How do I configure SMTP for Offline testing? (configuring my mailserver)

[bearaman]

Hi All,
I have EasyPHP (Apache, PHP, MySQL) running on my Windows XP Proffessional machine. I've installed IIS and I'd like to configure the SMTP Server to receive mail so that when a mail or newsletter is sent from my zen-cart, I can see what the result looks like.
Is it possible to do this offline?
If so, what are the settings I need to use?
I'd like to do all my Email testing offline before going live.
Thanks for your time and support,
Bearaman

[DrByte]

Simply set up all your SMTP details in Admin->Configuration->Email Options.

Your biggest challenge will be in getting past port 25 being blocked by your ISP, unless you're planning to use your ISP's mailserver.


So ... change Email Transport to smtp or smtpauth and then fill in all the smtp settings at the bottom of the list.

[bearaman]

DrByte,
Thanks for your prompt reply. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. What I want to do is to test the email functions on my dev machine without connecting to the internet. Is this even possible?
Thanks again,
Bearaman

[DrByte]

Only possible if you install a mailserver engine of some sort on your dev machine and configure the cart to talk to it. If it's a windows machine, you can google for windows mail server for numerous tools. Then set your offline Zen Cart to use "localhost", assuming the mailserver is on the same PC as the webserver.

[bearaman]

SMTP Server comes with IIS on XP Pro. Could I use this or better to use a PHP mail server? All I want it to do is to receive my zen-cart mails so I see that it's all working. Thanks.

[DrByte]

It may work fine.
Just configure Zen Cart's email settings as I mentioned above.

Oh ... and for SMTP, set your Email Linefeed as recommended in the help text on that same screen.

[bearaman]

Right, after a bit of research, I think the question I should have asked was how do I confingure a POP3 server to receive my zen mails. Correct me if I'm wrong but Zen comes with SendMail and my EasyPHP has a mail server so the sending of the mails should work fine.
All I need to do is to figure out what to install/configure in order to receive them on my local machine. Remember, I'm not connected to the web and I'm not using an ISP. I want to test the send/receive mail functions entirely on my dev machine first.
Thanks,
Bearaman

[seethrou]

Right, after a bit of research, I think the question I should have asked was how do I confingure a POP3 server to receive my zen mails. Correct me if I'm wrong but Zen comes with SendMail and my EasyPHP has a mail server so the sending of the mails should work fine.

For Zen Cart can send mail by using the SendMail or SMTP, however it is only the client side.
For your requirement, you should have two server applications.
1. for mail sending, a SendMail Server or a SMTP Server should be installed.
2. for mail receiving, at less a POP3 Server or related should be installed.
3. also for reading mail, you need a mail client, e.g. Thunderbird, Outlook Express ..

All I need to do is to figure out what to install/configure in order to receive them on my local machine. Remember, I'm not connected to the web and I'm not using an ISP. I want to test the send/receive mail functions entirely on my dev machine first.

For this point, Zen Cart is not related for it only send out the mail and nothing more.

You should google it as DrByte suggested at above, for how to set your Mail Send Server talk and handshaking to your Mail Receive Server in the same machine. Then create the mail accounts for your own use.
After that use a mail client, e.g. Thunderbird or Outlook Express to read the mails in your mail account.

Mind you, unless you are isolated and without any internet connection or want to experiment with networkings. Otherwise, a mail account for testing or for normal use is usually free and only less than a minute to apply.
Think that, why not simplify it and save the strength and focus on what is worth.

[redxiii]

Download PostCast Server Free Edition.
Install.
Run and access Settings.
Hostname should be your computer name or IP address.
Server Port should be 25.
DNS server... well, it may not be needed at the moment.
Press OK and don't close the window.

Check Email Options in ZenCart's Configuration.

E-Mail Transport Method		smtp
SMTP Email Account Mailbox 	(leave blank)
SMTP Email Account Password 	(leave blank)
SMTP Email Mail Host 		(your computer name or IP address)
SMTP Email Mail Server Port 	25

Do your normal ZenCart activity involving sending emails.
The emails will be delivered there, no matter the sender and receiver.
That way, you can also know where they exactly go.
And view the contents, of course.

If you want to continue to send them to their respective recipients, just press Start in the PostCast window.

[seethrou]

With refer to the original poster's msgs,
it seem need both of the SMTP Server and POP3 Server in a local machine.
That may not recommended.

If for send mail for EasyPHP, don't have experience with it and no comment for smtp option for the package.

But FYI, the XAMPP for Windows bundled with smtp server, the Mercury Mail Transport System.

For send mail in local win pc or notebook, the below may be easier.
http://www.softstack.com/freesmtp.html
file size 766 KB, less than a minute to easy install, configure and forget about it. By pass POP3 block from ISP, can change port other than 25.

A topic in the archive for reference with further info.
How To Simulate Sending Email During Development

With the above setup, the sending, receiving and the results only within 5 seconds or less at last night. While for the traces and tests of the mod of Order Confirmations.