PowerVault ME4: Sending Notification Email fails when configured with TLS Security Protocol
Summary: A controller firmware upgrade is needed on PowerVault ME4 series to allow sending notification email alerts when the SMTP server uses TLS 1.2
Symptoms
On PowerVault ME4 when email alerts are configured choosing TLS Security Protocol using port 587, they may fail to send.
For example: When using smtp.office365.com as an SMTP server to sending email notification from a PowerVault ME4 array. After configuring SMTP Server, Sender Domain, Sender Name, using Port 587 with Security Protocol TLS. Email notification fails to reach the destination Email address.
In the ME4 event log, Event 611: "Email notification failed due to improper configuration. Please verify the sender, sender-password, domain parameters, and server settings" is reported. 
As documented in Microsoft Documents, in How to set up SMTP AUTH client submission the following settings will enable you to send email from your device or application.
| Device or Application setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Server/smart host | smtp.office365.com |
| Port | Port 587 (recommended) or port 25 |
| TLS/StartTLS | Enabled |
| Username/email address and password | Enter the sign in credentials of the hosted mailbox being used |
Requirements for SMTP AUTH client submission
-
Authentication: You must be able to configure a username and password to send email on the device. You cannot use Microsoft Security Defaults or multi-factor authentication (MFA), which disable basic authentication and are designed to protect your users from compromise. If your environment uses Microsoft Security Defaults or MFA, Microsoft recommend using Option 2 or 3 as documented in Microsoft How to Setup SMTP document .
-
Mailbox: You must have a licensed Microsoft 365 or Office 365 mailbox to send email from.
-
Transport Layer Security (TLS): Your device must be able to use TLS version 1.2 and above.
-
Port: Port 587 (recommended) or port 25 is required and must be unblocked on your network. Some network firewalls or ISPs block ports, especially port 25.
-
DNS: You must use the DNS name smtp.office365.com. Do not use an IP address for the Microsoft 365 or Office 365 server, as IP Addresses are not supported.
NOTE: SMTP sender password fields accept the only alphanumeric characters and ^ _ + : , . @. And also the sender password can have a maximum of 32 bytes. So they system won't accept password including "$" or any other symbols other than ^ _ + : , . @.
Cause
PowerVault ME4 series arrays up to controller firmware version GT280R009-02 use TLS 1.0 to send email alerts notification.
Devices must be able to use TLS Version 1.2 and above for sending emails using "smtp.office365.com" smtp server
Resolution
Upgrade the PowerVault ME4 controller firmware to version GT280R010-01.
- To obtain the controller firmware go to https://www.dell.com/support and either select your PowerVault model or enter the PowerVault ME4 service tag.
- From the Drivers & Downloads section download Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series Storage Controller Firmware GT280R010-01
- Guidance to apply the update can be found in the Dell PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Administrator’s Guide found under the ME4 Series Documentation section. For instructions navigate to Working in the System topic > Updating firmware