If there is one common problem among clients it is issues related to ports, both for sending and receiving email. And the situation can be maddening — yes, for clients and for our technicians too.
Choosing the wrong port is a recipe for problems. So let's clear up any doubts about which port to use to send email.
What is SMTP?
Your hosting has an SMTP server (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). In short, it is the service that allows you to send email with all the right guarantees.
If you want your emails to reach their recipients, this service is key. And it doesn't matter who wants to send email, whether it's you or your website. Always use SMTP so your emails reach their destination.
This service is associated with a domain name. If you don't know what your SMTP server is, you should start by clarifying that. If you host with Bacan.com, your server will be your domain name preceded by "mail."
And another piece of data you'll need is the port, and that's why we're here.
What is a port and what is it for?
I like to compare ports to roads. So a port is like a road, where only one type of information travels. If you want to send an email, you'll need to use the correct "port" (road) for the mail to arrive at its destination without problems.
Ports are identified by numbers. That's why, on the internet, many numbers are used associated with services through which similar information travels.
What ports can I use to send email?
This service can use different ports and this in itself creates a lot of confusion — and not just confusion, but also problems, since it's possible your hosting or email provider doesn't always have all ports available.
What ports do SMTP servers use?
The generically available ports are:
- 25
- 26
- 465
- 587
- 2525
Port 25:
The oldest port and honestly, it's obsolete. It belongs to an era when data traveled over the internet unencrypted (a very bad idea) and our recommendation is NOT to use port 25, regardless of whether the port is open or closed.
Port 26:
In many cases, port 25 is closed by internet providers. And it's common to use port 26 as a substitute for port 25. Just as we didn't recommend port 25, we don't recommend port 26 either — we'd only use it as a last resort.
Port 465:
Another old one, but much more secure. Why? Because port 465 was the one used in the past for encrypted email sending. It's an alternative, but not your first choice.
This port is currently assigned to Cisco's URD protocol.
Port 587:
This is THE GOOD ONE and the one you should use whenever possible. It supports TLS so your emails travel completely securely. It's the port specified by the current protocol and should always be your first choice.
Port 2525:
It's an unusual port, rarely used, but some providers have it open as an alternative to port 587. As far as we can see, only Google Cloud Computing uses it alternatively. Unless your site is on GCC, this is not the port to start with.
What ports can you use at Bacan?
The ports available with your hosting account are:
- 25
- 465
- 587
What if I use these ports and still can't send email?
In that case... we're at your service in our support system. Write to us at ayuda@Bacan.com and we'll find a solution for your problem.