Verizon FiOS → Help with Port 25 issue

Hi folks. New member here, seeking assistance. I've got Fios internet, and I have also got a home generator that pushes out emails if it turns on, or if there's a problem of some sort. The generator is strictly limited to using port 25, and this can't be changed, as the software/firmware can't be updated. Until very recently, I was able to utilize outgoing.verizon.net as the smtp server that for some reason still was open to port 25, but within the last month that is gone. I cannot find another way to get emails out. There are some email services out there that use port 25 outbound, such as polarismail, but since it appears that Verizon is fully blocking that port I'm out of luck. I called Verizon, and they suggested I try setting up a DMZ, but that didn't work, either. I'm using a Netgear R7000 router, if that makes any difference.

Any ideas? I'm only moderately sophisticated when it comes to this stuff, so I am open to any suggestion. I am willing to change routers if that would help, even moving to a business router. I am thinking of setting up Ubiquiti AP's with a Ubiquiti router, so if that would make the solution easier please let me know that, as well. I also have read that a business account will open port 25, but I would rather not pay for that.

Would setting up some kind of home mail server work? If the generator sent email to it, using port 25 internally, could that mail server then relay it out to the world using an acceptable port? Intuitively, that seems like it could work, but it also sounds like a lot of work.

Thanks in advance. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Verizon has a policy of blocking port 25 on all accounts that have dynamic ip address services. You would need a business account with static ip in order to not have port 25 blocked.

A home server wouldn't work either since most email providers reject mail coming from a server that has a residential ip address.

As nyctrader mentioned, VZ blocks port 25 and has for a long time now...it's for security reasons and pretty much every email provider has switched to authenticated, secure ports for the same functions that the old, insecure port 25 was used for. Honestly, I think you're hosed on this...unless your generator manufacturer updates their notification system to something compatible with current Internet specifications. I know my Generac 22kv has no issue with notifications via email.

I have a client with the same situation (security gates not generator)….setup simple small email servers (Linux with postfix). One location running on a small slow ancient netbook, the other location using a synology box that is also a file/backup server.

They accept incoming email from the units....and send out (relay) to a regular account using proper ports and authentication.

A raspberry pi that receives unauthenticated mail on port 25 and relays it to the SSL or TLS ports on your ISP's mail server would be the most efficient method if you can set it up or get someone to do it for you.

Ok, thanks folks. That's pretty much what I expected. It's a little bit beyond the level of my current expertise, but I'll see if I can work it out.

Thanks again.