Build Your Own ASP.NET 2.0 Web Site Using C# & VB, Second Edition

Other properties of MailMessage that you may need to use include

AlternateViews, BodyEncoding, DeliveryNotificationOptions, Headers,

Priority, ReplyTo, Sender, and SubjectEncoding.

The From field has the MailAddress type, representing an email address. The To,

CC, and Bcc properties are of the MailAddressCollection type, representing a

collection of MailAddress objects.

As you can see, there are lots of classes and properties that let you define email

messages. However, to be able to send these messages, you need access to a SMTP

server.

The standard email protocol of the Internet is Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

(SMTP). When you use ASP.NET to send an email, the message is relayed

through one or more SMTP servers on the way to its final destination. Most ISPs

provide an SMTP server for customers’ use; alternatively, if you’re using IIS, you

can make use of Windows’ built-in SMTP Server.

Configuring the SMTP Server

IIS Only

If you’re not using IIS, or you have access to an external SMTP server, you

can choose to skip this section.

In order to send an email, you need to connect to an SMTP server. On Windows,

an SMTP server is included with IIS, and you’ll need to configure this server if

you want to send email from ASP.NET. First, you need to make sure that the

SMTP service is running. Open the IIS applet to check its status. If the server is

stopped, you can right-click its icon and select Start to start it, as shown in Fig-

ure 14.13.

If the SMTP server entry doesn’t appear, you’ll need to install it using the process

outlined below. Note that the SMTP server is a component of IIS, so if you

haven’t installed IIS (or if your Windows version doesn’t support IIS, as is the

case with Windows XP Home) you won’t be able to install the SMTP server.

1.

Launch the Add or Remove Programs applet in Control Panel.

2.

Click Add/Remove Windows Components.

3.

Select the Internet Information Services item, and click Details….

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Configuring the SMTP Server

Figure 14.13. Starting the SMTP Virtual Server

4.

Select SMTP Service.

5.

Click OK, then Next.

6. Run the Internet Information Services utility again. This time, you should

see the SMTP service running.

Now that you have a running SMTP server, you need to configure it. In order

for email to be relayed correctly, perform the following steps:

1. Open the Internet Information Services utility.

2.

Right-click Default SMTP Virtual Server and choose Properties.

3.

Select the Access tab.

4.

Click Relay….

5.

Click the Add… button.

6. Add the localhost IP address: 127.0.0.1.

7.

Uncheck the Allow all computers… checkbox. The dialog should look similar

to Figure 14.14.

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Chapter 14: Working with Files and Email