Configure authentication for SMTP server connection

Best practice is to use a secure connection when using basic authentication. To use a secure connection with an SMTP server, enable the Use TLS option. The server must present a valid certificate for a secure connection to be established. To configure authentication for SMTP server connection, follow this procedure.

1. To start PI System Explorer, click Start > Programs > PI System > PI System Explorer.

2. Click on the PI System Explorer toolbar, or click File > Server Properties.

3. Click the Plug-Ins tab.

4. Scroll down to the Delivery Channel Plug-Ins section, then right-click Email and select Settings.

5. In the Email Delivery Channel Configuration window, click Authentication Options link under SMTP Server.

   Note: The same can be done for the Backup SMTP Server by clicking the link by the same name under it.

   Primary SMTP Server Authentication Options window opens.

6. Choose among the 3 authentication options.

   • Windows: PI Notifications Service will pass the network credentials of its service account to the SMTP server

   • Anonymous: no credentials will be provided to the SMTP server

   • Basic: enter a username and password the service will provide to the SMTP server

     Note: New username and password you put in will override existing credentials saved in the PI Notifications Service. For basic authentication in a failover cluster setting, see PI Server installation topic Install PI Notifications Service in a failover cluster.

7. Click Save and Close or Cancel.

8. Optional. Check Use TLS box to enable encryption with basic authentication. Otherwise, the username and password will be sent in plain text.