IDNetters Forums

Technical News & Discussion => IDNet Help => Topic started by: MarlyM on Jan 20, 2012, 06:33:41

Title: Mail Server Issues
Post by: MarlyM on Jan 20, 2012, 06:33:41
Is it just me or are the mail servers down at the moment?

I can't get in via my email client, and webmail says there's an error and I've got no mail.

Thanks for any info..........
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: JohnH on Jan 20, 2012, 06:34:59
Same here.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 20, 2012, 06:36:35
I agree same here
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Bill on Jan 20, 2012, 06:38:53
Me too.

Though to be fair, it's not often I'd notice at this time of the morning!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: MarlyM on Jan 20, 2012, 06:44:31
Oh well.

Will just have to wait it out.

Gott admit, I'm impressed with how may IDNetters are up and about here this early (although, I guess you may have only come here because of the mail issue, like me!!!!).
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 07:27:11
Has anyone reported the issue?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: MarlyM on Jan 20, 2012, 07:33:25
Gotta admit, I wouldn't know how to!

All I did was check the IDNet Service status page.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Mouseroo on Jan 20, 2012, 07:42:05
Hi,

Same mail issue here.  On the bright side, it gives me a chance to go and hunt down a slice of toast   ;D
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: David on Jan 20, 2012, 08:49:37
And here which means I can have anothe cup of tea  ;D

Just seen the status page and engineer is already on his/her way with a hammer  ;D
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: sparky on Jan 20, 2012, 09:03:32
Yep, "on his way to re-start the server"

We pay premium rates for using IDNET as our ISP and they can't afford a failover ????
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: sparky on Jan 20, 2012, 09:56:15
QuoteIncoming idnet.com currently is experience some issues, engineer is on way to the server to restart it.

Is he using public transport!   :laugh:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Jan 20, 2012, 09:59:16
Quote from: sparky on Jan 20, 2012, 09:03:32
Yep, "on his way to re-start the server"

We pay premium rates for using IDNET as our ISP and they can't afford a failover ????
I think the backup fellover years back  ;)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: joe on Jan 20, 2012, 10:32:29
No, not public transport - he is walking - slowly!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 20, 2012, 10:33:40
IDNet mail is proved FOC with a broadband account and imo is not something that I would rely on if email services are essential. Saying that it's performance over the last year has been very good with minimal downtime.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: SSK on Jan 20, 2012, 10:48:17
Quote from: Steve on Jan 20, 2012, 10:33:40
IDNet mail is proved FOC with a broadband account and imo is not something that I would rely on if email services are essential. Saying that it's performance over the last year has been very good with minimal downtime.

imo, if something is advertised as part of a package when you buy that package then it's not free of charge. If it wasn't advertised as part of the package and you get it anyway, then it might be considered free of charge.

If you bought an item which said 'batteries included' and found it had no batteries, would you say, "Oh, that's okay because the batteries were free anyway"?

Of course I don't rely on IDNet for my important business mail, but I'm still disappointed and mildly shocked that there wasn't a backup mailserver to switch over to and that the service has been down so long.






Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 11:09:31
When you say "so long", they would have only received the alerts when they came in this morning, and have got an engineer straight on it.  Perhaps it's not just a simple reboot required. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: joe on Jan 20, 2012, 11:15:33
Straight on it? Then why no update on progress since 08:11?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 11:16:43
Probably because they're still working on it!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: gingergalore on Jan 20, 2012, 11:31:18
Mine's down too
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 11:32:02
Update:  A reboot didn't bring it back up, so they're still working on it.  IDNet apologise for any inconvenience. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: David on Jan 20, 2012, 11:39:49
Many thanks Simon Im sure they are doing their utmost and normal service will resume as soon as humanly possible,These things happen  ;)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: wkb21 on Jan 20, 2012, 11:47:52
Quote from: David on Jan 20, 2012, 11:39:49
- - - These things happen  ;)

Well, they happen if you don't build in redundancy against likely failures.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: dysonco on Jan 20, 2012, 11:52:21
I agree, saying the email service is FOC for an ISP account is ludicrous.  Its advertised as a feature of the account we purchase and therefore is an integral part of that.  I pay a premium for my IDNET broadband because I want it and all the features of my account to just work, if I went by features alone your average plusnet account or similar offers more for much less money....  So please IDNET, take a good look at how your mail servers are setup and confirm there are adequate backups in place.

I'm also a little dissapointed by the fact this hasn't even got a mention in the service status part of this forum.  Surely an outage of this scale for this period of time should be given a higher priority?

Best wishes,

Mike
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: David on Jan 20, 2012, 12:20:14
Quote from: wkb21 on Jan 20, 2012, 11:47:52
Well, they happen if you don't build in redundancy against likely failures.

My point was my own take on the situation the issue I am sure is being dealt with as fast as possible and I am confident it will be back as fast as possible not sure how many back ups are possible I know how frustrating it is but (and its my opinion only ) I am confident that all that can be done is being done,I am no engineer and have limited knowledge of this but I cant see what else IDnet are supposed to do I pay the same but accept that from time to time things go wrong or break but thats the way it is from my own perspective and personally Im happy with the outstanding service I recieve from this company I moved once but soon returned ..... because of the service and speed with dealing with these issues ok I might hope its gets resolved sooner but cut them some slack the guys who are working on it I doubt can go any faster
but like I say this is my own personal opinion
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 12:23:59
TBH, we didn't expect it to be a major outage, as these are usually sorted pretty quickly.  I'll put it on the news fader, which will practically guarantee that it wil be fixed the very next minute. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: dysonco on Jan 20, 2012, 12:36:05
Quote from: David on Jan 20, 2012, 12:20:14
My point was my own take on the situation the issue I am sure is being dealt with as fast as possible and I am confident it will be back as fast as possible not sure how many back ups are possible I know how frustrating it is but (and its my opinion only ) I am confident that all that can be done is being done,I am no engineer and have limited knowledge of this but I cant see what else IDnet are supposed to do I pay the same but accept that from time to time things go wrong or break but thats the way it is from my own perspective and personally Im happy with the outstanding service I recieve from this company I moved once but soon returned ..... because of the service and speed with dealing with these issues ok I might hope its gets resolved sooner but cut them some slack the guys who are working on it I doubt can go any faster
but like I say this is my own personal opinion
I think the mention of 'THE mail server' as opposed to 'mail servers' probably started the worry.  If my company (which isn't an IDNET customer apart from one of our backup adsl connections being with IDNET) with a total of 12 employess can have mirrored mail servers (exchange servers I know, so not quite the same thing).  Then for an ISP such as IDNET to not have mirrored mail servers does seem a little odd?  I dare say that the cost of the hardware is far outweighed by the running costs, but for a premium ISP like IDNET you do hope that they plan for at least a basic level of failover.

I certainly not expecting there never to be any issues, I'm too much of a realist and have spent too much time with computers not to be aware that sometimes 's**t happens' and I readily agree that IDNETs service on the whole is exemplary, which is why I am with them.

I would be interested to hear from IDNET what thier email infrastructure is though?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Ardua on Jan 20, 2012, 12:46:15
I am experiencing a touch of 'deja vu' here; this is not the first time that there has been an e-mail problem which was not a quick fix. All technical things fail from time-to-time and I am sure that IDNet is doing everything within its power to put things right; however, yet again, their very poor company to customer communication skills come to the fore. The status page is still showing a fault announcement timed at 08.11. Periodic progress updates are the norm with other premium ISPs - why not with IDNet? Good communication costs nothing.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 12:56:26
When there is news, I am sure they will let us know.  Simon is currently at Telehouse looking into this as a priority, but I guess there just isn't always a quick fix.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: wkb21 on Jan 20, 2012, 13:04:48
Quote from: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 12:23:59
TBH, we didn't expect it to be a major outage

There should be redundancy to cover plausible failures.  Aircraft provide flight, and inadequate redundancy causes a fall out of the sky.  Cruise liners provide buoyancy, inadequate redundancy causes sinking.  Idnet provides communication and has fallen out of the sky, sunk, forgotten some fundamental principles.  A useful lesson. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Technical Ben on Jan 20, 2012, 13:24:36
You don't get timescale guarantees on email clients/services. Hence the response time varies. When I was working for big companies, we used email internally, but one of the big reasons for not using it on external communications was it's a non guaranteed service.

Phone calls and letters, faxes etc are all covered by providers under a guarantee of service, or a delivery timescale (first class, second class etc). I am not aware of one for email. So, IDNet (and every other ISP) run their email as best they can. However, they have not promised the impossible. They know it can take time to get working on occasion. This seems to be one of those times.

