How do I... Configure SQL Mail in SQL Server 2000?

This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and a download.

As a database administrator, I like automation. When it comes to my backups, I like to automate as much as possible. SQL Mail gives me the ability to know when my backups are successful and when they fail.

SQL Mail is a component of SQL Server that allows you to send mail. Some of its functions include the ability to send messages to an e-mail pager and to send results via the extended stored procedure (xp_sendmail).

SQL Mail allows you to send and receive e-mail by working side by side with a mail server. There are two services that handle SQL Mail with SQL Server 2000: MSSQLServer and SQLServerAgent. I am going to explain how to configure and take advantage of this hidden gem.

Setup

Before you configure SQL Mail, you will need to configure a mailbox, mail profile, and a Windows 2000 account to start SQL Server. If you are using Exchange, you need a domain account. If you are using a basic POP3/SMTP mail server, you need a local or domain account. For the purposes of this download, I will show you how to configure a POP3/SMTP mail server.

You will begin by creating an account on your domain that will be used to configure SQL Mail.