[Alpine-info] what is the function of a *list* of smtp servers

[James Pittman]

Mark Crispin:


>> But what is the point of a *list* containing more than one server?



> If it can't connect to the first one, it'll try connecting to the next 

> one, and so on.


I have found this feature to be useful in the past.

Many ISPs or intranets will authorise connection to an smtp server based 
on IP address/hostname instead of username/password, so as to allow open 
access but limit it to only those using that ISP or within that 
network. For those who have to use such a set-up, but might connect to 
the internet from different places, it saves on having to change the 
smtp server with each location, albeit a bit slower when connecting 
somewhere where the server is lower down in the list, as it has to wait 
for the other(s) to fail first.

Nowadays I am lucky enough to have a user-authorised SMTP server that I 
can use from anywhere, but I also have my ISP's non-authorised SMTP 
which also works next in the list as a back-up.