Basically, with A phone call, you can call a little later. With a letter you can get the post the next day, if the post man misses your house today. There's only like 2 or 3 things that could possibly go wrong with those services. With email, well, it's totally subject to what kind of hardware failure or error it is. There is hundreds of things to check. Some take seconds, others hours...
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: mervl on Jan 20, 2012, 13:58:28
I appreciate you are volunteers, but I always wondered what the "News" banner on the forum was for!  I gather that a general failure affecting all customers doesn't become "news" until it's continued for at least six hours, which I suppose is not the usual definition we expect for "news".  Mind you, I think the BBC should adopt that practice, it should improve the quality of their reporting no end! Sounds a good one for m'learned friend Levinson to recommend!

I welcome any e-mail respite. (Will the message be updated though, like when the problem is fixed?). E-mail servers are a menace though, and although I've a mix of free and paid for subscriptions they all have off-days, and some law says its always the wrong one that goes down. Patience as always.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: mervl on Jan 20, 2012, 14:01:29
Error!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Bill on Jan 20, 2012, 14:07:01
Just had an email through, so maybe we're back in business... I was expecting more than one, but I assume there'll be a backlog?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Lance on Jan 20, 2012, 14:13:53
Undoubtedly, Bill.

As for the news banner, Mervl, as you said we are all volunteers so can not always give extra support on the forum just because there is a widespread problem. Just because it was 6 hours after the initial post that the banner was activated, it doesn't mean it isn't still news nor does it mean it isn't news until then.

As soon as we have confirmation the problem is fixed the banner will reflect this.

Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: gingergalore on Jan 20, 2012, 14:19:34
Yay - it's fixed - ty ty ty ty
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 14:19:51
We also did not know that it wasn't a simple fix until some time after the initial outage, which happened outside of IDNet's support hours.  There was an ongoing thread on the forum, which was not difficult to find. 

The news banner has just been updated. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: David on Jan 20, 2012, 14:20:57
Thanks IDNet thats that and thanks Simon for all your efforts  :thumb:

Now I had better answer this lot  ;D
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: MarlyM on Jan 20, 2012, 14:27:45
Thanks for sorting it IDNet.

Is there anything I need to do?

I've not had a single email through yet.

I do hope they've not gone missing!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Baz on Jan 20, 2012, 14:28:15
not working for me yet
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Glenn on Jan 20, 2012, 14:29:08
I just had mail from 5.30 onwards come through.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 14:35:16
I've had mail, earliest 07:24.  No idea if any was lost. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: esh on Jan 20, 2012, 14:41:03
Argh, all my email has completely vanished. I assume some restoration is still going on?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: MarlyM on Jan 20, 2012, 14:43:58
Just had a delivery.

First one from 08:51.  Not sure of any loss.

Thanks IDNet for sorting it.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Thomsk on Jan 20, 2012, 14:49:00
I've been following this thread since this morning and my Idnet email has just come up as well.

Unfortunately the test emails I sent myself around 10:00 am from my hotmail account are nowhere to be seen, so I'm guessing that there may have been some loss  :dunno:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: David on Jan 20, 2012, 14:51:18
Mine are arriving in batches so with luck third or fourth lot just arriving
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Bill on Jan 20, 2012, 14:53:33
Quote from: Thomsk on Jan 20, 2012, 14:49:00so I'm guessing that there may have been some loss  :dunno:

Not necessarily... mine's coming through in dribs and drabs, in no discernible order. It'll stay that way until the backlog is cleared, which (guessing from past outages) I'd guess may take a couple of hours?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: David on Jan 20, 2012, 14:56:42
I sent a test at 08.03 and its just been delivered so its promising
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 15:01:21
The server was borked (technically!), so they are restoring data to a new server.  I guess that can't happen all in one go.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Thomsk on Jan 20, 2012, 15:01:59
Quote from: Bill on Jan 20, 2012, 14:53:33
Not necessarily... mine's coming through in dribs and drabs, in no discernible order. It'll stay that way until the backlog is cleared, which (guessing from past outages) I'd guess may take a couple of hours?

That's good to know, hopefully nothing has been lost then  :)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Glenn on Jan 20, 2012, 15:15:25
See the announcement from IDNet http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,28213.msg667262.html#msg667262
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Bill on Jan 20, 2012, 15:27:37
Well, the restore seems to have worked... I've just had 135 emails from the last few days downloaded again!

So unlikely to be much (if any) loss, pleased to say.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Technical Ben on Jan 20, 2012, 16:35:55
Always remember. If the failed disk is still mechanically sound (IE it reads data through windows etc), then FIRST do a complete image clone (including "blank" space) before changing anything. Else you could end up loosing the data in the process of recovery. :(

If the disk is mechanically borked. I hope IDNet have lots of patience. :whistle:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon_idnet on Jan 20, 2012, 17:11:38
At first we were trying to resurrect the failed server so that we could get the mail spools online again. However, the OS is on a mirrored array and the array controller refused to play with it. We transferred all the disks (OS and mail spool arrays) to a spare machine but the array controller in that machine wouldn't do it either. We tried booting the server from a CD as well. At that point the decision was made to transfer the services to a new server installation, restore the most recent backup and allow the store-and-forward queues to be delivered. In all, 6 machines comprise this service, but it was the POP3/IMAP machine that had failed.

The failed array is now with a Data Recovery company. The expert there thinks that one of the disks blew its voltage suppressor which then caused a corruption on the mirror disk. They are going to work over the weekend to try to retrieve the missing 23 hours of mail. The mail server is backed up a 5am every day but failed at around 4am this morning.

Apologies for the inconvenience. Please be assured that we are doing everything that we can to restore the full mail history.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 18:23:07
Thanks Simon.  I think that epitomises the phrase, "sh*t happens".  :(
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: esh on Jan 20, 2012, 18:28:27
I'm not super technical on RAID systems, but I'm guessing that a drive died and in the process corrupted another so it wouldn't rebuild? I guess it's time for RAID-6...or more. One of my worst fears is that my hardware RAID array wouldn't rebuild... Supposedly very very picky, sometimes even another identical controller won't rebuild the array for some reasons. For that reason some people swear by software RAID... and then others will incinerate you with a glare should you even consider it!

Back on topic, the server is probably under load. I still can't access it as of this post time.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 20, 2012, 18:52:56
I'm having no success via SSL on port 993. mail.idnet.com on 143 seems fine. The imap.example.com certificate is not welcomed on Mac OS X Lion
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: sunray2 on Jan 20, 2012, 19:00:36
Unlike Bill I am still awaiting the arrival of 158 emails - over a weeks worth!  Sent myself a message some 10 minutes ago ago and this came back to me at the double! Nothing else received since 22.58 last night.

Gavin
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 19:06:21
How can you be waiting for over a weeks worth?  The server only went down last night.  Apologies if I've missed something, but...  :dunno:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: David on Jan 20, 2012, 19:16:10
Thanks Simon got all mine now and I thought you managed it quite well  ;D ;D

Care for a hobnob ?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 19:17:27
I'd prefer a chocolate digestive.  ;D
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Baz on Jan 20, 2012, 19:20:24
We seem to be missing lots that were viewed via webmail and left on the server.

are these gone for ever  ???
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Bill on Jan 20, 2012, 19:44:24
Quote from: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 19:06:21
How can you be waiting for over a weeks worth?  The server only went down last night.  Apologies if I've missed something, but...  :dunno:

When I read the mail via POP3 the client is set to leave it on the server for a week. It's saved my backside once or twice, but it does mean that when something goes pear-shaped there's a good chance I'll get that week's worth again!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 19:45:46
Ah, I see. I always download mine, so I tend to assume everyone else does. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: cavillas on Jan 20, 2012, 19:52:06
Many thanks to the team at Idnet for working so hard and doing their best.  Sometimes these machines have minds of their own and decide to upset everyone because they are just left to run and have no meaningful human companionship. :laugh:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: pctech on Jan 20, 2012, 20:42:18
So you reckon it might not have happened if the desks of the IDNet staff were situated next to the racks holding the servers and networking gear Alf? :)

Not sure whether you've ever been in a data centre but they tend to be quite cold (particularly in the winter) and noisy places as most servers, storage arrays, large routers and switches have large variable speed fans on them that can go up to 8000 rpm or more when the device is warm because its under heavy load, this creates one hell of a racket, here's an example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b33i7cmjhtc

Multiply this by the number of devices required to run services like IDNet's and you could hardly have a conversation over the phone or between staff as you also have the noise of the powerful air conditioning required to keep all the stuff cool, might prove an interesting challenge though.  :)

Joking aside, fair play to IDNet for doing all they can to recover the missing data, I know several ISPs that would simply replace the disk and say tough as its a bundled service, you just pay us for your connection, not a mail service.







Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 21:22:25
Quote from: pctech on Jan 20, 2012, 20:42:18Joking aside, fair play to IDNet for doing all they can to recover the missing data, I know several ISPs that would simply replace the disk and say tough as its a bundled service, you just pay us for your connection, not a mail service.

Indeed, and I don't suppose data recovery comes cheap.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 20, 2012, 21:58:22
The incoming mail server securemail.idnet.com via ssl port 993 now seems to be functioning plus mail forwarding seems to have returned.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 20, 2012, 22:08:01
Quote from: sunray2 on Jan 20, 2012, 19:00:36
Unlike Bill I am still awaiting the arrival of 158 emails - over a weeks worth!  Sent myself a message some 10 minutes ago ago and this came back to me at the double! Nothing else received since 22.58 last night.

Gavin


It took awhile but  :welc5: :karma:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 20, 2012, 22:15:11
:welc: :karma: Gavin!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: David on Jan 20, 2012, 22:16:02
oops where are my manners   :welc2: :karma: welcome Gavin
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: esh on Jan 20, 2012, 22:23:36
Ah, victory. I'm up and running again here.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Jan 20, 2012, 23:02:01
Quote from: Steve on Jan 20, 2012, 18:52:56
I'm having no success via SSL on port 993. mail.idnet.com on 143 seems fine. The imap.example.com certificate is not welcomed on Mac OS X Lion
I could send and receive using that certificate using Lion on pop3, still no SSL on port 995 though using securemail.idnet.com with pop3
:(
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: sunray2 on Jan 21, 2012, 00:20:14
Hi Guys

Thanks for the great welcome one and all, most unexpected but a pleasant surprise indeed!  Simon, as for the 158 emails they have now been downloaded, they are ones that I had already received.  All now appears to be well!

Gavin
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: MarlyM on Jan 21, 2012, 07:08:49
Quote from: Bill on Jan 20, 2012, 19:44:24
When I read the mail via POP3 the client is set to leave it on the server for a week. It's saved my backside once or twice, but it does mean that when something goes pear-shaped there's a good chance I'll get that week's worth again!

Same here, but I do it for fortnight.

I had fun last night removing hundreds of duplicates from my inbox!

Oh well, it's better to have two than none at all I guess!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Technical Ben on Jan 21, 2012, 09:18:31
Nice to hear the fix is on the way. Sad to hear the controller blew + the mirror is corrupted. Hopefully, it's just a basic corruption (MBT error?), and no data was lost. I've also heard of times where when plugging in a new empty disk to a raid system, the computer promptly "backed up" and mirrored the empty disk over the full one.  :laugh:  :whistle:

So I'm glad IDNet are professional. It takes away some of the fear you get when you hear BT/O2/Sky/Talktalk are playing with some hardware!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: gingerjedi on Jan 21, 2012, 10:41:18
I just got back from holiday where I was picking up email on my Android phone which I have done before, quite often I'd like to view the full message and attachments when I'm back home but...

I was expecting my PC's email box to show all mail recieved regardless of what I've viewed, I'm sure Outlook used to download email even if I had viewed it remotely? My Android mail settings say 'leave on server??

Any help would be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 21, 2012, 11:16:21
As you may be aware the mail server broke yesterday and was restored from a backup taken 23 hours previously , so I would hope any mail that existed on the server prior to this date will have been restored.

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,28210.msg667170.html#msg667170
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Niall on Jan 21, 2012, 13:50:48
Oh no I can't access my invoice email. Free month! :p

This does explain the odd certificate message I got the other day though :)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: cn1001 on Jan 21, 2012, 13:54:09
Looks like I am missing read e-mail from 10th to 20th January 2012. Will this be restored as one of the e-mail contained a £50 voucher code for me to redeem against Blinkbox on my Samsung Smart TV.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Glenn on Jan 21, 2012, 14:00:27
This is from Simon's message yesterday

Quote from: Simon_idnet on Jan 20, 2012, 17:11:38


Apologies for the inconvenience. Please be assured that we are doing everything that we can to restore the full mail history.

So hopefully.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: cn1001 on Jan 21, 2012, 15:50:50
If it doesn't get restored will idnet reimburse me the £50?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Glenn on Jan 21, 2012, 15:55:05
That would be something you would have to take up with IDNet.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 21, 2012, 16:26:06
If an email was that important, I would have download it, rather than leaving it on the server. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: cn1001 on Jan 21, 2012, 16:53:40
Hindsight is a wonderful thing! I was going to print it off today so I could start using the code, but couldn't due it not being there.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: pctech on Jan 21, 2012, 17:03:29
Never leave mail on a POP3 host indefinitely as unlike Lotus Domino or Microsoft Exchange they really aren't designed for permanent mail storage.



Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: cn1001 on Jan 21, 2012, 17:23:17
It wasn't going to be on there indefinitely. I received the email on Monday & today was the 1st chance I had to print it off.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 21, 2012, 17:24:49
They will restore all that they can, but the mail was delivered, as you've said, and leaving it on the server is similar to leaving postal mail on the kitchen table.  If it goes missing after delivery, you can't blame the postman.  ;)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Lance on Jan 21, 2012, 17:58:08
Quote from: cn1001 on Jan 21, 2012, 17:23:17
It wasn't going to be on there indefinitely. I received the email on Monday & today was the 1st chance I had to print it off.

What we mean is download it from the server rather than rely on someone else to look after it. All email clients will allow you to download the email from the server and print it later. In any case, it was only 23hrs of email missing so if it was received Monday it should be there. Certainly I've had emails going back months right up to just before the outage all restored.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 21, 2012, 18:43:31
For reference, from IDNet's T&Cs:

QuoteConsequential loss

To the extent permitted by law, IDNet shall not be liable under the Agreement for: any indirect or consequential loss; any loss of profits or revenue; any loss of goodwill, reputation or opportunity; any loss of or corruption of data.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 21, 2012, 19:06:56
Service: Announcement
Updated: 2012-01-21 16:47:23
State: Sub-Optimal Service
Message: Incoming idnet.com email service has been restored and we are working to retrieve mail dated 19th Jan. We expect to be able to restore that date on Monday.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: JB on Jan 21, 2012, 22:41:53
Quote from: Steve on Jan 21, 2012, 19:06:56
Service: Announcement
Updated: 2012-01-21 16:47:23
State: Sub-Optimal Service
Message: Incoming idnet.com email service has been restored and we are working to retrieve mail dated 19th Jan. We expect to be able to restore that date on Monday.
Regretably that isn't the case for me.

Three of my IDNet addressee are receiving mail perfectly but four appear to receive it but do not seem to hold or display it. A further IDNet address rejects the email to the sender immediately.

I'll give it until Monday and if things are still not working, I'll raise a ticket.

I'm bringing this up because I think mail that is being received by some of my my IDNet addresses is not being processed.

If you don't seem to be seeing expected mail the same could be happening to you.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 21, 2012, 22:48:52
I've had my password rejected a few times this evening on my email client for all my idnet.com addresses but at present it's working but as you say we don't know if any/all are being processed correctly.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 22, 2012, 18:33:43
Since the new server came up my webmail login has failed. My email client reports the number of emails  to download (steadily rising!) but fails to get them. In fact the email download process hangs until it times out. Oddly I am still able to send emails.

I have been able to create a new email address and this works fine. While this gets emergency access to email clearly there is much more to this than a days lost emails. From this a some of the previous posts it sounds as though a number of accounts are going to need to be fixed individually. If there are a large number this is a time consuming excercise.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 22, 2012, 19:01:13
 :welc: :karma: Trev

It would be nice if it was just as easy as restoring the last good backup but clearly it isn't and there are going to be additional individual issues that will need to be resolved.

Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 22, 2012, 19:20:31
It might be wise to let IDNet know of your problem, as they obviously won't be checking each individual account.  I'm guessing, though, that some of the data being restored could be account login data. 

:welc: :karma:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 23, 2012, 00:18:29
Once I realised that my problems were more than email loss I raised a ticket. I suspect I am not the only one with these problems. The trouble with restoration of login data is that in a pressure situation it is easy to get the file ownership or permissions wrong. In my many years in IT I have seen it happen many times. Not that it happened to me :whistle:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Ray on Jan 23, 2012, 10:43:46
 :welc: :karma:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Jan 23, 2012, 10:57:12
Still having certificate errors for pop3 SSL on port 995 (securemail.idnet.com) and occasional password rejection, hopefully this will be sorted today.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: JB on Jan 23, 2012, 11:12:26
Still have 3 address that are not working, however the IDNet status page indicates 'Good Service' for email.

