SMTP Gateway
What is SMTP?
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol for sending email. It's the postal system for electronic mail. SMTP is the technology that routes an email from the sender's mail server to the recipient's. Connecting the agency's own SMTP server to eCourtDate sends notifications through the agency's existing email infrastructure rather than using eCourtDate's default email delivery.
This section describes the anticipated SMTP gateway configuration. Details may change. Verify with eCourtDate support.
The SMTP gateway enables email delivery through the agency's own mail server or a third-party SMTP provider. This allows the agency to send notifications using the existing email infrastructure.
Configuration
The following fields are anticipated for SMTP gateway configuration:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| SMTP Host | Hostname of the SMTP server | smtp.example.com |
| Port | SMTP port number (587 is the standard for modern email submission; 465 is used for legacy SSL connections; 25 is used for server-to-server relay) | 25, 465, 587 |
| Username | SMTP authentication username | user@example.com |
| Password | SMTP authentication password | - |
| Encryption | Connection encryption method | TLS, SSL, None |
| From Address | Sender email address | notifications@agency.gov |
| From Name | Sender display name | Agency Notifications |
Use Cases
- Agency email infrastructure: Send notifications through the agency's own mail servers to comply with internal IT policies.
- Email routing compliance: Meet requirements that mandate email be sent from specific domains or through approved mail servers.
- Third-party SMTP providers: Use services like Amazon SES, SendGrid, or Mailgun through their SMTP interfaces.
Benefits
- Use existing infrastructure: Use mail servers the agency already manages and maintains.
- Maintain sending reputation: Messages are sent from the domain, preserving the email deliverability reputation.
- Full control: Manage bounce handling, SPF/DKIM records, and other email authentication through the agency's own systems.
Setup
To configure an SMTP gateway, navigate to the gateway settings in the eCourtDate Console and provide the SMTP server details.
For troubleshooting SMTP gateway issues, see Gateway Troubleshooting.