how to tell if my ISP is blocking email & web ports

[Gary]

Hi fbsd_user,

--On Wednesday, January 21, 2004 03:00:08 PM -0500 fbsd_user 
<fbsd_user at a1poweruser.com> wrote:

> I am thinking about enabling my gateway's sendmail email
> server to receive email directly from the public internet and
> also installing apache to serve my own home page.

Okay...

> I have 24/7 cable internet connection plus an registered
> domain name which goes no place right now.

Err... you have DSL then.. most likely..

Do you have a static IP?  Also, in order to do the above, you will need to 
run DNS, or some variant, tinydns so that the world knows where to find 
you. Otherwise, you have an exercise in futility. <g>
>
> I know I can not ask my ISP's tech support if they block
> ports 110, 25, and 80, because they will get suspicious
> and monitor my account. Want to stay under their radar.

Probably wise, but most likely, they don't care.

> So I need a way to test if the ports are blocked or not using an
> friends PC and my current  IP address.
>
> What do you recommend?

1. From your mail headers, your ISP is adelphia.net.  I don't think they 
block anything.. you can google for them, and blocking for example.

2. You can go look on their home page, to see if they make mention whether 
they block certain ports, or look at their terms of service.

3. Just set up DNS, your MTA, and let'r rip. See if you can send and 
receive mail... Might take a day or two for the DNS to kick in.

-- 
Gary