I have let them know by telephone and am hopeful of a resolution.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 11:44:00
I've just been speaking to Brian about the status of the recovery.  Simon is still working on restoring the 'missing' 24 hours, but everything else should now be working correctly.  Logins should not have been affected by the server malfunction, but the certificates are still being dealt with.  Brian suggest accepting the offered certificate. 

6jb, Brian has tested all of your mailboxes and can't find any login issues via webmail.  He suggests that you kindly check your email client settings, and get back to them if the problems persist. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Jan 23, 2012, 11:53:32
Quote from: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 11:44:00
I've just been speaking to Brian about the status of the recovery.  Simon is still working on restoring the 'missing' 24 hours, but everything else should now be working correctly.  Logins should not have been affected by the server malfunction, but the certificates are still being dealt with.  Brian suggest accepting the offered certificate. 

6jb, Brian has tested all of your mailboxes and can't find any login issues via webmail.  He suggests that you kindly check your email client settings, and get back to them if the problems persist. 
I'll accept the correct certificate as a permanent fix. I'm fed up of pressing accept every time I launch my mail client... I wont install the self signed one, its caused a few issues.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: JB on Jan 23, 2012, 13:34:26
Quote from: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 11:44:00
6jb, Brian has tested all of your mailboxes and can't find any login issues via webmail.  He suggests that you kindly check your email client settings, and get back to them if the problems persist. 
Thanks Simon.

The issue is not whether I can access the webmail, which I can perfectly, it is simply that email being sent (by me) to that address is not showing up either in webmail or being retrieved using pop3 from my mail client, which is working perfectly with other IDNet addresses.

I try and give them a ring.

Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 13:37:23

Quote from: 6jb on Jan 23, 2012, 13:34:26
Thanks Simon.

The issue is not whether I can access the webmail, which I can perfectly, it is simply that email being sent (by me) to that address is not showing up either in webmail or being retrieved using pop3 from my mail client, which is working perfectly with other IDNet addresses.

I try and give them a ring.



I think that would be best.  :)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: cn1001 on Jan 23, 2012, 13:40:08
I'm now getting 'connection has timed out' when trying to connect to http://webmail.idnet.com/  >:(
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Lance on Jan 23, 2012, 13:42:03
There is a minor issue with the webmail which support are currently fixing. It should be sorted in a few minutes. Thanks.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 13:43:16
There was a webmail connection issue just a bit earlier, but it should now have been fixed.  We have been advised that it may take a little while for the fix to take effect, so suggest you try again a bit later. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: JB on Jan 23, 2012, 13:45:56
Quote from: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 13:43:16
There was a webmail connection issue just a bit earlier, but it should now have been fixed.  We have been advised that it may take a little while for the fix to take effect, so suggest you try again a bit later. 

I have just come off the phone to Brian. As of 1344 his Webmail access was down. He said he will take a look at the problem when he can get access back.

I'm finding it hard to convey to IDNet exactly what the problem is!  Maybe it's just me.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 13:48:25
Webmail is down for me now too.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Jan 23, 2012, 14:39:08
My emails are being sent now, but are not arriving at other idnet.com addresses, even from my own domain mail and I', trying to send images of damaged goods to my wheelchair manufacturer.  :(
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 15:11:08
Did you have a crash too?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: esh on Jan 23, 2012, 15:12:34
I'm getting a lot of certificate warnings, but I guess this is just from all the server fiddling.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Bill on Jan 23, 2012, 15:16:48
I'm getting the Apache test page when I try to access webmail :dunno:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: netn00b on Jan 23, 2012, 15:21:31
trying to set up mail on a netbook.

using outlook express.

is account name my e-mail addresss ?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: esh on Jan 23, 2012, 15:22:46
Yes just use your email address as username (complete with @idnet.com), and the password as you typed in on the customer portal control panel.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: netn00b on Jan 23, 2012, 15:24:39
thanks esh.

guess i cant remember the password /sigh
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Jan 23, 2012, 15:28:19
Quote from: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 15:11:08
Did you have a crash too?
My idnet.com addresses are working now, but my hosted domain mail which IDNet also host are not arriving  :-\ One of those days, not happy but hey.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: cn1001 on Jan 23, 2012, 15:53:58
Webmail is working again. Still missing e-mails from 10 - 20 January tho. I have used the 'contact form' on the contact us page and given them my gmail account to email me back on.

Lets hope they can restore my missing e-mails, if not then I will have to consider moving to a cheaper, more reliable ISP.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Lance on Jan 23, 2012, 16:07:05
The only missing emails are those from the 23 hours before the server went down.

Could you have accidentally deleted them?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: cn1001 on Jan 23, 2012, 16:11:46
No because then they would be in my deleted items folder (which I have not cleared out for months). Managed to get my £50 Blinkbox code emailed to me again now anyway :)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: pctech on Jan 23, 2012, 16:13:47
If you are really that reliant on your mail maybe its time to consider a paid e-mail solution?

Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: cavillas on Jan 23, 2012, 16:20:29
or a gmail account. :whistle: ;D
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: krysia on Jan 23, 2012, 17:15:56
Just to say that we're missing mail sent to and from our accounts between 14 and 20 January as well.  Does Support know there are still such problems?  (We have IMAP accounts that leave mail on the server - although we also download our messages into our inboxes, as soon as we connect to the internet the accounts synchonise, so the downloaded messages disappear from OE.)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 17:24:34
To avoid that happening, it's an idea to have messages downloaded using POP3, then they will be removed from the server, and stored on your own machine in OE.  From what we can gather, the only mail that should still be missing is that of the 23 hours prior to the server failure, which was approx 4am Friday. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Dakota2 on Jan 23, 2012, 17:33:26
Hi everyone, I'm not convinced the mail system is working properly. Test messages sent this afternoon haven't shown up as yet.
regards

Dakota
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: krysia on Jan 23, 2012, 18:06:20
Quote from: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 17:24:34
To avoid that happening, it's an idea to have messages downloaded using POP3, then they will be removed from the server, and stored on your own machine in OE.   

POP3 is fine if you access e-mail from only one machine, but I need to do so from home and work and when visiting family who live in the US.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 23, 2012, 18:11:08
I have one machine with a  POP3 mail account set to leave mail on the server until it's removed from the inbox of that machine, the rest are IMAP.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 18:12:41
You can usually choose to leave mail on the server with POP3, then you would have a copy stored on the downloading machine, and also left on the server if you needed to access it that way.  It's just a way to avoid mail from being lost due to server failures, such as this. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 18:30:49
Update:

To those experiencing non receipt of sent emails, there was a spam attack on smtp.idnet.net and mail.idnet.net earlier on, which has now been dealt with, but there may be a queue of outgoing mail on those servers. 

To those who still have mail missing from prior to the server fault, any mail that was still on the server at the time of the malfunction, will be in the queue waiting to be restored.  IDNet are doing all that they can to restore all missing mail, but this is an ongoing process, so they ask for your continued patience, and apologise again for any inconvenience caused. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 23, 2012, 18:32:50
Thanks Simon  :thumb:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: netn00b on Jan 23, 2012, 18:52:04
is mail working ?

3 times today i've requested confirmation of my user name and password for the idnet customer login and it tells me it's sent it to me but i have nothing received :(
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: meva on Jan 23, 2012, 20:08:58
I am having serious problems with my email using Windows Live and Thunderbird as email clients on 2 PCs accessing two email accounts - some 3 days after the failure. I run imap folders and both clients are timing out waiting for the imap server to respond - both download headers but only retrieve small messages of a couple of lines (anything larger causes timeout). I have spoken to the helpdesk who suggested removing and recreating the accounts - which I have done on both PCs. Webmail is OK if a little slow.

Does anyone have suggestions as to what could be wrong / more diagnostics? At the moment I find it difficult to believe the email service is operating normally.

Many thanks
Martin
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: pctech on Jan 23, 2012, 20:20:35
Think you'll need to go back to support as sounds like the servers are still not running as normal.

Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 23, 2012, 20:49:21
 :welc5: :karma:


Martin

My IMAP access has been troublesome until this evening but all seems well at present. I use a Mac and I've started from scratch a few times without benefit. BTW I use securemail.idnet.com on 993
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: JB on Jan 23, 2012, 21:44:20
Quote from: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 18:30:49
Update:

To those experiencing non receipt of sent emails, there was a spam attack on smtp.idnet.net and mail.idnet.net earlier on

Thanks Simon. Talk about unlucky!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: JB on Jan 23, 2012, 21:46:22
Quote from: netn00b on Jan 23, 2012, 18:52:04
3 times today i've requested confirmation of my user name and password for the idnet customer login and it tells me it's sent it to me but i have nothing received :(

An automated email from IDNet which was generated at 1640 has only just arrived here at 2140. It must be due to the spam attack. I'm sure yours will start to flow soon.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 23, 2012, 21:47:49
Mine took 90 mins for the same so things maybe improving. ;D
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 21:51:45
Quote from: meva on Jan 23, 2012, 20:08:58
I am having serious problems with my email using Windows Live and Thunderbird as email clients on 2 PCs accessing two email accounts - some 3 days after the failure. I run imap folders and both clients are timing out waiting for the imap server to respond - both download headers but only retrieve small messages of a couple of lines (anything larger causes timeout). I have spoken to the helpdesk who suggested removing and recreating the accounts - which I have done on both PCs. Webmail is OK if a little slow.

Does anyone have suggestions as to what could be wrong / more diagnostics? At the moment I find it difficult to believe the email service is operating normally.

Many thanks
Martin

:welc: :karma:

I've moved you into the mail server issues thread, so as to keep things tidy.  :)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 24, 2012, 14:28:53
Support have been dealing with my problems mentioned earlier. Result : I have now discovered that I have a problem relating to message size. This occurs with both Thunderbird and Windows Live. If I have emails <20k then everything works fine. 20->45k takes a long time but gets there. >48k forget it. Use webmail to move/delete the large email and the rest download. Seems hard to believe this is just the high load on the server while recovery takes place.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: esh on Jan 24, 2012, 18:28:21
One of the users here has just noticed they have a whole week of missing emails (nothing between the 14th and 20th). The message headers are still on all the blackberry handsets but the actual messages are completely gone. Is this likely to come back with the restoration? Should I contact support regarding this?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 24, 2012, 18:35:42
I think that's the only way you'll get an answer esh, are they POP3 or IMAP on the Blackberry
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 24, 2012, 18:36:01
As I understand it, any mail that was still on the server at the time of the crash, will be waiting to be restored.  Feel free to contact support, though, as I haven't spoken to them for an update today, so I don't know how things are going.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: meva on Jan 24, 2012, 20:57:01
I am still seeing very slow or no access to messages from the imap server - seems to be dependent upon size of message as Electrev describes. I am also missing email between 14th and 21st January. I have rased this with support who say that cause of v. poor imap performance is server load because of restoring large volumes of email. They expect this to be completed by this Friday. Given this I don't feel it is justified to describe the email service as providing a good service.

I have expressed my unhappiness. I would be interested in understanding the underlying architecture used for email as I thought that SANs + virtualisation had improved resilience so that this sort of outage shouldn't happen or have this impact.

Martin 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 24, 2012, 21:06:00
TBH, I'm not currently having any problems with IMAP or POP3, but maybe I'm lucky.  I do download all of my emails every evening, so I had none on the server to be restored, other than a few 'Sent' items which don't seem to have materialised again yet.

Quote from: meva on Jan 24, 2012, 20:57:01
I would be interested in understanding the underlying architecture used for email as I thought that SANs + virtualisation had improved resilience so that this sort of outage shouldn't happen or have this impact.

I have no idea, so I won't even try to answer that.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: MarlyM on Jan 25, 2012, 18:16:39
Had all my emails redelivered again today.

Anything else going on?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 25, 2012, 18:18:52
My wife had a load through today but they were all 'missing' ones I believe.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: MarlyM on Jan 25, 2012, 18:31:34
Quote from: Steve on Jan 25, 2012, 18:18:52
My wife had a load through today but they were all 'missing' ones I believe.

Mine were duplicates again.

Oh well, I had nothing to do this evening anyway!!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: esh on Jan 25, 2012, 22:04:30
Yeah, had a ton of dupe emails come through here as well.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 25, 2012, 23:24:12
I've had duplicates, but also some of my sent mail has now reappeared.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: krysia on Jan 27, 2012, 13:31:38
Just to say that all our missing mail (14-19 Jan) has now been restored to our IMAP accounts.

I was interested that Simon said
Quote from: Simon on Jan 23, 2012, 18:12:41

You can usually choose to leave mail on the server with POP3 . 
I've never seen any setting in OE that would allow this, which is why I go the IMAP route.  Obviously, it'd be perfect both to download messages and to leave them on the server so that they can be accessed from anywhere - how do you set up OE to do that?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Glenn on Jan 27, 2012, 13:42:23
http://www.hosting.com/support/email/pop3 its for 2002, but I would think other versions of Outlook have a similar option
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 13:46:45
It's usually just a tick box in the server settings. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 16:18:09
We have been advised that data recovery is now complete, and all mail should have been restored following last Friday's server crash.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 27, 2012, 16:22:45
I am still having problems with getting mail with a POP3 client. emails above 20K it slows down until at ~50k it seizes up. Spoke to support earlier (about 15:30) they confirmed all the restores had taken place and everything should now be working.

The only solution they could offer was to delete and reinstall my email account. As I have a second email address suffering with the same problem this does not sound convincing. However, I agreed to go ahead. Apparently this requires a system administrator and there will not be one available until Monday morning  :-X. Not sure where this leaves me other than in a bad place!

Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Glenn on Jan 27, 2012, 16:25:10
Rather than deleting the accounts, what happens if you create a new account from within your account control panel and send large test mails to that?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 27, 2012, 16:29:09
The second email address I refered to was created last weekend and still suffers from the problem. However, I will try a third but I think it is clutching a straws.

Trevor
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 16:46:32
Have you tried a different smtp server, Trev?  I think you can use .com or .net. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 16:54:22
I've just spoken to Brian, and he's again confirmed that everything should be working as normal.  As an elimination test, he has suggested disabling any anti virus / anti spam software you may have on your computer, then try sending the mail, as apparently, sometimes these can interact with large capacity messages. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 27, 2012, 17:02:57
Created anothe new account without any luck.

I do not appear to be able to set up an account on .net only .com

I had tried disabling antivirus on my email earlier without any luck and i have just tried it again. Not my favourite test! Still no improvement.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 17:13:24
Can you post a screenshot of the error message, masking any personal data?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 17:17:03
Also, just checking, are you using an IDNet connection to send mail?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 27, 2012, 17:44:23
I am using Idnet to send, while I use this for my tests I have also received emails from outside that trigger the problem. The only common denomiator is size.

The error messages I get on the Thunderbird error console (there are no others):

Error: [Exception... "'Component is not available' when calling method: [nsIActivityManager::removeActivity]"  nsresult: "0x80040111 (NS_ERROR_NOT_AVAILABLE)"  location: "JS frame :: resource:///modules/activity/pop3Download.js :: <TOP_LEVEL> :: line 158"  data: no]
Source File: resource:///modules/activity/pop3Download.js
Line: 158

Error: uncaught exception: [Exception... "Component returned failure code: 0x8055000a [nsIMsgIncomingServer.getNewMessages]"  nsresult: "0x8055000a (<unknown>)"  location: "JS frame :: chrome://messenger/content/mailWindowOverlay.js :: GetNewMsgs :: line 2407"  data: no]


The mail agent runs for a few minutes (rotating disc on top rt hand corner of window) and then times out. Note the error messages do not always occur and sometimes appear when receiving small emails normally.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 17:50:39
The error message doesn't give much away to me, but it may do to a more technical eye.  Have you forwarded it to IDNet?  If you address it to brian[at]idnet.net he should know what it's about, as I spoke to him earlier about it, which you can mention if you like. 

Other possibility - Thunderbird issue?  Reinstall?  :dunno:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 17:50:53
A bit historical and may not be relevant with the later versions of Thunderbird but you could change the way it handled larger emails by turning off 'fetch by chunks' i.e. stop it fragmenting larger emails


Edit: Not sure whether this relates to POP3 emails as well as IMAP though.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: duggy on Jan 27, 2012, 17:58:26
My first post here so hi to everyone.
I am in exactly the same position as ElectricTrev in not been able to download emails larger than a few kB and have tried disabling antivirus, disabling firewall, different email client, new email address; however nothing I try seems to make any difference.
The problem started on Saturday which I think was when the email server issue started.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 18:03:08
 :welc: :karma: Duggy

At least Trevor's not on his own, I think you need to contact support, hopefully with more than one suffering similarly a solution can be found.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 18:05:23
Ditto.

