UAB does not allow open, unauthenticated access to its SMTP (e-mail delivery) servers from outside the campus network, for relaying messages to non-UAB addresses. Open servers are easy targets for unscrupulous persons to send thousands of unsolicited e-mails around the world (i.e., spamming), and many sites block e-mail from servers which allow spam to be sent. Therefore, unless UAB prevents unauthorized use of its systems for this purpose, it risks being unable to send legitimate e-mail to many places.
If you are using an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to access the network, they probably supply an SMTP server which you can use while connected through their service. That may be the most convenient option if your computer is primarily used from off-campus, but might not be practical if you also connect through the campus network, since ISPs usually block outside access to their servers for the same reasons mentioned above.
If you are an active UAB employee or student, and need an SMTP server which can be used for sending to non-UAB addresses from either on- or off-campus, then you can utilize the relay.ad.uab.edu server. This server requires some specific settings be entered into your e-mail client, and you will need to supply your BlazerID and password to authenticate. A major benefit of this relay is that it secures your e-mail transmission so that sensitive and private information in your messages cannot be snooped.
The basic info you need to set in your e-mail client:
- Outgoing SMTP server: relay.ad.uab.edu
- Port: 587
- Use secure connection: Yes, TLS
- User name for connect: enter your BlazerID
If you have any other questions about or problems with this process, please contact the AskIT Helpdesk at 205-996-5555 or send e-mail to AskIT@uab.edu (you may send to this mailbox without being authenticated).