ARCHIVED: At IU, if I use an outside ISP, why can't I check my email using an IMAP client?

Note: If you connect to the Internet through an outside Internet service provider (ISP), such as BlueMarble, Comcast, or AT&T, and you use an IMAP email client to access your Indiana University Cyrus or Exchange account, this document applies to you. However, if you send mail using only IU Webmail or Outlook Web App, or if you use Microsoft Outlook to connect directly (i.e., not using the IMAP protocol) to your IU Exchange mailbox, the information here does not apply to you.

If your ISP recycles IP addresses it assigns to computers on its network, occasionally DNS information is deleted improperly. If your computer has one of these recycled IP addresses with improper or incomplete DNS information, it can cause your IMAP email client to time out or fail when it tries to connect to your Indiana University email account. The IU mail servers perform a reverse DNS look-up before allowing a connection, and an IP address with faulty DNS information will cause your connection to be refused.

To bypass this problem, make a VPN connection to IU before using your IMAP client to connect to your email account. To fix the problem, contact your ISP.

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