:welc: :karma:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: duggy on Jan 27, 2012, 18:09:37
I have contacted support once by phone and three times by email, and the reply I get is that the mail server is fully functional and the problem must be with my pc.
Regarding Thunderbird, that is what I normally use, but have tried Windows Live Mail and I just get the same problem in that it cannot download emails greater than a few kB.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 27, 2012, 18:10:04
Quote from: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 17:50:39
The error message doesn't give much away to me, but it may do to a more technical eye.  Have you forwarded it to IDNet?  If you address it to brian[at]idnet.net he should know what it's about, as I spoke to him earlier about it, which you can mention if you like. 

Other possibility - Thunderbird issue?  Reinstall?  :dunno:

I will forward to brian as you suggest.

So far I have:

Re-installed Thunderbird twice on my main machine.
Installed Live Mail and this has the same problem.
Installed Thunderbird on a second machine which also shows the problem.

Thanks for your efforts

Trevor
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 18:14:10
I don't think there's anything else we can do here. Do keep us posted, and if anyone else has the issue, please post here, but also contact support as if there's a common factor, it may give them a clue as to the problem / solution. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: psp83 on Jan 27, 2012, 18:14:25
Just a shot in the dark..

Have you tried running Thunderbird in safe mode & seeing what happens?

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Safe_Mode
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: psp83 on Jan 27, 2012, 18:25:10
Also, what does it say when you log into your account?

Exisiting Addresses > Message Filters > Set Max Message Size

(http://psp83.co.uk/pics/email-settings.jpg)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 18:36:10
Does that not imply there's no max size set there as that equates to 100 Mb which is huge.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 27, 2012, 18:37:27
Paul,
I spotted the message size limit at the start of all this so that has not been a problem.

Just tried safe mode but it does not seem to change anything.

I think Simon is right with duggy  (and I am sure there are others) suffering the same problem it is really down to support now.

Trevor
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: psp83 on Jan 27, 2012, 18:38:10
Quote from: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 18:36:10
Does that not imply there's no max size set there as that equates to 100 Mb which is huge.

That was the default set on my emails.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 18:38:48
And, it's not just Thunderbird, is it? 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 18:39:45
But having just tried a 2Mb attachment via IMAP test, I can see it but I can't download it.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: duggy on Jan 27, 2012, 18:41:01
I have just tried both Thunderbird in safemode and in Windows safemode, both made no difference, thanks anyway.

Sorry  psp83 do not quite follow where the Max Message setting is. Is it Tools>Message Filters, as I cannot find Existing Addresses?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 18:44:30
Same error, Steve?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 18:45:50
If it was a mail client size issue, would the error message not say so?  :dunno:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 18:48:32
Quote from: duggy on Jan 27, 2012, 18:41:01
I have just tried both Thunderbird in safemode and in Windows safemode, both made no difference, thanks anyway.

Sorry  psp83 do not quite follow where the Max Message setting is. Is it Tools>Message Filters, as I cannot find Existing Addresses?

That's on the IDNet customer portal.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 18:52:40
Quote from: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 18:44:30
Same error, Steve?

Apologies it has now arrived it's must have taken around 20mins to get that 2Mb file.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 27, 2012, 21:17:38
Quote from: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 18:52:40
Apologies it has now arrived it's must have taken around 20mins to get that 2Mb file.

"Luxury! I can only dream of 2MB in 20 mins" (with apologies to Monty Python)

In this thread meva, duggy and I are all reporting the fully blown problem but it looks as though poor download speed is more widespread.

Just used Download(eml) in Webmail 2 secs for 3.2MB. Puts things in perspective.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 22:03:05
These emails that are slow to send / download, presumably they all contain attachments, yes?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 22:14:04
Perhaps I could be courageous and state that we are all suffering from poor performance on IDNet email addresses. I've tried a couple of tests this evening with a 650K file attachment and it takes on average 4-5 minutes to download that attachment.ie 2Kb/s.

If  I send that same attachment to another domain outside IDNet it takes a couple of seconds to download at the most.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Technical Ben on Jan 27, 2012, 22:30:31
Great to hear the files/emails were recovered!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 22:38:44
I've emailed IDNet and pointed them at this thread, but I don't know if they will respond over the weekend.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 27, 2012, 22:43:04
Thanks Simon.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: duggy on Jan 27, 2012, 22:51:39
Just to clarify Simon, I do not have any problem sending emails, it is just downloading.
Any emails that successfully download are very slow to do so, and I just tried without attachments and managed to download a 40KB email but could not download a 100KB one.  Previously I had been struggling to download a 30KB email containing an attachment.



Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 23:33:19
OK, well there's obviously a problem, albeit slightly different between users, and it seems to be size related.  Hopefully IDNet will be able to work out what's going on when they read the thread.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Glenn on Jan 28, 2012, 08:16:05
For the error code http://www.theemailadmin.com/2009/06/troubleshooting-error-code-0x80040111/ which looks like it's server side.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 28, 2012, 08:33:25
Similar here although it's not exactly the same error

http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=1911257
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Ray on Jan 28, 2012, 09:17:17
I've just sent an email with a 4Mb attachment to one of my Idnet email addys with no problem and received it back within a couple of minutes and it downloaded in a few seconds.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 09:21:48
Thanks Ray.  Maybe they've kicked something?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 28, 2012, 09:44:25
Unfortunately not I am still seeing the same problem. Just had a 136k message (no attachment) timeout. The puzzle is why different people see the problem at different severities.

Incidentally the attachment thing is just a red herring. Simply that large emails usually contain an attachment. Which is why they are so large. Caught me out at the start.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 28, 2012, 09:45:07
Thanks Ray. However I just tried a 2Mb attachment again myself and it took 11mins to download from mail.idnet.com via POP3, so it's not universal I guess.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Ray on Jan 28, 2012, 10:38:33
I've just sent a 706k text email message to both my Idnet email accounts and received them both back within a couple of minutes almost instant download. Is the problem with certain mail clients only? I'm using Outlook 2010.  :-\
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 28, 2012, 11:27:05
Not sure Ray I'm using Mail on the Mac .Normal mail download rate  from other domains i.e. me.com and my own domain is in the order of 600-700Kb/s as opposed to the 2-5Kb/s from Idnet mail servers
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 13:01:20
As the issues seem to be inconsistent, perhaps it would help if each person with a problem posted whether their issue is with sending, receiving, or both, which mail servers they are using, which mail client(s) they are using, message size, and whether an attachment or not.  That concise information may help IDNet when they read the thread. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: esh on Jan 28, 2012, 15:56:53
I can confirm the missing week of emails have all come back.

Top stuff, everyone. Thanks for your efforts on this.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Bill on Jan 28, 2012, 17:19:53
Just a thought... I'm not having any problems with downloading large emails, but I  have recently noticed a lot more spam than usual (my filters are turned off, so I notice it). Could the slowdowns for some users  be due to spam attacks causing their accounts to be excessively busy?

(The spam mails tell me how much the sender loves me, and gives a link to an e-card for me to open... yeah, right ;D )
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: meva on Jan 28, 2012, 17:40:27
Simon,
Friday has come and gone, email has been recovered and I still have almost unusable imap service (imap.idnet.com). I have tried three email clients on different PCs and different email addresses (Outlook 2010, Thunderbird, Windows Live) and have the same symptoms which is that I can download headers but I get server timeouts or long (infinite) waits depending upon the client to download the message bodies of all but the smallest email messages. I can send email with large attachments (4Mb) no problem - so smtp server seems fine. Webmail client is fine.

Thank you Simon, Steve, Ray and everybody else helping to get idnet to focus on this problem.
Martin
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 17:53:27
Hi Martin,

As you'll most likely be aware, support is limited over the weekends with IDNet.  I think you will need to contact them directly on Monday about this problem.  Just a thought, though, assuming you are using an IDNet connection, have you tried imap.idnet.net?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 17:55:40
Incidentally, I'm using imap.idnet.com without any problems.  :-\
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 28, 2012, 17:58:53
We'll continue to persevere ,It's odd that Simon  as the only servers I'm aware of for both POP3 and IMAP are mail.idnet.com and securemail.idnet.com which is confirmed by the setup guides. Perhaps I'll give the IMAP one a try.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 18:05:50
I may have got it wrong, but I'm sure I was told that either could be used.  It'll either work or it won't. 

One other thing, can you access your mail via webmail, Martin?  How much is sitting there?  Are there any particularly large emails waiting to download which might be blocking others?  I've had that once or twice. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 28, 2012, 18:08:08
Quote from: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 18:05:50
I may have got it wrong, but I'm sure I was told that either could be used.  It'll either work or it won't. 
 

