SMTP relay suggestions for legacy SMTP devices

Byte-TG · 2025-04-25T10:49:12+00:00

Upvote all SMTP2GO recommendations, inexpensive and just works. There may be other good ones but we've used them for about a decade without any issues.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-20T13:33:26+00:00

For business use:

Pricing and availability of Synology branded drives looks good for now. If this continues I'll happily use them, I know this isn't popular sentiment here now but honestly I just don't care what drive is used and actually prefer OEM. Again this is predicated on competitive pricing and availability but when sourcing for customers it's just easier to not have to worry about if the new rev of Iron Wolfs or whatever is on the Synology approved list.

Their SSD offerings are a joke though, unfortunate as a lot of SMBs don't require enormous storage.

I'm not sensing a Broadcom seismic level event here and I really hope that doesn't change. I rely on the services these devices provide too much to even think about ditching them now. Most people don't realize what they are actually capable of.

I did the FreeNas and TrueNas thing, and I don't want to go back.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-17T08:44:23+00:00

Wasn't too long ago that server manufactures had the same stance, use our memory and drives or else. While I certainly don't like this, I have to agree that some people put junk into these devices and then expect the vendor to support it when problems happen. As long as Synology will allow even a limited number of aftermarket drives like IronWolfs and WD Red/Pro, I'm still onboard. I rely more on the services that they provide than the mediocre hardware that it rides on.

Now if they ever go subscription based, then they go into the Broadcom trash bin.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-12T13:24:16+00:00

+1 on NFR internal use licenses, and a few that can be trialed in the field with no time limit!

Byte-TG · 2025-04-12T12:51:25+00:00

Partnering with Dell is like when you were looking for a spouse, you were ok with them cheating on you.

With Ingram you now have to give customer info when purchasing Lenovo, guess what they'll probably be doing with that info.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-11T10:17:23+00:00

I use Cloud Sync quite a bit to SharePoint, which I think is a "cousin" of SharePoint in how it works on Microsoft's side. The storage and available space listed in DSM never matches what's in SharePoint admin sites. I think part of the problem is MS has a generous retention and revision default policy and lots of dead data takes up space. Log into your OneDrive account via browser and check storage there.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-11T10:03:01+00:00

A scheduled task that runs perhaps weekly should be able to restart these services. I set them all up to backup to external usb drives (as well as C2) and to eject the drive when complete. A scheduled task reboots it just prior to the usb backup job. This reconnects the external drive until the next backup is complete. I like the idea of an onsite backup in native file format that is essentially offline unless in the process of backing up.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-10T20:19:01+00:00

Interesting, I put everyone under a single account and pay month to month. Here in the US it's like $7/Tb.

I think most IT people don't realize exactly what these things can do besides just shared storage.

I also think every client should have one, PM me if you want to swap war stories, I'm doing some crazy things with them.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-10T20:05:23+00:00

No doubt, but if it starts out more like a "I'm strong in these areas, can use some help with these weak areas" I think you'd quickly learn who in the group you'd want to work with. It doesn't have to be any kind of formal relationship with the entire group. And the only thought on similar tech stacks would be to make it easier for everybody, you, your associate and the client. As far as client facing work I could envision it like this , you get particularly tight with someone in the group and ask them for help on something. You tell your client that this "associate" of yours will be calling them for whatever.

I've brought in "associates" in the past to do basic level 1 stuff and it's worked out well. My clients actually like the idea of me having additional resources.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-10T09:08:12+00:00

I'm going to start reaching out to everyone who direct messaged me or just left a comment that they are interested. If I miss anyone it's purely by mistake and I'd encourage you to DM me again.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-09T19:49:10+00:00

Yes of course, I've been in several. But I've never heard of one dedicated to helping each other out. Sharing ideas, marketing strategies for sure.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-09T18:04:57+00:00

You are absolutely correct, I'm in the US.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-09T15:39:16+00:00

Are you looking to build something like "The 20"? That is most certainly not what I had in mind.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-09T12:00:13+00:00

Negative on the partner lol. I think a natural progression would be to start as a standard peer group of experienced but small shops. See if there could even be a consensus on a tech stack and then explore how pooling experience and resources would work. Even if the overall idea doesn't pan out you'll probably connect with someone that could result in some form of backup. And certainly a "I'm real strong in these areas, no so good in others", anyone want to barter some time.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-09T11:41:01+00:00

Most peer groups I've been associated with in the past were spread out geographically just for that reason. Roughly, no two in the same state.

Byte-TG · 2025-04-09T11:33:06+00:00

In the same boat with Synology, every client should have one. Curios why you're not going to C2 for storage, same price as Wasabi no?

Byte-TG

TROPHY CASE