to UNIX Copy Program (UUCP) dialup lines.

The following example sends mail during a dialup connection by specifying a gateway host:

MAIL> SEND To: gateway_host!crandle!watts CC: billw,jenny,ibis Subj: Events Schedule

5.9 Management Commands for Mail

You can use the management commands described in Table 5-1 to help you work with SMTP mail messages currently in a queue. Type these commands at the TCPIP> prompt.

Table 5-1 Commands for Using SMTP

Command	Function
SHOW MAIL	Displays information about mail
REMOVE MAIL	Deletes mail messages that are in holding state in SMTP queues
SEND MAIL	Releases for delivery a mail message that is in a holding state

The following subsections describe how to use these commands. For full command descriptions, see the DIGITAL TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Management Command Reference.

5.9.1 Displaying SMTP Mail Status Information

Use the SHOW MAIL command to display information about SMTP mail, such as:

• Message (entry) number of the queued mail
• User name of the sender (to display information about other users, you need SYSPRV or BYPASS privileges)
• File name of the queued mail
• Status of a message

The following examples show how to display SMTP mail status information.

1. The following command displays information about message 826 in an SMTP queue. By default, the command returns brief information. Specify /FULL for more detailed information, as in the example that follows.

   $ TCPIP SHOW MAIL /ENTRY=826 SMTP Mail Queue Entry 826 User: MARLOW File: _PLUTO$DKD0:[MARLOW]970207015114579_MARLOW.TCPIP_PLUTO;1 Status: Processing

2. The following command displays detailed information about all your mail. The /RECIPIENT qualifier, used with the /FULL qualifier, displays selected classes of information, depending on the =option value you specify:

   Option	Description
   ALL	Shows failed, sent, and unsent messages
   FAILED	Shows messages that could not be read for a particular recipient
   SENT	Shows successful deliveries to a particular recipient
   UNSENT	Shows messages that, as yet, are unsent

   $ TCPIP TCPIP> SHOW MAIL /FULL /RECIPIENT=ALL SMTP Mail Queue Entry: 826 User: MARLOW File: _PLUTO$DKD0:[MARLOW]970207015114579_MARLOW.TCPIP_PLUTO;1 Status: Processing Message Destinations: Address: marlow@pluto Message Headers: Return Path: ??? SMTP Mail Queue Entry: 828 User: MARLOW File: _PLUTO$DKD0:[MARLOW]970207015114580_MARLOW.TCPIP_PLUTO;1 Status: Holding Message Destinations: Address: marlow@pluto Message Headers: Return Path: ???

The following examples show how to delete mail messages from SMTP queues, using the TCPIP REMOVE command (similar to the DCL DELETE/ENTRY command).

1. The following example deletes mail message 828, a message that is holding (the message corresponds to your process's user name, or you have SYSPRV or BYPASS privileges). You are prompted to confirm that you want the message deleted.

   $ TCPIP REMOVE MAIL /ENTRY=828 _PLUTO$DKD0:[MARLOW]970207015114580_MARLOW.TCPIP_PLUTO;1? y

2. This next example removes all messages for your process's user name, or deletes everything in the SMTP queue if you have either SYSPRV or BYPASS privileges. The /NOCONFIRM qualifier prevents DIGITAL TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS from prompting you for confirmation. Before deletion, DIGITAL TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS copies this queued mail to the specified directory.

   $ TCPIP REMOVE MAIL /NOCONFIRM /COPY=[MARLOW.OLD_MAIL]