Certainly it exists Simon but sadly for me it exhibits the same extremely slow throughput. Perhaps I'll try with the spam filter off
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 18:22:24
Another thought - if you can access via webmail, check that your inbox, and / or other folders aren't full of old or duplicate emails following the recovery.  The max mailbox size is 100Mb, max individual item / attachment, 10Mb.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 28, 2012, 18:44:10
Turning the spam filter off made no difference at all.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 19:13:32
How full is your mailbox, Steve?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 28, 2012, 19:17:38
It was deliberately empty Simon , well until it received the email ;D I really don't think there's anything anyone can do until support have a look at it again.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 19:26:17
Well, if the above is right, it was my idea.  If it's wrong, it was Rik's.  :evil:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: meva on Jan 28, 2012, 21:37:25
Simon,
I've been managing my email using the webmail client which works fine. So I know there is no large message at the "front" of the queue holding up the email queue as I've been deleting emails. My email usage is at about 5%. I'm not getting much spam - rarely do on my idnet addresses as I don't use them for registering on web sites / forums etc.

Seems to me to be a specific problem accessing imap server on port 143. Makers no difference if I use mail.idnet.com or imap.idnet.com - same issue.

Three of us at least seem to have this problem - you, Simon, seem to be OK. So I wonder whether there is some problem between the BT/idnet connection and the imap server associated with accessing port 143 - load balancing or different routing dependent upon geography / ip address?

Thanks,
Martin
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: JB on Jan 28, 2012, 21:54:19
Quote from: meva on Jan 28, 2012, 17:40:27
Friday has come and gone, email has been recovered and I still have almost unusable imap service (imap.idnet.com).

I have a problem retrieving email via pop3. I am using a pop3 client called CMailServer which polls a number of pop3 mailboxes, retrieves the email and then filters it to the users in my house. It has worked perfectly with IDNet pop3 until the mail server problem. It continues to work perfectly with a number of other pop3 retrievals but not with IDNet.

For some strange reason, although it logs perfectly in to the IDNet pop3 account, the email is not retrieved and then is deleted, presumably by my client which thinks it has retrieved it. Here is a test sequence I have used:-

1) From GMail I send myself (xxxx.xxx@idnet.com) a test message.
2) I log into my IDNet mailbox via webmail and I can see and read the message perfectly.
3) I allow my CMailServer to poll the IDNet pop3 account to retrieve that email. This logs in perfectly but no email is retrieved.
4) I then log back in via webmail and the message has been deleted.
5) I send myself another message from GMail.
6) I set my CMailServer option to 'retrieve but leave the messages on the server'. I poll again, connection is fine but no message is retrieved.
7) I log in again via webmail and the message is still there but refuses to be retrieved.

I know this sounds a bit complicated, but it appears to me that my CmailServer thinks the message has been received and (when allowed to) issues a delete command.

Maybe this is a different problem to what is being discussed above or maybe it is another symptom of the same issue. I do know however that this setup worked perfectly with IDNet until the mail server was replaced and continues to work correctly with pop3 retrieval from a number of other providers.

I'm at a loss to know what else to try. Because of this I have had to move my incoming email away from IDNet.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 22:04:36
Quote from: meva on Jan 28, 2012, 21:37:25
Simon,
I've been managing my email using the webmail client which works fine. So I know there is no large message at the "front" of the queue holding up the email queue as I've been deleting emails. My email usage is at about 5%. I'm not getting much spam - rarely do on my idnet addresses as I don't use them for registering on web sites / forums etc.

Seems to me to be a specific problem accessing imap server on port 143. Makers no difference if I use mail.idnet.com or imap.idnet.com - same issue.

Three of us at least seem to have this problem - you, Simon, seem to be OK. So I wonder whether there is some problem between the BT/idnet connection and the imap server associated with accessing port 143 - load balancing or different routing dependent upon geography / ip address?

Thanks,
Martin

I'm just clutching at straws really, trying to make suggestions.  I am accessing imap.idnet.com on port 143 without any trouble, and as we've only had a small number of people on here who are experiencing problems, it has to be assumed that it's not a widespread issue.

I can only now suggest that anyone affected by this contacts IDNet, either by email any time, or by phone on Monday, but do keep us posted here as to what's happening.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 28, 2012, 22:57:43
Unfortunately evey time someone comes up with a theory someone has to shoot it down. On this occassion it is me. I am using POP3 on port 110. duggy has never specified what he is using. Although only a small group of us are reporting problems here I suspect the problem goes wider.

At present I feel that idnet are so shell shocked by the events of last week that this additional problem has not registered with them. A number of us have contacted them, on more than one occassion, but as far as I can see they have yet to make a serious attempt to track the problem down.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 28, 2012, 23:07:16
This is a blank email with a 375kb attachment to a IDNet POP3 account,enabling logging on the Apple Mail.app you can see precisely how long it takes to download i.e. 183 secs or just over 2Kb/sec.



28/01/2012 22:59:14.091 [0x0-0x3ce3ce].com.apple.mail: [LogPOPFetchTimes] Time to retrieve all 1 messages = 183.244 (183.24430 s/msg)



A temporary solution for those that are suffering from poor email performance is to forward all mail intended for an idnet.com address to another non idnet email account,this can be setup via the message filter option on the IDNet customer portal. I think that's why I didn't realise I had a performance issue until I turned off some mail forwards from idnet.com email addresses. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 28, 2012, 23:41:43
Trevor, you could be right that the problem goes wider, but unless people report it, we don't know.  It's obviously not affecting everyone. 

I would hope that IDNet will look into this properly on Monday.  They only usually deal with 'no connection' issues out of normal support hours. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: zappaDPJ on Jan 29, 2012, 17:27:44
I have also been having issues since the outage, particularly sending/receiving emails containing large attachments (1mb-10mb via Outlook). However that problem has now been resolved for me and as far as I can tell, everything is working as intended.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: duggy on Jan 29, 2012, 17:53:17
Trev, I am also using POP3 on port 110.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 29, 2012, 17:57:29
Mines  still receiving at the same rate as yesterday

29/01/2012 17:51:26.577 [0x0-0x481481].com.apple.mail: [LogPOPFetchTimes] Time to retrieve and route messages = 239.357


That's 239 secs for a 650k attachment =2.7Kb/sec
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 30, 2012, 09:42:27
Zap,
If you solved the problem can you tell us the cause and solution please?

Trevor
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 30, 2012, 09:51:55
Quote from: Simon on Jan 27, 2012, 17:50:39
The error message doesn't give much away to me, but it may do to a more technical eye.  Have you forwarded it to IDNet?  If you address it to brian[at]idnet.net he should know what it's about, as I spoke to him earlier about it, which you can mention if you like. 

Other possibility - Thunderbird issue?  Reinstall?  :dunno:

I sent the information as suggested. Brian has responded
Quotemail logs show a number of 'connection reset by peer' messages suggesting Thunderbird is hanging up the connection to the server.
He suggested increasing the timers on Thunderbird. I have rejected this as it does not address the core issue. Clearly the reason Thunderbird hangs up is because it is getting nothing from the server and it won't hang around forever. As we know this is an issue for a number of agents not just Thunderbird.

I still feel that this issue is failing to get traction within IDNet.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 30, 2012, 10:18:27
From my communications with IDNet, I can assure you that they are continuing to investigate the issue, but unfortunately, can currently see no obvious problems, hence no obvious solutions. 

They did say that several users got blocked for trying continuously to send mail via the pop/imap server, which they resolved on Saturday afternoon and several users are currently temporarily blocked for invalid password attempts, which will automatically reset in around 15 minutes.

Sorry if that doesn't help you.  Hopefully they will find something today. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: brian_idnet on Jan 30, 2012, 14:00:10
We recognize a few users are having this issue and are still investigating, however, this is taking a little longer to try and find the cause as any in-house tests we have run so far have failed to replicate the issue. Please bear with us while we continue to investigate and run some further tests.

Brian
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Glenn on Jan 30, 2012, 14:01:25
Thanks for the update, Brian
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 30, 2012, 14:17:09
Given my remarks earlier today I feel the need to update the position.

I have had a discussion with Brian it is clear that IDNet are now putting considerable effort into resolving the issue. They have gone to considerable trouble to reproduce the symptoms including setting up a test server.

:fingers: we await developments.

