Alternatives to SQLMail

Hi,

We encountered a situation a few days where our SQLMail stopped working. We are using SQL Server 2000, SP4 and an Exchange Server. Prior to the SQLMail stopping we had experienced problems with our Exchange Server for a period of time.

Researching on the Internet, I've found several explanations that all read:

"The most common cause of this problem is a temporary loss of the network connection to the e-mail server. This problem most often occurs when SQL Mail is configured to use Internet protocols for message delivery, although it can also occur when communicating with a Microsoft Exchange host.

When SQL Mail loses a connection to the e-mail server, the Extended MAPI components display a message that requests user action as to whether or not to continue. This message does not appear on the server because SQL Mail is run from the SQL Server service. Because the message does not appear, there is no way to respond to the message to allow SQL Mail to continue. Even if the network connection becomes available, SQL Mail does not retry the connection.

To work around the problem, you must stop and restart SQL Server."

I believe this is the situation that we encountered. However stopping and restarting SQL Server did not solve the problem. We had to reboot the machine before the SQL Mail started working again. This is a production machine that we don't just want to "reboot at will", so I'm a little concerned about this issue.

My question is - are there any alternatives to using SQLMail? I have stored procedures that call xp_sendmail (and then xp_stopmail) to send email notifications in certain instances. Is there something else that I can/should use in its place? I found a reference that stated "To resolve the problem, update your applications to use Database Mail.", but this was on a SQL Server 2005 page, and apparently Database Mail is not part of SQL Server 2000.

Thanks,
Beth

YES!

The preferred alternative is xp_smtpmail. You 'should' NOT be using MAPI mail with SQL 2000 -for several reasons

Read about it and download from:

Email for SQL Server 2000
http://www.sqldev.net/xp/xpsmtp.htm

|||Is there any article/link that explains why "You 'should' NOT be using MAPI mail with SQL 2000"?

Thanks for the info on xp_smtpmail - I'll take a look at it.
Beth

|||

This first link is from one of the SQL Dev Team members.

http://sqljunkies.com/WebLog/euang/archive/2004/03/16/1617.aspx

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/ArticleID/14116/14116.html?Ad=1

http://www.developersdex.com/sql/message.asp?p=1925&ID=%3C943EC1D1-1E2A-413A-8DF5-A5F919125DD9%40microsoft.com%3E

Top Causes of SQL Server Downtime (Item #2)
http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/40011/sql_server_40011.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3ben-us%3bQ315886

Google? for: sql and server and mapi and problems. You'll probably notice a couple hundred thousand hits...

'nuf said.

Alternatives to Outlook for SQLMail?

I didnt' have good success with
sp_send_cdosysmail. It would send a normal
email but it would choke on an sms email address
like '2125551212@.tomomail.net' or
[2125551212@.tomomail.net] it just throws an error code.
I wound up going with Outlook.
Bryan[vbcol=seagreen]
>--Original Message--
>Hello
>You could also use sp_send_cdosysmail from the KB312839
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
>us;312839&sd=tech
>Carlos Souza
>http://carlos.geekbunker.org
feature.
>.
>
You can bypass SQL Mail and Outlook and use SMTP instead.
You can download a free extended stored procedure that does
this from:
http://www.sqldev.net/xp/xpsmtp.htm
-Sue
On Sat, 31 Jul 2004 23:19:26 -0700, "bmurtha"
<anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
[vbcol=seagreen]
>I didnt' have good success with
>sp_send_cdosysmail. It would send a normal
>email but it would choke on an sms email address
>like '2125551212@.tomomail.net' or
>[2125551212@.tomomail.net] it just throws an error code.
>I wound up going with Outlook.
>Bryan
>feature.

Alternatives to Outlook for SQLMail?

I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
However, when I talk with my system administrators about
placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
still be able to use SQLMail?
Check the free SMTP mail for SQL Server at
http://www.sqldev.net/xp/xpsmtp.htm.
Dejan Sarka, SQL Server MVP
Associate Mentor
Solid Quality Learning
More than just Training
www.SolidQualityLearning.com
"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b65e01c4376e$f28b9260$a501280a@.phx.gbl...
> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
> alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
> intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
> still be able to use SQLMail?

Alternatives to Outlook for SQLMail?

