http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlagent/archive/2010/11/04/database-mail-validating-your-smtp-mail-server-configuration-using-powershell.aspxDatabase mail relies on .NET framework's SMTP client API to send emails. You could write a simple power shell script like this to test out if you are able to send mails using your smtp server Sample Powershell Code to send email: 1: $smtpServeren-USTelligent Evolution Platform Developer Build (Build: 5.6.50428.7875)http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlagent/archive/2010/11/04/database-mail-validating-your-smtp-mail-server-configuration-using-powershell.aspx#10089162Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:16:33 GMT91d46819-8472-40ad-a661-2c78acb4018c:10089162Yuhong Li - MSFT<p>When you configure Database Mail, you will need to provide the credential as the required authentication. &nbsp;In this Powershell example, it means to set $smtp.Credentials to the authenticated account.</p> <div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=10089162" width="1" height="1">http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlagent/archive/2010/11/04/database-mail-validating-your-smtp-mail-server-configuration-using-powershell.aspx#10086288Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:34:43 GMT91d46819-8472-40ad-a661-2c78acb4018c:10086288Marc Mangus<p>What about if the server requires authentication (like BPOS)? Thanks!</p> <div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://blogs.msdn.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=10086288" width="1" height="1">