[SOLVED] Sending mail from cron with postfix

instantaphex · 2012-12-20 08:33:27

I've been looking for a solution to this all day to no avail. I have no desire to set up an elaborate mail server with webmail and all that. I am trying to set up a cron job to check my current public ip, compare it to an IP address in a file, and send an email to my phone if the ip address is different that the one stored in the file. The wiki page is a bit overwhelming and I am not seeing anything in there that is really helping me to understand what needs to be done to accomplish my goal. The script is the easy part, what I am not able to do is to send mail to my phone's email address.

Is this something that can only be accomplished by connecting postfix with another SMTP server or can my machine send them on it's own? Forgive my ignorance.

Last edited by instantaphex (2012-12-21 02:13:52)

chris_l · 2012-12-20 17:31:27

Most isp providers block port 25 access. That is done to block spammers, but also makes difficult for you to be able to be your own mail server.
If you buy a vps or you get an static ip from your provider, you can avoid those problems. Also, getting a domain would be important.

But, if you use msmtp, you can send mail from cli, scripts, etc using a mail provider, like gmail, from your regular internet access.

Also, if you resolve the port 25 problem, try sendmail instead of postfix.

Choose msmtp for the easiest/cheapest option.

Last edited by chris_l (2012-12-20 17:32:25)

brebs · 2012-12-20 17:58:34

instantaphex wrote:

I have no desire to set up an elaborate mail server with webmail and all that

Use e.g. mutt with msmtp.

instantaphex wrote:

check my current public ip

Sounds like e.g. a free dyndns.org account would help, with a dynamic IP address.

instantaphex · 2012-12-21 02:13:35

chris_l wrote:

Most isp providers block port 25 access. That is done to block spammers, but also makes difficult for you to be able to be your own mail server.
If you buy a vps or you get an static ip from your provider, you can avoid those problems. Also, getting a domain would be important.
But, if you use msmtp, you can send mail from cli, scripts, etc using a mail provider, like gmail, from your regular internet access.
Also, if you resolve the port 25 problem, try sendmail instead of postfix.
Choose msmtp for the easiest/cheapest option.

This is exactly what I was looking for. I set up msmtp using the guide you linked to and it works perfectly for what I'm trying to do.

brebs wrote:

Sounds like e.g. a free dyndns.org account would help, with a dynamic IP address.

Hmmm interesting. I didn't see a free option. I'll keep this in mind if my idea doesn't pan out.

Thanks guys!

chris_l · 2012-12-21 03:05:17

instantaphex wrote:

brebs wrote:
Sounds like e.g. a free dyndns.org account would help, with a dynamic IP address.
Hmmm interesting. I didn't see a free option. I'll keep this in mind if my idea doesn't pan out.

Instead of dyndns, try staticcling.org. You'll find one there, because actually, there are no payment-options on staticcling! its a free-only dynamic dns

EDIT: I have added the client of statccling on the aur: https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/static_update/.
As long your client is updating, they don't remove your account. If you let pass 4 months without any update, yes, they'll remove it.

Last edited by chris_l (2012-12-21 03:43:51)

WonderWoofy · 2012-12-21 03:21:37

I use no-ip. There is even a no-ip client in the Arch repos.

You do have to verify every 30 days that you still need your account if you use the free service though. It is very easy because they send you an email.

Last edited by WonderWoofy (2012-12-21 03:22:44)

instantaphex · 2012-12-21 20:09:19

I ended up setting up msmtp to send a text to my phone when my ip address changes. Thanks for the help.

Arch Linux

#1 2012-12-20 08:33:27

[SOLVED] Sending mail from cron with postfix

#2 2012-12-20 17:31:27

Re: [SOLVED] Sending mail from cron with postfix

#3 2012-12-20 17:58:34

Re: [SOLVED] Sending mail from cron with postfix

#4 2012-12-21 02:13:35

Re: [SOLVED] Sending mail from cron with postfix

#5 2012-12-21 03:05:17

Re: [SOLVED] Sending mail from cron with postfix

#6 2012-12-21 03:21:37

Re: [SOLVED] Sending mail from cron with postfix

#7 2012-12-21 20:09:19

Re: [SOLVED] Sending mail from cron with postfix

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