I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
However, when I talk with my system administrators about
placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
still be able to use SQLMail?If you want to just use SQL Mail then it needs to be a mapi
client. However, you don't have to use SQL Mail for emails
on task failures and other email functionality. You can use
smtp and an extended stored procedure that will send mail
via smtp, no mapi. You can download this xp and get more
information at:
http://www.sqldev.net/xp/xpsmtp.htm
I've gone that route at several client sites without any
problems.
-Sue
On Tue, 11 May 2004 08:44:28 -0700, "Scott"
<anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
>task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
>client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
>However, when I talk with my system administrators about
>placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
>they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
>alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
>intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
>still be able to use SQLMail?|||Agree with Sue. XPSMTP is a viable alternative.

Alternatives to MS Outlook MAPI client

I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
However, when I talk with my system administrators about
placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
still be able to use SQLMail?
This will give you some options...
http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/info_no_mapi.asp
Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:b64801c4376e$a48eaac0$a301280a@.phx.gbl...
> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
> alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
> intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
> still be able to use SQLMail?
|||Thanks Tibor for the information. I've downloaded
everything and I've gotten the mailing feature to work.
But when I setup the DBMaint SMTP Alerter I see that it
appears to be working also (through Profiler) but it
never sends an email? Any suggestions?

>--Original Message--
>This will give you some options...
>http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/info_no_mapi.asp
>--
>Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
>http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
>
>"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:b64801c4376e$a48eaac0$a301280a@.phx.gbl...[vbcol=seagreen]
MAPI[vbcol=seagreen]
feature.[vbcol=seagreen]
about[vbcol=seagreen]
and
>
>.
>
|||Do you see and calls to xp_smtp_sendmail in the profiler trace?
Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
<anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:b97601c437a6$fd4876e0$a101280a@.phx.gbl...[vbcol=seagreen]
> Thanks Tibor for the information. I've downloaded
> everything and I've gotten the mailing feature to work.
> But when I setup the DBMaint SMTP Alerter I see that it
> appears to be working also (through Profiler) but it
> never sends an email? Any suggestions?
> message news:b64801c4376e$a48eaac0$a301280a@.phx.gbl...
> MAPI
> feature.
> about
> and
|||Hi Tibor,
Is it possible to use Mozilla Thunderbird instead of
Outlook?

>--Original Message--
>This will give you some options...
>http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/info_no_mapi.asp
>--
>Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
>http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
>
>"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:b64801c4376e$a48eaac0$a301280a@.phx.gbl...[vbcol=seagreen]
MAPI[vbcol=seagreen]
feature.[vbcol=seagreen]
about[vbcol=seagreen]
and
>
>.
>
|||I don't know... Is it MAPI compliant (extended for SQL Mail and Simple for Agent Mail)?
Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:cb9d01c43933$782ff260$a401280a@.phx.gbl...[vbcol=seagreen]
> Hi Tibor,
> Is it possible to use Mozilla Thunderbird instead of
> Outlook?
> message news:b64801c4376e$a48eaac0$a301280a@.phx.gbl...
> MAPI
> feature.
> about
> and
|||I can't find anything that says it is or isn't a MAPI
client. I also can't find anything that shows somebody
using it for SQL Mail and Agent Mail.

>--Original Message--
>I don't know... Is it MAPI compliant (extended for SQL
Mail and Simple for Agent Mail)?
>--
>Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
>http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
>
>"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:cb9d01c43933$782ff260$a401280a@.phx.gbl...[vbcol=seagreen]
on[vbcol=seagreen]
server[vbcol=seagreen]
there
>
>.
>
|||My guess is that it is not MAPI compliant. Just a guess, though...
Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
<anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:d2b901c439c3$b0afe560$a601280a@.phx.gbl...[vbcol=seagreen]
> I can't find anything that says it is or isn't a MAPI
> client. I also can't find anything that shows somebody
> using it for SQL Mail and Agent Mail.
> Mail and Simple for Agent Mail)?

Alternatives to MS Outlook for SQLMail

I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
However, when I talk with my system administrators about
placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
still be able to use SQLMail?
You can use xp_smtp_sendmail from www.sqldev.net
It isn't nearly as integrated as SQL Mail, but by adding a few steps to your
SQL Agent jobs, you can get most of the same functionality. It is very
stable and does exactly what the documentation says it does.
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com
I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org
"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b5e401c4376e$bd66d5e0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...
> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
> alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
> intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
> still be able to use SQLMail?
|||"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b5e401c4376e$bd66d5e0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...

> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security.
do you blame them ? installing Outlook on a database server is nuts ...
|||http://www.aspfaq.com/2403
Aaron Bertrand
SQL Server MVP
http://www.aspfaq.com/
"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b5e401c4376e$bd66d5e0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...
> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
> alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
> intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
> still be able to use SQLMail?
|||"Aaron Bertrand - MVP" <aaron@.TRASHaspfaq.com> wrote in message
news:uF33JP3NEHA.3124@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> http://www.aspfaq.com/2403
Aaron, I'm off-topic here but I notice you have an RSS feed on ASPFAQ; what
client do you recommend ? Thanks ...
|||Should work in pretty much any, I don't have a personal preference...
Aaron Bertrand
SQL Server MVP
http://www.aspfaq.com/
"Liz" <liz@.tiredofspam.com> wrote in message
news:eIpSqv3NEHA.3016@.tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> "Aaron Bertrand - MVP" <aaron@.TRASHaspfaq.com> wrote in message
> news:uF33JP3NEHA.3124@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Aaron, I'm off-topic here but I notice you have an RSS feed on ASPFAQ;
what
> client do you recommend ? Thanks ...
>
>

Alternatives to MS Outlook for SQLMail

I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
However, when I talk with my system administrators about
placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
still be able to use SQLMail?You can use xp_smtp_sendmail from www.sqldev.net
It isn't nearly as integrated as SQL Mail, but by adding a few steps to your
SQL Agent jobs, you can get most of the same functionality. It is very
stable and does exactly what the documentation says it does.
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com
I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org
"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b5e401c4376e$bd66d5e0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...
> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
> alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
> intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
> still be able to use SQLMail?|||"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b5e401c4376e$bd66d5e0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...

> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security.
do you blame them ? installing Outlook on a database server is nuts ...|||http://www.aspfaq.com/2403
Aaron Bertrand
SQL Server MVP
http://www.aspfaq.com/
"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b5e401c4376e$bd66d5e0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...
> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
> alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
> intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
> still be able to use SQLMail?|||"Aaron Bertrand - MVP" <aaron@.TRASHaspfaq.com> wrote in message
news:uF33JP3NEHA.3124@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> http://www.aspfaq.com/2403
Aaron, I'm off-topic here but I notice you have an RSS feed on ASPFAQ; what
client do you recommend ? Thanks ...|||Should work in pretty much any, I don't have a personal preference...
Aaron Bertrand
SQL Server MVP
http://www.aspfaq.com/
"Liz" <liz@.tiredofspam.com> wrote in message
news:eIpSqv3NEHA.3016@.tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> "Aaron Bertrand - MVP" <aaron@.TRASHaspfaq.com> wrote in message
> news:uF33JP3NEHA.3124@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Aaron, I'm off-topic here but I notice you have an RSS feed on ASPFAQ;
what
> client do you recommend ? Thanks ...
>
>

Alternatives to MS Outlook for SQLMail

I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
However, when I talk with my system administrators about
placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
still be able to use SQLMail?You can use xp_smtp_sendmail from www.sqldev.net
It isn't nearly as integrated as SQL Mail, but by adding a few steps to your
SQL Agent jobs, you can get most of the same functionality. It is very
stable and does exactly what the documentation says it does.
--
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com
I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org
"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b5e401c4376e$bd66d5e0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...
> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
> alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
> intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
> still be able to use SQLMail?|||"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b5e401c4376e$bd66d5e0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...
> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security.
do you blame them ? installing Outlook on a database server is nuts ...|||http://www.aspfaq.com/2403
--
Aaron Bertrand
SQL Server MVP
http://www.aspfaq.com/
"Scott" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:b5e401c4376e$bd66d5e0$a601280a@.phx.gbl...
> I want to be able to use SQLMail to send me alerts on
> task failures, etc. Microsoft says we have to use a MAPI
> client like MS Outlook to take advantage of this feature.
> However, when I talk with my system administrators about
> placing Outlook or similar mail clients on the server
> they get all upset and scream about security. Are there
> alternatives to Outlook that are more secure or less
> intrusive or anything that would make the sa's happy and
> still be able to use SQLMail?|||"Aaron Bertrand - MVP" <aaron@.TRASHaspfaq.com> wrote in message
news:uF33JP3NEHA.3124@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> http://www.aspfaq.com/2403
Aaron, I'm off-topic here but I notice you have an RSS feed on ASPFAQ; what
client do you recommend ? Thanks ...|||Should work in pretty much any, I don't have a personal preference...
--
Aaron Bertrand
SQL Server MVP
http://www.aspfaq.com/
"Liz" <liz@.tiredofspam.com> wrote in message
news:eIpSqv3NEHA.3016@.tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> "Aaron Bertrand - MVP" <aaron@.TRASHaspfaq.com> wrote in message
> news:uF33JP3NEHA.3124@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > http://www.aspfaq.com/2403
> Aaron, I'm off-topic here but I notice you have an RSS feed on ASPFAQ;
what
> client do you recommend ? Thanks ...
>
>