No, blocking a port does not restrict a customers use of the network any more than one way streets restrict access to downtown stores. It just forces certain traffic directions in a bicycle/motorcycle/car/van/ truck neutral manner. Carry anything you want. Others laws restrict incendiary content. On Oct 23, 2009, at 6:15 PM, Dan White wrote:
On 23/10/09 17:58 -0400, James R. Cutler wrote:
Blocking the well known port 25 does not block sending of mail. Or the message content.
It does block incoming SMTP traffic on that well known port.
I think the relevant neutrality principle is that traffic is not blocked by content.
My personal definition doesn't quite gel with that. You're deciding for the customer how they can use their connection, before you have any evidence of nefarious activity.
Would you consider restricting a customer's outgoing port 25 traffic to a specific mail server a step over the net neutrality line?
-- Dan White
James R. Cutler james.cutler@consultant.com