Add an SMTP server in the SolarWinds Platform

You must add and configure a designated SMTP server if you want to complete an email action with any SolarWinds Platform product.

1. Log in to the SolarWinds Platform Web Console as an administrator.

2. Click Settings > All Settings in the menu bar.

3. In the Alerts & Reports grouping, click Manage SMTP Servers.

4. Click Add SMTP Server.

5. Select a SMTP Client.

   A SMTP client is an application that communicates with your SMTP server and initiates sending emails. Select a supported client:

   • MailBee (default): The default SMTP client that supports most modern security protocols and standards. It works with all modern SMTP servers.

     If you select MailBee, you can use extended SMTP options, such as no chunking, no size, no DSN (Deliver Status Notification), or Classic SMTP Mode.

     Suitable for most customers with standard SMTP server configurations.

   • Native: Based on native MS .NET code sources. This client has less strict checks, might not be suitable for modern security protocols.

     Works with many SMTP servers, suitable if your SMTP server has a specific or invalid configuration.

   • CDO (Collaboration Data Objects): Old client to support old SMTP servers, doesn't support TLS. Using CDO, you can create, configure and send messages through SMTP servers. Largely deprecated by Microsoft

   • OAuth2.0 EWS: Used to access Microsoft Exchange servers over the Exchange Web Services (EWS) protocol using OAuth2.0 tokens. If you select this client, provide further authentication details in the authentication drop-down, such as Client Secret, or Client ID.

6. Provide the Hostname or IP Address of your SMTP Server and the designated SMTP Port Number.

   The SMTP server hostname or IP address field is required. You cannot send an email without identifying the SMTP server.

7. If you want to use SSL encryption for your emails, select Use SSL.

   Opting to use SSL automatically changes the SMTP port number to 465.

8. If your SMTP client needs more than the default 100 seconds to send an email (to connect to the SMTP server, establish handshake, validate credentials and send the email), adjust the Email execution time. Extend the setting if you encounter timeout errors.

9. If your SMTP server requires authentication, select This SMTP Server requires Authentication, and provide requested credentials.

   To use OAuth 2.0 for Microsoft Exchange servers, select OAuth 2.0 EWS in the SMTP Client list.

10. Optional: If you have multiple SMTP servers defined, you can select a secondary server that will be used if sending the email via the primary SMTP server fails. The secondary server is used when the email message is re-sent.

11. Click Save.