Trevor
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: ElectricTrev on Jan 30, 2012, 15:52:18
Progress  :D

Brian has altered my static IP address and made some other (unspecified changes) the result my email is going like a rocket. (300k < 1 sec)

The exact cause of the problem is still under investigation. To me this looks like a problem with the incoming ip socket. Odd ...very odd.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 30, 2012, 16:15:58
At least they're getting to the bottom of it.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Jan 30, 2012, 16:17:05
Thanks Trevor , hopefully they can pin point the issue as to why certain IP addresses are being effectively throttled by the mail server.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 30, 2012, 17:05:05
I've been told that only five users have reported problems.  Those users have been allocated new IPs, which appears to have resolved the issue.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: duggy on Jan 30, 2012, 17:37:46
I have reported the problem several times, and do not seem to have been given a new IP address so the problem is still not resolved for me.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 30, 2012, 18:12:38
Apparently you need to call them direct, Duggy.  If you ring now, they should still be there.  0800 331 7000.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: duggy on Jan 30, 2012, 18:30:45
Thanks Simon.
Just gave them a call and now have new IP address and working email.  :)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Jan 30, 2012, 18:32:40
Great!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: wkb21 on Feb 01, 2012, 18:24:26
Compared with most of you, my problem is trivial but irritating.  Since the server crash, I am receiving identical duplicate emails at exactly the same time for about 75% of incoming mail to idnet.com.

Any clues please?

KB
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Feb 01, 2012, 18:29:30
No idea , I can understand why a restore may duplicate things but why it should continue once they've cleared?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Feb 01, 2012, 21:43:50
You'd be best off checking with IDNet.  There has been some odd goings on since the server restore.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Rik on Feb 02, 2012, 09:37:31
Quote from: ElectricTrev on Jan 30, 2012, 14:17:09
I have had a discussion with Brian it is clear that IDNet are now putting considerable effort into resolving the issue. They have gone to considerable trouble to reproduce the symptoms including setting up a test server.

Trevor

You do realise the last mail server to crash was called Trevor, don't you?  :evil:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Tacitus on Feb 02, 2012, 10:37:33
Welcome back Rik.  Good to see you around again  :)  Don't tax yourself, although I can't see Su allowing that to happen  ;D
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Rik on Feb 02, 2012, 10:43:04
She has me on a time-lock, Tac. ;D Thanks, it's good to be back.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Feb 02, 2012, 11:08:32
Tax??  I thought that was just for people who worked for a living.  :evil: ;D
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: pctech on Feb 02, 2012, 15:17:26
Quote from: Rik on Feb 02, 2012, 09:37:31
You do realise the last mail server to crash was called Trevor, don't you?  :evil:

Least it wasn't called Mir or Atlantis which were the names of the last two mail servers I was on at work, boh crashed regular as clockwork.

Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Technical Ben on Feb 02, 2012, 16:18:07
Quote from: pctech on Feb 02, 2012, 15:17:26
Least it wasn't called Mir or Atlantis which were the names of the last two mail servers I was on at work, boh crashed regular as clockwork.



So did Atlantis rise back up or sink to never return?
Mir could keep going around and around on a daily basis but tended to get it's status stuck up in the air?
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Feb 02, 2012, 16:19:15
But neither have ever crashed (Atlantis being the last shuttle)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: pctech on Feb 02, 2012, 16:25:38
Pass, just got a message to say I was being moved onto a server called Epping (mail servers are now given the names of forests)

Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Glenn on Feb 02, 2012, 16:36:16
Quote from: Steve on Feb 02, 2012, 16:19:15
But neither have ever crashed (Atlantis being the last shuttle)

But it is lost without a trace, according to mythology
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Rik on Feb 03, 2012, 10:20:56
So am I...  ;D
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Feb 21, 2012, 06:46:38
I'm being told that secure mail.idnet.com IMAP port 993 is timing out on all three of my Idnet email accounts. :bawl:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: sobranie on Feb 21, 2012, 06:50:39
Nil mail here too (SW Cornwall). (Unable to connect message). I hear IDNet are going to offer the message as a screen saver!!!!! :dunno:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: mervl on Feb 21, 2012, 07:09:59
Yep, Outlook (which I set to download automatically after the last event) is sending me a message that IDNet's mail server has been down for the last 4 hours (last connect 2am)! Same time again, it's that gremlin that prowls about in the early hours. IDNet's website is not loading for me either.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Den on Feb 21, 2012, 07:47:18
I musy admit this is starting to get abit stupid now. I have always been happy with Idnet but I am starting to think again.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Feb 21, 2012, 07:49:05
Same here, no email and idnet site will not load, oddly when this happened yesterday trying to get to the idnet site caused my internet to grind to a halt almost, had a ton of DOS messages (yes its a netgear) but I never get them normally, no idea what was going on there. That lasted for about 3 minutes. I must admit to being a little tired of glitches right now.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: joe on Feb 21, 2012, 07:50:59
Same here. Cannot get mail and cannot get www.idnet.net either.
Perhaps BT will not be so bad after all.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Feb 21, 2012, 08:08:26
It's disappointing, the website has been down since early yesterday evening. We have  heard nothing on the user forum either. I assume the rss feed may also not be functioning as it's not changed to reflect the website and mail server problems.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Feb 21, 2012, 08:10:30
Quote from: Steve on Feb 21, 2012, 08:08:26
It's disappointing, the website has been down since early yesterday evening. We have  heard nothing on the user forum either.
It came back for a while last night, Steve. Then vanished again, no idea what's causing the issue. Some communication from IDNet would be useful. My rss feed seems to have stopped on the 19th for some reason.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: JB on Feb 21, 2012, 08:32:38
This seems to be a really bad patch for IDNet. Main web page down for me also.

FWIW my email collection seems to be working OK using SSL on port 995.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Feb 21, 2012, 08:36:07
Email working again here now. SSL Port 995.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Lance on Feb 21, 2012, 08:36:28
Working for me too.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Feb 21, 2012, 08:37:41
Main page is back up again, it would be good to find out what's been happening though.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Ardua on Feb 21, 2012, 09:03:32
Mail is back up here as well but I cannot log in to check 'my account'.

Correction:  I have been able to Log In; however, the IDNet SuperHighway seems to be littered with massive potholes. The page timed out before I got to the usage checker page.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Feb 21, 2012, 09:20:39
Quote from: Ardua on Feb 21, 2012, 09:03:32
Mail is back up here as well but I cannot log in to check 'my account'.

Correction:  I have been able to Log In; however, the IDNet SuperHighway seems to be littered with massive potholes. The page timed out before I got to the usage checker page.
All seems ok here, for now.  ::)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Ardua on Feb 21, 2012, 09:30:16
Got to the usage page eventually. Sadly, it has not been updated for the 20th. Not a big issue but it would be nice to know what is going on in IDNet Towers.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Feb 21, 2012, 09:38:09
Quote from: Ardua on Feb 21, 2012, 09:30:16
Got to the usage page eventually. Sadly, it has not been updated for the 20th. Not a big issue but it would be nice to know what is going on in IDNet Towers.
Same here, everything is listed as the 19th still.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Feb 21, 2012, 09:40:49
I've asked IDNet for an update.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Feb 21, 2012, 10:11:00
Quote from: Simon on Feb 21, 2012, 09:40:49
I've asked IDNet for an update.
Wrong coloured cables I bet  ;)
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Feb 21, 2012, 10:42:08
There has been some trouble with a database server this morning which has prevented successful authentications. They think they've got it sorted now.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Rik on Feb 21, 2012, 10:45:17
 :fingers:
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Gary on Feb 21, 2012, 10:57:23
Over the last two weeks I have had the occasional blip with websites not loading, and once the router lost connection reconnected and gained a really odd gateway address (tried another router, same issue)  :dunno:  Could be work here at the exchange, but changing DNS servers helped with the browsing issues. Last night when the idnet main page went down, browsing slowed badly for a few minutes as well, pages just would not load. :(
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: mervl on Feb 21, 2012, 11:34:21
No problems noticed with website loading, and the desktop sidebar widget (which I got via this forum) to connect to IDNet's usage database (which I use on my vista laptop) still updates in real time even when the web interface usage stats occasionally do not update.
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Simon on Feb 21, 2012, 11:51:44
I had a few instances of blank forum pages earlier, but it's been fine for the last hour or so. 
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: jeffb on Mar 07, 2012, 15:58:27
Here's a success story to cheer up the support guys. I have been struggling with slow email with frequent timeouts, especially with emails over about 20k in size, ever since the Great Mail Server Crash that started this thread. I finally found time to call IDNet Tech Support today: they gave me a new IP address and told me to reset my router, and within seconds my IMAP email access was back to full speed. If only I had called earlier.  :slap: Thanks Brian!  :thumb:

P.S. The spell-checker built into this forum doesn't recognise the word 'IDNet'. Sort it out!
Title: Re: Mail Server Issues
Post by: Steve on Mar 07, 2012, 19:27:08
Thanks Jeff for the spellcheck comment, we've added 'idnet' to the list of known words although we can't differentiate between upper and lower case.