Editorial

What Happened to Email?

Published on:

June 28, 2014

In version 5.2.3 we made significant updates to the email client, addressing issues with Linux systems and multi-tenant environments. The email client initially used a single loop, which caused issues with stability and multi-tenant functionality - a problem with one email server affected all domains. The solution was to switch to a multi-threaded client, but this introduced its own challenges, especially with the STARTTLS command during the switch between unencrypted and encrypted traffic. After a second build to fix these issues, the email client is now more reliable, with fast, independent email delivery for each tenant. If you upgraded before June 28, we recommend reapplying the upgrade to ensure all the fixes are in place.

Those who watched release 5.2.3 closely might wonder what was going on with the email client. The first build had major problems with Linux operating systems. A second build was necessary to get it working again with popular email services.

Email has become an essential component in today's telephone systems. Many vendors use the term "unified communications" because of this. Honestly, we never understood what this term stands for, so we avoided the buzzword. Notwithstanding, the good old SMTP protocol delivers notifications and messages that are available on a telephone system, fast and reliably across a very large range of devices.

The old email client was using a single loop for all system messages. Every email reset the client, and he or she could start all over again. We had the email client run in its own thread, so things like timeouts and connects could be easily programmed.

There were problems with this approach, however. First of all, multithreaded tasks are always a source for trouble. If problems occur, they occur on a random basis; some of them occur only sometimes, and those are the hardest to fix. That wasn’t even the biggest problem, as we got the email client working pretty stable. A bigger problem was that in a multi-tenant environment, every domain might use its own email server. When that email server was down, all other domains were also affected. Email would still eventually go out, but it could take a long time before it happened. This was against the rule that every tenant should be working independently from anyone else.

When we changed the client to multi-tenant we of course tried to preserve the proven logic from the single loop client. Because most email servers support a dynamic switching from unencrypted to encrypted traffic using the STARTTLS command, however, our new client got into trouble when the second email was sent out right after the first. The TLS context was still the same, and what the PBX essentially did was a CONTINUETLS command. Unfortunately, no email server supports this, so we needed to come up with another build that also fixes that problem.

If you upgraded to 5.2.3 before June 28, we recommend you repeat the upgrade to make sure you got those last-minute email patches. Then you can enjoy fast and reliable email like never before.

Latest Articles

View All

Real Telecom and CallSmart Announce the Integration of the Vodia PBX with the CallSmart

Real Telecom and CallSmart have announced the integration of the Vodia PBX with the CallSmart AI communication platform, delivering a feature-rich, cost-effective voice solution tailored for modern dental and healthcare practices. The integration empowers clinics with advanced call center functionality, HIPAA-compliant data security, and seamless communication tools that reduce missed appointments and enhance patient engagement. CallSmart’s AI captures missed calls and automatically engages patients via SMS, while Vodia PBX ensures easy installation and reliable performance.

May 13, 2025

Fast and Easy: Vodia Prepaid Cloud for Microsoft Azure

Vodia’s prepaid cloud PBX solution for Microsoft Azure enables businesses to quickly deploy a fully licensed, enterprise-grade phone system without the complexity of traditional installations. Designed for speed, scalability, and ease of use, the offering supports packages for up to 80 users and includes a Teams-certified Session Border Controller (SBC) that allows seamless integration of Vodia PBX features—such as auto-attendants, call queues, and intelligent routing—directly within Microsoft Teams. Whether you’re an SMB or a growing enterprise, Vodia’s prepaid PBX is a powerful and flexible solution that’s easy to scale as your business evolves.

May 12, 2025

Unlocking Swift Communication: The Vodia Prepaid DigitalOcean Cloud Advantage!

Vodia’s prepaid offering on DigitalOcean provides businesses with a fast, flexible way to deploy a fully licensed PBX system. Our tailored plans include options for SBC functionality, certified for MS Teams, enabling seamless integration of advanced PBX features like intelligent call routing, automated attendants, and voicemail, all while ensuring secure, high-fidelity voice communication. With extension-based licensing, organizations can easily scale their system from 10 to 80 extensions, making deployment simple and quick. Whether you’re new to PBX systems or an experienced developer, our step-by-step installation video and documentation guide you through the setup process.

May 5, 2025