SMTP 251 User Not Local vs 334 Server Challenge
SMTP 251 (User Not Local) is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 334 (Server Challenge) is a 3xx Positive Intermediate response. 251 indicates that the recipient is not local to the server, but it will forward the message to the specified forwarding address. The server acts as a relay for this recipient. In contrast, 334 means that the server is issuing an authentication challenge as part of the SASL authentication exchange. The response contains a Base64-encoded challenge that the client must decode and respond to.
Описание
The recipient is not local to the server, but it will forward the message to the specified forwarding address. The server acts as a relay for this recipient.
Когда вы это видите
When sending to a recipient whose mailbox is hosted on a different server. The current server knows the forwarding address and will relay the message on your behalf.
Как исправить
No fix needed — the message will be forwarded automatically. To avoid relaying, send directly to the address provided in the server's response.
Описание
The server is issuing an authentication challenge as part of the SASL authentication exchange. The response contains a Base64-encoded challenge that the client must decode and respond to.
Когда вы это видите
During the AUTH command handshake. The server is prompting you for your username or password (Base64-encoded) as part of the multi-step authentication process.
Как исправить
Respond with the appropriate Base64-encoded credentials. If authentication keeps failing after responding, verify your credentials and ensure you are using the correct SASL mechanism.
Ключевые различия
251 is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 334 is a 3xx Positive Intermediate response.
SMTP 251: The recipient is not local to the server, but it will forward the message to the specified forwarding address. The server acts as a relay for this recipient.
SMTP 334: The server is issuing an authentication challenge as part of the SASL authentication exchange. The response contains a Base64-encoded challenge that the client must decode and respond to.
You encounter 251 when when sending to a recipient whose mailbox is hosted on a different server. The current server knows the forwarding address and will relay the message on your behalf.
You encounter 334 when during the AUTH command handshake. The server is prompting you for your username or password (Base64-encoded) as part of the multi-step authentication process.
Когда что использовать
For 251 (User Not Local): No fix needed — the message will be forwarded automatically. To avoid relaying, send directly to the address provided in the server's response. For 334 (Server Challenge): Respond with the appropriate Base64-encoded credentials. If authentication keeps failing after responding, verify your credentials and ensure you are using the correct SASL mechanism.